Average

Is a 2.7 GPA good?

Quick answer: A 2.7 GPA is a solid B- — sufficient for most state colleges and many merit-aid thresholds.

Letter grade

B-

Percentage

80-83%

Percentile

Bottom 30%

A 2.7 GPA is a B- average and puts you in roughly the 30th percentile of US high schoolers. It clears the C-average graduation bar comfortably, qualifies for most state college direct admission outside the selective flagships, and meets the 2.5+ threshold for many basic merit scholarships. It sits just below the 3.0 mark that unlocks the strongest renewal-bound scholarships and competitive transfer pathways.

A 2.7 cumulative GPA is the typical floor for many state-school transfer scholarships. UC's transfer pathway considers 2.7+ acceptable but the competitive admit range starts at 3.5+ — illustrating the gap between "admit-eligible" and "competitive" at this level.

What a 2.7 GPA means for college admissions

College tier accessible: Most state universities, regional privates, some larger publics
Ivy League chance: Not possible
State flagship chance: Match for less-selective flagships, below for top flagships
Merit scholarship impact: Meets most institutional 2.5+ thresholds.

How a 2.7 GPA compares to peers

A 2.7 GPA puts you in the bottom 30% of US high schoolers based on NCES grade-distribution data. On the standard 4.0 unweighted scale, it equals a B- letter grade (80-83%).

How to raise a 2.7 GPA

2.7 sits at the upper edge of "good enough." Below 2.7, doors start closing. At 2.7, most state schools and basic merit awards are open. The 0.3 from here to 3.0 is the high-leverage zone.
Honors-society admission usually starts at 3.0. National Honor Society, Beta Club, and most college Honor societies use 3.0 as the entry. A 2.7 puts you 0.3 from invitation — close enough to push for in a final semester.
CC pathway runs through 30 credits at 3.0+. A community college route with 3.0+ across 30 credits qualifies you for transfer to most state flagships — including Ohio State, Penn State, and the Cal State system.

GPA distribution data verified against primary source.

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Frequently asked questions

Is a 2.7 GPA good?

A 2.7 GPA is a B- average — solid for state college admission and most basic merit scholarships. It's below the 3.0+ threshold that more selective schools expect.

What is a 2.7 GPA?

A 2.7 GPA equals a B- letter grade, roughly 80-83% on US grading scales.