Should You Put Your GPA on a Resume in 2025?

Whether you should include your GPA on your resume is not a simple yes-or-no answer. Employers are split on how much a grade point average actually matters in the hiring process, with some treating it as a quick filter and others focusing more on professional experience and proven skills. The key for candidates is knowing when a strong GPA can strengthen a job application and when it is better to let work experience and achievements do the talking. This guide will walk you through how hiring managers interpret GPA today, when to highlight it, and when to leave it off so you can make the smartest choice for your career.

What Does GPA on a Resume Really Mean?

At its core, a GPA on a resume signals how well you performed academically. A strong grade point average suggests consistent effort, discipline, and the ability to meet high expectations across courses. For students and recent graduates, it can serve as a stand-in for professional experience, giving potential employers something measurable to evaluate.

Employers, however, do not all weigh GPA the same way. Many recruiters see it as a good indicator of work ethic, but they also know academic performance does not always translate directly into job performance. The current job market reflects this tension. According to the NACE 2025 Job Outlook report, 47% of employers plan to screen candidates by GPA, up from just 37% in 2023. This rebound shows GPA is regaining attention as a quick filter, especially in entry-level hiring, but it is still only one piece of the overall picture. Professional skills, internships, and relevant projects often carry equal or greater weight.

Cumulative GPA vs. Major GPA: What’s the difference?

When listing GPA on your resume, you may include either your cumulative GPA or your major GPA. A cumulative GPA reflects every class you took in college or university, while a major GPA focuses only on courses within your chosen field of study. If your cumulative GPA is solid but not outstanding, and your major GPA is higher, emphasizing the latter can highlight your academic abilities in the subjects most relevant to the job. Just be sure to label it clearly to avoid confusion. For example, “Major GPA: 3.7/4.0” helps hiring managers see exactly what is being measured. Keep decimal places consistent with what appears on your transcript, and only round if it still accurately reflects your record.

When It Makes Sense to Include Your GPA

You’re still in school or are a recent graduate

If you are a student or have recently graduated and have less than 2–3 years of work experience, your resume likely leans heavily on educational achievements. In this stage, a GPA on a resume gives employers a measurable sense of your academic abilities before you have built much professional experience. Including your grade point average shows commitment and discipline, especially if you’re applying for your first job or internships.

You’ve earned a strong GPA

A high GPA signals more than good grades. It demonstrates consistency, focus, and the ability to excel under pressure. If your GPA is 3.5 or above, it can strengthen your application and differentiate you from other candidates. Listing it alongside honors such as magna cum laude, summa cum laude, or Dean’s List gives your educational background extra weight and shows you went beyond minimum expectations.

Your field or employer specifically values GPA

Some industries rely on GPA as a quick filter. Consulting firms, large financial institutions, and prestigious law programs often set explicit GPA thresholds in their hiring process. For these roles, a good GPA is not optional, but more so expected. Including your GPA in these applications shows you meet the standard and signals you understand the competitive landscape.

Your GPA helps fill gaps in experience

When your work history is limited, a strong GPA can help balance the resume. It provides evidence of discipline and problem-solving skills, which employers may see as transferable to the workplace. This is especially useful when applying for competitive programs, graduate opportunities, or your first full-time role, where every detail counts.

When You Should Leave Your GPA Off

You have several years of professional experience

Once you have built a few years of work experience, your achievements in the workplace matter more than academic metrics. At this stage, hiring managers want to see results, leadership, and impact. NACE data shows nearly two-thirds of employers now emphasize skills over GPA, so if you have been in the workforce for three or more years, it is usually better to omit GPA and focus on accomplishments that demonstrate value.

Your GPA is below the “impressive” threshold

A GPA in the low 3s, such as 3.0–3.4, does not reflect poorly on your work ethic, but it may raise unnecessary questions if highlighted. If your resume already shows strong professional experience, avoid listing GPA altogether. In most cases, relevant work experience, internships, and demonstrated skills carry more weight than a number that does not stand out.

Your academic honors already say it for you

If your degree includes honors, such as magna cum laude, summa cum laude, or consistent Dean’s List recognition, your educational achievements already speak for themselves. Listing GPA alongside those titles can feel redundant. Employers understand the standards behind those distinctions, so it is better to use resume space for more impactful details.

