Is Grade Inflation Bad?

Even though it might not seem like it on days when you get a test handed back, one of the prominent trends in higher education over the past few decades has been a steady increase in the average GPA’s of college students. In 1960, the average GPA was around a 2.5 (4.0 scale). By 1980, it was around 2.8 and in the 2000’s, approached 3.1.  Have people gotten smarter? No; based on the statistical concept of random sampling and psychological research of intelligence, the people in college today are more or less just as smart as students were in the past. The increase in GPA’s is simply because good grades are easier to get these days. The below chart shows the drastic increase in the number of A’s given over the last half century.

What does this mean for current college students? Let’s start with the good (and the obvious). Good grades are easier to get. This may help marginal students by increasing the likelihood they will grades satisfactory enough to stay in school and potentially even graduate. With the average GPA above 3.0, more students will have GPA’s worthy of being displayed on their resumes.

Unfortunately, there’s also some bad to go along with the good. For top students, it’s now a lot harder to stand out. Good grades won’t cut it anymore. To stand out, you now need other skills such as leadership and communication along with relevant experience. For others, grade inflation could potentially “inflate” their qualifications and lead to problems down the road.

Landon J. Latham

Career Educator