I'm trying to set some long-term academic goals for myself, and I was wondering what GPA do most college students end up graduating with? Are there certain majors that tend to have lower or higher GPAs?
According to the data from the National Survey of Student Engagement, the average GPA of a college graduate is around 3.2. However, it's important to note that this can vary dramatically depending on the field of study and the particular college or university.
More challenging majors and those with a heavy quantitative component, like engineering and the natural sciences, often have lower average GPAs compared to those in social sciences or humanities. For example, the national average GPA for engineering majors hovers around 3.0, while English and sociology majors might see an average GPA closer to 3.3-3.5.
Also, smaller, liberal arts colleges tend to have slightly higher average GPAs than larger research universities. This is often attributed to more intimate class settings and different grading policies.
Remember though, your primary aim in college should never just be about earning a high GPA. It should be more focused on cultivating a deep understanding of the subjects that interest you, honing your critical thinking skills, and preparing for a future career or academic pursuits in your chosen field. College is also about personal growth and discovery, so make sure to balance your academic ambitions with extracurricular activities and social interactions.
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