Updated October 28, 2026.
In short: put your GPA on your resume if you are a student or recent graduate (roughly the last two to three years) and it is 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale — 3.5+ if you are applying to competitive fields such as investment banking, consulting or top law and graduate programs. Always include it if the job posting or application asks for it. Leave it off once you have a few years of work experience; by then your results matter more. The 3.0 cutoff is a common career-center guideline, not a rule employers publish.
Should you put your GPA on your resume?
| Your situation | GPA on resume? |
|---|---|
| Student or recent grad, GPA 3.5+ | Yes |
| Student or recent grad, GPA 3.0–3.49 | Yes, usually |
| GPA below 3.0, major GPA 3.0+ | List major GPA only, labeled |
| GPA below 3.0 overall and in major | Leave it off; highlight projects, work and skills |
| Posting or application asks for GPA | Always include it, whatever it is |
| 3+ years of full-time work experience | Leave it off (unless asked) |
| Applying to grad school | Include it; it is expected |
Employers are also putting less weight on grades than they used to. NACE's Job Outlook 2026 Spring Update notes a recruiting environment "increasingly based on skills… and less so on GPA and major" (NACE). A strong GPA still helps; a missing one rarely sinks an application outside a few grade-screening industries.
Where do you put your GPA on a resume?
In the education section, next to the degree it belongs to — on the same line as the degree and graduation date, or on the line directly below it. GPA is a fact about one degree, so it never goes in your header, summary or skills section.
Same line, when space is tight:
B.S. in Biology, University of Arizona — May 2026 — GPA: 3.7/4.0
Line below, when you also list honors:
B.A. in Economics — Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ — May 2025 GPA: 3.54/4.00 · Dean's List (4 semesters)
With two degrees, put each GPA under its own degree, and only for the ones that pass the cutoff. If you are still in school, label it "GPA to date" or list it next to your expected graduation date. Students and recent graduates usually place the whole education section above experience, which puts the GPA near the top of the page; once experience moves up, the GPA moves down with the degree.
How do you format GPA on a resume?
Put it in the education section, on the same line as the degree or the line below, to two decimal places with the scale:
Bachelor of Science in Accounting — Ohio State University, Columbus, OH — May 2026 GPA: 3.62/4.00 · Dean's List (6 semesters)
Other acceptable formats:
- GPA: 3.7
- Cumulative GPA: 3.45 · Major GPA: 3.81
- Major GPA: 3.6/4.0 (Finance)
Keep it on one line and use the same number of decimals everywhere.
Can you round your GPA up?
Only by normal rounding to one or two decimal places: 3.46 can become 3.5, but 3.44 cannot. Many employers verify GPA against transcripts, and a mismatch looks dishonest. When in doubt, use the exact figure to two decimals.
Should you list major GPA instead of overall GPA?
List major GPA when it is noticeably higher and relevant to the job — for example, a computer science major with a 3.7 major GPA and a 3.1 overall. Label it clearly as "Major GPA" so nobody mistakes it for the cumulative number. If an application form asks for cumulative GPA, give the cumulative number there.
What if your GPA is low?
Leave it off and let the rest of your education section work harder:
- Relevant coursework (see relevant coursework on a resume)
- Honors, scholarships or Dean's List semesters
- Capstone, thesis or major projects
- Internships (see how to list an internship)
If an employer asks, answer honestly and briefly — and point to what you did outside the classroom.
Where do Latin honors and Dean's List go?
On the same line as the degree or right under it: "B.A. in Economics, magna cum laude" or "Dean's List, Fall 2024 – Spring 2026." Honors can replace the GPA when they tell the same story more strongly.
When should you take your GPA off your resume?
Once you have about two to three years of relevant full-time experience, or after your second job — whichever comes first. At that point the space is better used for results. Keep it longer only in fields that still ask for it (some finance, consulting and government roles). For the rest of the education section — including unfinished degrees and expected graduation dates — see our dedicated guides, and build the section in the resume builder.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 3.0 GPA good enough to put on a resume?
Yes, 3.0 is the most common cutoff career centers suggest. For highly competitive employers, 3.5 is the more common threshold.
Should I put a 2.9 GPA on my resume?
Generally no, unless the application requires it. Consider listing major GPA if it is 3.0 or higher.
Should I include high school GPA?
Only if you are in high school or in your first year of college and have no college GPA yet.
Do employers check GPA?
Some do, especially for graduate programs and entry-level roles in finance, consulting and government. Assume any GPA you list can be verified.
How do I list GPA if my school doesn't use a 4.0 scale?
Show the scale you were graded on, e.g., "GPA: 8.6/10," or convert it only if the employer asks for a 4.0 equivalent.