Is a 1.5 GPA good?
A 1.5 GPA is an average between a D+ and a C- — about a C- / D+ average and roughly 68–72%. Here's what it means in high school and college, and how to move it.
What a 1.5 GPA means
On the standard unweighted 4.0 scale, a 1.5 GPA is an average between a D+ and a C-. It maps to about a C- / D+ letter grade and roughly 68–72% as a percentage. For reference, the average U.S. high school GPA is around 3.0, so a 1.5 sits below that midpoint.
Is a 1.5 GPA good?
For high school students: This is a low high school GPA that makes selective admission difficult, but it isn't the end of the road. Community college, a strong upward trend, and later transfer are well-worn paths to a four-year degree.
For college students: In college a GPA this low often triggers academic probation and falls short of most scholarship and program minimums. A focused recovery plan — lighter loads, support resources, and retakes where allowed — is the way back.
Where a 1.5 GPA falls on the scale
The row nearest your GPA is highlighted. Percentage bands are the common U.S. convention — your school's exact cutoffs may differ slightly.
| GPA | Letter | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | A | 93–100% |
| 3.7 | A- | 90–92% |
| 3.3 | B+ | 87–89% |
| 3.0 | B | 83–86% |
| 2.7 | B- | 80–82% |
| 2.3 | C+ | 77–79% |
| 2.0 | C | 73–76% |
| 1.7 | C- | 70–72% |
| 1.3 | D+ | 67–69% |
| 1.0 | D | 65–66% |
| 0.0 | F | Below 65% |
How to raise a 1.5 GPA
Because GPA is credit-weighted, focus first on your highest-credit and easiest-to-improve courses. Use the target GPA planner to see the average you'd need next term to reach a goal, and the final grade calculator to know the score required on each final. Retaking a course where your school replaces the grade can move the number quickly.
Colleges you can target with a 1.5 GPA
Filter by state or search by name. Likely / Match / Reach compares your GPA to each school’s typical admitted average.
Average GPA figures are approximate, unweighted, typical admitted-student averages compiled for guidance only — always confirm current requirements with each college. Chances compare your GPA to each school’s average and don’t account for test scores, essays, course rigor, or residency.