What Is a Passing Grade in College?

What Grade Do You Need To Pass a College Class?

Every college has its own policies on grading, but at most colleges, you need to earn a D or higher to pass an undergraduate course and a C or higher to pass a graduate course.

College instructors have a lot of freedom when it comes to determining students' grades. Some may base your final grade on a whole series of criteria, such as class participation, attendance, homework assignments, term papers, and exam scores. Others may base your final grade entirely on one or two criteria, such as a term paper and final exam score. Instructors typically provide students with a syllabus and possibly a grading rubric — a thorough explanation of grading criteria — at the beginning of each course, so students know what's expected of them.

College instructors may also use different grading systems. Some may use letter grades A, B, C, D, and F to communicate the quality of your work on all of your assignments. Others may use a numerical system, especially on test scores. For example, a test may be worth a certain number of points, and the percentage of points you earn on the test gets converted into a letter grade. In this situation, a 70 — meaning 70% — usually translates into a C, which is considered a passing grade. A 65, or possibly even a 60, often translates into a D, which may be considered a passing grade. It's also common for instructors to use some combination of numerical and letter grading systems to determine your final grade.

Is a D a Passing Grade?

Generally speaking, a D is a passing grade for an undergraduate course, allowing you to receive the appropriate amount of credits for taking the class. However, each school has its own policies, so it's best to check your school's website or contact your instructor or academic advisor if you think you may earn a D. For example, your school's policies may require you to earn a C or higher on your major core courses.

It's also important to understand that if you received a D because you struggled to understand the material in a course, you might have trouble passing more advanced courses that build on this information. If that is the case, you may want to retake the course.

What Is a Failing Grade in College?

At the undergraduate level, an F is a failing grade at most schools. If you fail a course, you will not receive credits for the course, nor will you have fulfilled the requirement for taking a course on that subject. You will need to retake the course. In graduate school, a D or an F may also require you to retake the course, depending on your school's grading policies.

What Are Pass/Fail Classes?

At many schools, you can opt to take a course on a pass/fail basis. This means that you will not receive a letter grade for the course but rather a final result of either pass — assuming you did a satisfactory level of work in the course — or fail. If you pass, your grade will not be factored into your GPA, but you will receive the appropriate amount of credits for the class, and you will have fulfilled the requirement to take the course. 

Taking a class on a pass/fail basis is a smart decision when you expect the course to be challenging and you're concerned about earning a good grade. The pass/fail option — if it's available at your school — allows you to fulfill your requirements and earn credits without risking a poor grade that could lower your overall GPA.

Is It Okay To Fail a College Class?

To put it bluntly, it is not okay to fail a college class. Failing a course can have serious consequences on your academic standing, and if poor grades become a persistent problem, you may be put on academic probation. If this happens and your grades don't improve, you may not be able to continue in your chosen major, and ultimately, you may not be allowed to attend your college. If you are put on academic probation, your academic advisor will work with you to form a plan to improve your performance.

Needing to retake a course you've failed can pose additional problems as well. Especially if the course is only offered annually or on a limited basis, failing it may prevent you from taking the courses that build upon the initial failed course, result in one or more additional semesters and the subsequent tuition and fees, and delay your graduation date.

The Importance of Passing Grades in College

Academic probation is just one possible outcome of failing your college courses. Below are three other potential long-term repercussions:

How To Avoid Failing a College Class

If you're concerned about your grades for a particular class, there are a number of steps you can take to avoid potential problems and improve your grades:

• Study the class syllabus and rubric carefully. Instructors usually make their grading policies very clear, so you know exactly what's expected of you. If you feel you need clarification, ask for it.

• Create a designated time and place for studying. Most colleges expect you to put in two hours of study time for every hour you spend in the classroom. In other words, you should anticipate devoting nine hours a week to every three-credit course. It's best to create a quiet place where you can focus during study time.

• Master the basics of studying. Studying is a skill, and if you haven't yet learned the best techniques for studying, consider brushing up on your studying skills at the beginning of each term.

• Ask for help. If you're really struggling with understanding the course material, you can ask several different people for assistance. The best choice may be your instructor, who will probably have office hours. This is your chance to sit with your instructor privately and review the material. Your school may also have free tutoring services, and some of your classmates may be willing to join you for a study group.

• Complete the easy tasks. Some instructors base their grades on a number of factors, including basics like attendance and class participation. If a class is challenging, make sure you earn as many points as possible for these easier requirements to help offset any poor grades on harder papers or exams. This is especially true for online courses, where you can score points simply by participating in class discussion boards or completing online homework.

• Consider withdrawing as a last resort. There may be times when you start taking a particularly difficult required course and then realize that you're just not going to do well. It may be better to formally withdraw and take the class later, perhaps when you can arrange for a lighter course load or expect to be in a better frame of mind for the course. However, too many withdrawals can also have negative consequences, so avoid this option if you can.

Bottom Line

Without a doubt, college courses require commitment and persistence. However, your school, your academic advisor, and your instructors all want you to succeed, which is why they provide numerous resources to help you achieve that goal. Remember to keep an eye on your grades as you go through each course, and stay out of the danger zone by reaching out for help when you need it.