What Is the Average GPA for Psychology Majors?

Are you working on getting your college degree in psychology? Perhaps you're wondering what your ideal GPA, or grade point average, is.

If so, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll talk about the average GPA for psychology majors and answer related questions regarding GPA.

What is the Average GPA for Psychology Majors?

Psychology is one of the most popular undergraduate majors in the U.S., and hundreds of schools throughout the country offer psychology degree programs.

For this reason, it is difficult, if not impossible, to estimate the average GPA of all psychology students.

However, Professor Kevin Rask of Wake Forest University conducted a study on average GPA by major to determine which majors had the highest and lowest average GPAs.

Though this study was conducted at just one unnamed university, it is safe to assume that similar numbers would be gathered at other institutions.

The study found that psychology is among the five majors with the lowest average GPA. In this study, psychology majors had an average GPA of just 2.78.

Other low-GPA majors include biology, chemistry, math, and economics, with average GPAs ranging from 2.78 to 3.02.

Meanwhile, majors with the highest average GPA include English, music, education, religion, and language, with average GPAs ranging from 3.22 to 3.36.

Remember, these are the results of only one study and reflect numbers gathered at only one school.

Beyond this study, however, it is impossible to say what the average psychology major GPA is. The numbers simply haven't been quantified.

What is a 'Good GPA' for Psychology Majors?

If you are planning to pursue graduate school or hoping to give yourself an edge when pursuing entry-level employment, it's more important to have a 'good GPA' than an 'average GPA.'

But what constitutes a 'good GPA,' exactly?

You probably know that your GPA is a number denoting the average of all of your letter grades. If you have an A or A+ in all of your classes, your GPA will be around 4.0.

A B in all of your classes would produce a GPA of 3.0; all Cs would produce a GPA of 2.0; and so on. Most students have a mix of different grades, so their GPA falls somewhere in the middle of whole numbers.

The higher your GPA, the better because this indicates you are doing well in your classes and receiving good grades. Lower GPAs indicate subpar academic performance in one or more areas.

As a general rule, it's a good idea to try and keep your GPA above 3.0. If you plan on attending graduate school, a GPA of 3.5 to 3.7 will give you the best chance of acceptance into your preferred program.

That said, you should aim as high as possible. Attaining a GPA of up to 4.0 is challenging and requires academic prowess across a variety of subjects, but doing so can give you a leg up in your future endeavors.

So, a GPA between 3.0 and 4.0 would generally be considered a 'good GPA.' The better your overall grades, the higher your GPA will be.

Why is GPA Important?

Maintaining a good GPA is important for several reasons.

Many psychology majors choose to go on to graduate school after graduating with their bachelor's degree. Many pursue not only a master's degree but a doctoral degree as well.

Acceptance into master's and doctoral programs is highly competitive. Many factors determine whether you'll be accepted into your program of choice, but GPA may be one of the most important factors.

According to a webpage from Rutgers University, a grad school applicant's GPA 'may be the first criterion used to narrow the pool of applicants.'

In other words, schools often consider your GPA first to determine whether to reject your application immediately or give it a closer look.

Even if you don't plan to attend graduate school, keeping your GPA up throughout your undergraduate studies will give you a better chance of graduating on time and in good standing.

What's more, having a good GPA could give you a better chance of landing your first job, as it makes you a more desirable job candidate.

This is especially true of competitive careers or specific positions, where GPA may be used by employers much as it is used by grad school enrollment officers to narrow the pool of applicants.

How to Improve Your GPA

Now you know the importance of GPA and the ideal range you should be shooting for. What steps can you take to help yourself improve your GPA? Keep reading to find out.

Apply Yourself to Your Studies

There is no shortcut for hard work. Don't treat your college coursework lightly, pay attention in class, and put in the effort on your own time to learn the material and complete assignments.

Find a study time that works best for you and get into the habit of always studying at that time. Prioritize your studies even in non-psychology-related courses.

Remember, your GPA depends on how you perform in all of your courses. Apply yourself fully to getting the best grades possible even in the subjects that are difficult for you.

Be Realistic About Your Course Schedule

When planning your course load each semester, be careful not to overwhelm yourself. Have realistic expectations about the courses you plan to take and how quickly you can complete them.

Bear in mind that some courses may be more challenging for you than others. Find out what you can from peers and classmates about their experiences in specific classes or with specific professors.

Finally, if you work or have other responsibilities outside of school, consider how these responsibilities may affect your academic performance. Schedule courses that will fit best with your life.

Seek Extra Help

Finally, if you are struggling with particular courses or having a hard time keeping your grades up, it's okay to ask for help.

Speak with your academic adviser to find out about resources such as counseling sessions, workshops, and study groups that can help you improve your performance and manage stress levels.

Ask questions in class if you're having trouble understanding something, and if necessary, consider working one-on-one with a tutor. All of these methods can help you learn better, which in turn will help you improve your GPA.

Pursuing the Best Psychology Major GPA

Though the average psychology major GPA is around 2.78, a GPA of 3.0 to 3.5 or above can improve your chances of acceptance into grad school or the entry-level job of your choice.