What grades are considered failing in college?

I'm trying to understand grading in college, and I've heard that a 'C' is failing for some programs. How are grades typically categorized in college, and what should I watch out for to stay in good academic standing?

Grading in college often depends on the specific institution, the course, and sometimes even the professor. However, to give you a general overview, college grading typically follows a letter grading system:

- 'A' grade usually correlates with excellent or outstanding work usually ranging from 90-100%.

- 'B' grade is indicative of good or above-average work, often in the range of 80-89%.

- 'C' grade usually corresponds to average or satisfactory work, often ranging from 70-79%.

Here is where your question comes in: The 'C' grade is not typically considered failing in most institutions. However, for certain competitive majors, graduate school programs, or scholarship retention, a 'C' may be considered below the expected standard.

- 'D' grade often signifies below-average work, usually in the range of 60-69%. Again, this is usually not considered failing but is generally viewed as unsatisfactory in many academic situations.

- 'F' grade stands for 'fail', usually when a student earns below 60%.

An additional grade you might encounter is 'I' for incomplete. If a student has not finished all required coursework by the end of the semester, they may receive an 'I' until the work is completed, after which a different grade is assigned.

As for maintaining good academic standing, a GPA of a 2.0 (equivalent to a 'C' average) is generally considered the minimum at most colleges. This can vary either way depending on the institution. For students pursuing specific majors, especially in STEM or pre-medical programs, a 'C' might be viewed as underperforming. Graduate schools also typically look for higher GPA averages like 3.0 or above (B average). The most competitive programs may have even higher expectations.

Lastly, always touch base with your advisors or professors if you have any concerns about your academic progress. They are there to assist you and guide you towards academic success.