The employer didn’t ask for it

Not every job application requires a GPA. If the employer did not request it, use the space to highlight leadership roles, technical skills, or project outcomes. Resume space is limited, and every bullet point should strengthen your application. A GPA on a resume adds little when other accomplishments show what you can contribute.

Where to Put GPA on a Resume

The Education section is the standard

Your GPA belongs in the education section of your resume, listed under the university or institution where you earned the degree. This keeps the information organized and tied directly to your academic record. Placing your resume GPA here ensures hiring managers can quickly see it alongside your degree, graduation date, and any honors or distinctions.

How to format it clearly

Clarity matters. Write it as “GPA: 3.8/4.0” so it accurately reflects what appears on your transcript. If you studied outside the United States, convert your score into the U.S. 4.0 scale to avoid confusion. For example, a 9/10 GPA or an 85% average can be translated to a 3.7 on the 4.0 scale. Huntr’s Q2 2025 Job Search Trends Report found that resumes leading to interviews included slightly longer education descriptions (100 characters vs. 86). That means you should not only list a number, but also add context with honors, coursework, or awards to make the education section stronger.

(Pro Tip: If you’re unsure whether your education section is strong enough, Huntr’s AI Resume Review can instantly give you professional-level feedback on whether your GPA, coursework, or honors are helping or hurting your application in under five minutes.)

Should you list both overall GPA and major GPA?

If your major GPA is significantly higher than your cumulative GPA, you may want to include both. This is useful when your major directly relates to the role you are applying for. Be specific in labeling: “Overall GPA: 3.2, Major GPA: 3.7.” Clear distinctions prevent hiring managers from misinterpreting the numbers and show that your strongest academic performance was in the most relevant area.

Positioning education for recent grads vs. experienced professionals

For recent graduates, the education section often appears before work experience, and GPA should be featured if it strengthens the resume. Once you gain more professional experience, education can shift below work history, and GPA can be removed altogether. Tailor placement based on where it adds the most value, and keep in mind that resume space should highlight what best qualifies you for the job.

How to Make Your GPA Work Harder for You

Pair it with academic honors and awards

If you choose to include GPA on your resume, strengthen it by adding academic honors. Listing distinctions, such as magna cum laude, summa cum laude, or Dean’s List, shows that your educational achievements extend beyond a single number. These honors titles demonstrate consistency and signal to employers that you maintained strong academic abilities across multiple semesters.

Add context with relevant coursework or projects

Numbers alone do not tell the full story. Pair your GPA with courses or projects that relate directly to the role you are targeting. For example, a computer science student applying for a software role might list a high GPA alongside advanced programming classes or a capstone project. This approach connects your academic record to practical development and makes the GPA more meaningful to employers.

Show consistency with the Dean’s List or scholarships

If you were repeatedly recognized for strong academic performance, highlight it. Mentioning multiple semesters on the Dean’s List or scholarships awarded for academic merit shows long-term consistency rather than a single strong semester. This adds depth to your educational profile and demonstrates reliability over time.

Connect GPA to skills employers care about

GPA is not just about grades; it signals transferable skills. Frame it as evidence of discipline, problem-solving, and time management. For instance, balancing a demanding course load while maintaining a strong GPA demonstrates focus and resilience, which are qualities hiring managers want to see. When GPA on your resume is tied directly to professional abilities, it becomes more than an academic statistic.

(Pro Tip: Instead of stressing over how to phrase projects or achievements, use Huntr’s Resume Bullet Generator to quickly turn your coursework, leadership, or honors into polished bullet points that highlight your academic abilities in employer-friendly language.)

What to Do if Your GPA is Lower Than You’d Like

Focus on internships, part-time jobs, and volunteer experience

If your GPA on your resume feels underwhelming, shift the spotlight to relevant work experience. Internships, part-time roles, and volunteer work all demonstrate initiative and practical abilities. Employers value evidence that you can contribute to a team and handle responsibilities, even if your academic record is not perfect.

Showcase projects and extracurricular leadership

Projects and leadership roles often tell a stronger story than grades. Whether you led a student organization, managed a campus event, or built a project outside of class, highlight those experiences. They show employers that you can take ownership, solve problems, and deliver results, which are all qualities that outweigh a modest GPA.

