Should I Put GPA on My Resume?
If you’re a student or fresh grad, you’ve probably stared at your 3.2 or 3.6 GPA wondering if it’s resume-worthy. It’s one of the most overestimated parts of a resume, especially by students. Most hiring managers don’t care after your first job. They barely look at it. What they’re really scanning for is:
- Can you do the work?
- Did you build something?
- Did you intern somewhere real?
If the GPA helps tell that story, keep it. If not, cut it.
When Should I Add My GPA to a Resume?
Include your GPA when:
✅ You're applying for an internship or entry-level job.
✅ You graduated recently (within the last 1-2 years).
✅ Your GPA is 3.5 or higher.
✅ The role expects strong academic performance (consulting, finance, law, some engineering or CS roles).
✅ It’s required (some job postings still ask.)
That’s it.
If you’re still in college and wondering “should I put my current GPA on my resume?”, go ahead if it’s above 3.5 and you’re applying for internships or entry-level roles. It might be one of the only metrics you have. That’s fine. But don’t make it the headline of your resume.
A good summary section matters more than your GPA. Here are some resume summary examples for some inspiration.
When You Should Not Add Your GPA
- You’re not proud of it.
- You’re not a student.
- You’ve got actual experience.
That’s it. GPA doesn’t help if it makes you look worse. If you’ve shipped code, led a team, launched a feature, improved a process, talk about that.
Should I Put a 3.2 GPA on My Resume?
This is the gray zone.
- 3.5? Absolutely.
- 3.2? Maybe.
- Below 3.0? Probably not.
The hiring manager doesn’t want to play detective. If your GPA is on the page, they’ll read it. If it’s weak, it weakens everything else. If you’ve got better ammo, use that instead.
But What If They Ask?
Then be honest. Mention it in conversation. Or list it if it's required. But you don’t have to spotlight it. There’s no rule that says GPA has to go on your resume. Especially not in bold, font size 16, next to your name. (Yes, I’ve seen that.)
Should I Put My GPA on My Resume for Internships or Entry-Level Jobs?
If you’re applying for your first role and GPA is the only number you’ve got, include it. Especially if it's a 3.6 GPA, or higher. But pair it with something better. A project, a GitHub repo or anything else that shows value.
Because a 4.0 tells me you did the homework. A project tells me you can do the job.
Engineering, CS, Finance? The Rules Shift
Reddit is full of:
“Should I put GPA on resume CS?”
“Should I put GPA on resume engineering?”
Here’s our recommendation:
- Big tech? Yes, especially if you're early-career
- Finance/consulting? GPA is still part of the equation
- Everyone else? Results > academic stats
GPA helps when there’s nothing else. But if you have real-world work experience, nothing beats that.
What GPA should I put on my resume: Major GPA, Cumulative GPA, or Weighted GPA?
Not sure what GPA you should put on your resume? If your major GPA is stronger and relevant to the job, use that. If your cumulative GPA is better and accurate, go with that instead. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Major GPA: List it if it’s higher and relevant to the job.
- Cumulative GPA: Only if it’s strong and accurate.
- Weighted GPA: Skip it. It doesn’t belong on resumes unless explicitly asked.
And no high school GPA unless you're still in high school. Still unsure what GPA to put? Use this: whichever number you’re not afraid of them seeing.
Better Alternatives to Listing Your GPA
If your GPA is so-so or irrelevant, use that space for things like:
- Skills that match the job description
- Projects that solve real problems
- A short, punchy summary at the top
- Bullet points that show impact
- Keywords that matter to the hiring team
Real signals > vanity metrics.
What About CVs?
That's a different game altogether. If you’re applying to grad school, academia, or research, GPA still counts. So yes, put GPA on your CV. It belongs there. But if you’re going corporate? Tailor your resume, not your transcript.
TL;DR: Put GPA on your resume only if it helps you get hired.
Should You Put GPA on Resume in 2025?
Most people overthink this.
They’re afraid of hiding their GPA. They’re afraid of showing it. They’re afraid of looking dishonest.
Here’s a better approach:
If it makes your resume stronger, add it. If it doesn’t, then cut it and write something better.