Highlight professional certifications or online courses

Certifications and online courses add credibility and show commitment to professional development. Listing a certification in project management, coding, or design signals that you are building relevant skills independently. For many hiring managers, these credentials demonstrate more career readiness than a GPA number.

Tell your story through skills, not numbers

When GPA is not a selling point, frame your job application around skills. Use bullet points to demonstrate communication, teamwork, or technical abilities developed through work and extracurriculars. Employers care about how you can add value today, not just how you performed in classes. By showing what you can do, you prove that you are more than a number on a transcript.

(Pro Tip: If your GPA isn’t your strongest asset, Huntr’s AI Resume Builder and Resume Keyword Scanner can help you highlight the skills and certifications that matter most for each job description, so hiring managers see your value right away.)

GPA and Industry Expectations in 2025

Fields where GPA still matters

Some industries continue to weigh GPA heavily in the hiring process. Finance, consulting, and certain technical roles often treat a high GPA as a baseline requirement, particularly for recent graduates. In these fields, employers may expect to see at least a 3.5 GPA listed on a job application, especially for competitive internships or graduate hiring programs. For candidates with degrees in business, economics, or science, GPA remains a quick filter for hiring managers deciding who advances to interviews.

Fields where GPA rarely comes up

In roles where creativity, persuasion, or portfolio work matter most, GPA holds little weight. Companies in marketing, sales, design, and media care more about professional experience and tangible results than classroom performance. Hiring managers in these industries often prefer to see how candidates built campaigns, drove growth, or demonstrated innovation rather than whether they had a strong GPA on their resume.

The rise of skills-first hiring and GPA’s declining importance

Across industries, many employers are shifting toward skills-first hiring models. NACE reported that a majority of companies now prioritize demonstrated abilities and relevant work experience when evaluating candidates. Meanwhile, Coursera’s 2025 survey also echoes this trend, stating 99% of businesses are adopting or exploring skills-based approaches to hiring. This shift means GPA on your resume is becoming less central to career development. Instead, recruiters want proof of technical skills, problem-solving, and adaptability.

How school prestige can influence how GPA is viewed

While GPA can carry weight, school reputation often shapes how employers interpret it. A 3.4 from a highly selective university may be viewed more favorably than a 3.8 from a regional institution. Employers sometimes consider the rigor of the college or degree program as much as the number itself. For candidates, this means GPA on a resume should always be presented in the broader context of the school and field of study.

Examples of GPA on Resumes

Standard example (GPA listed under degree)

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Michigan
GPA: 3.72

This straightforward format is the most common way to include your GPA on a resume. It keeps the education section clear and ensures the GPA accurately reflects your academic performance.

Major GPA highlighted instead of overall GPA

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, New York University
Overall GPA: 3.28 | Major GPA: 3.85

This format works well when your cumulative GPA is lower than your performance in core classes. Listing both helps avoid confusion while showing that you excelled in the coursework most relevant to your job application.

GPA paired with Latin honors

Bachelor of Arts in History, Boston College, Magna Cum Laude
GPA: 3.90

Pairing GPA with an honors title strengthens the education section. It highlights both a high cumulative GPA and the recognition your institution awarded for academic excellence.

Resume example without GPA (and what to show instead)

Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Texas at Austin
Dean’s List, 2022–2024
Relevant Coursework: Financial Modeling, Business Analytics
Capstone Project: Built a market-entry strategy for a global retail brand

In this version, GPA is omitted, but the education section still makes an impact by showcasing honors, coursework, and projects.

(Pro Tip: Not sure which version of your resume will perform best? Huntr’s Job Tailored Resumes and Resume Checker can score your resume against real job postings and show you which approach (with or without GPA) makes the strongest impression.)

Conclusion

The decision to include your GPA on your resume depends entirely on context. For students and recent graduates, GPA can still be a valuable signal of academic discipline and potential. For candidates with professional experience, skills, results, and career achievements matter far more to hiring managers and employers than a number from school. The best advice is to use GPA strategically, adding it when it strengthens a job application and leaving it off when your work experience speaks louder. Remember, the goal is not to check a box but to present yourself as the most qualified candidate. If you want help tailoring every resume to highlight what matters most, sign up for Huntr today to make the process faster and more effective.