Frequently Asked Questions

Is C- Considered a Passing Grade?

Yes, a C- is usually considered a passing grade for earning course credit, but it often sits right at the edge of what schools accept for prerequisites, majors, and graduation requirements. In many high schools and colleges, you will get credit for a C-, yet specific programs may require at least a C or higher.

To be certain, you must check your own school or program’s official policies.

What “passing” actually means with a C-

Before you decide how worried to be about a C-, it helps to separate two ideas: earning credit and meeting requirements.

Here is the key point:

Passing for credit means you completed the course and it counts toward the total credits you need to graduate.
Meeting a requirement means the grade is high enough to satisfy a specific rule, like a prerequisite, major requirement, or minimum GPA.

A C- often passes for credit but may not be high enough to meet a requirement.

For example, a school might say:

“A D- is the minimum passing grade for graduation credit,” but
“You must earn at least a C in Algebra II to take Precalculus.”

In that case, a C- passes for graduation credit, but you might need to repeat Algebra II or get special permission to move on.

Typical grading scales for C-

Most U. S.

schools use a 4. 0 scale and letter grades.

While grading policies vary, a C- commonly falls in this range:

C- = about 70–72% (sometimes 68–71%)
GPA equivalent = about 1.7 on a 4.0 scale
Letter description = often viewed as “below average” but still satisfactory for basic completion

But there is a catch:

Some high schools and colleges don’t use a C- at all—they may jump directly from C to D+—or they may assign a slightly different GPA value, like 1. 67 instead of 1.

To avoid guessing, always confirm using:

Your school’s student handbook or catalog
Your online portal’s grading policy section
A quick email to your counselor or academic advisor

Is C- passing in high school?

In many U. S.

high schools, a C- is considered a passing grade for course credit, though the exact cutoff can vary by district or state.

The class usually counts toward the total credits needed to graduate.
You typically do not have to automatically repeat the class just because you earned a C-.
It will appear on your transcript and factor into your GPA.

However, “passing” in high school can be more complicated than it looks.

When a C- can cause problems in high school

A C- might still create issues in situations like these:

Prerequisite courses: Your school may require a C or higher to move on to the next level, such as advanced math or honors English.
Honors or AP placement: Some programs expect a solid B average or higher in prerequisite subjects.
Graduation requirements by subject: A district could require at least a C in certain core classes, even if a lower grade is technically passing for credit.
Eligibility for activities: Sports, band, or clubs may set higher grade or GPA minimums than the school’s basic passing standard.

So what should you take from this?

If your C- is in a core subject and you hope to take advanced classes or apply to more selective colleges, treat it as a warning sign. It is not a disaster on its own, but it is a signal to adjust your study habits and support systems.

Is C- passing in college?

In college, a C- is often technically passing for credit, but more detailed rules usually apply by major, program, or requirement type.

Common patterns at many colleges include:

General education or elective classes: A C- may count for credit and can satisfy a requirement if the catalog specifies “C- or better.”
Major or prerequisite courses: Many departments require a minimum of C (not C-) in specific courses. A C- can mean you must retake the class to progress.
GPA-based standing: C- grades lower your GPA and can affect financial aid, academic probation, or graduation eligibility.

Some colleges are stricter and treat a C- as not passing for particular categories, especially in professional or competitive programs.

Examples of college policies you might see

College catalogs often use language like:

“Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses required for the major.”
“A grade of C- or higher is required to satisfy the first-year writing requirement.”
“Courses in which a student earns below a C cannot be counted toward the major but may count as elective credit.”

These differences matter, because the same C- might be fine in one class yet require a retake in another.

How a C- affects your GPA

Your GPA is the weighted average of your grades. Even if a C- is technically passing, several of them can pull your GPA below important cutoffs for programs or aid.

Typical 4. 0 scale values look like this, though your school may vary slightly:

A = 4.0
A- = 3.7
B+ = 3.3
B = 3.0
B- = 2.7
C+ = 2.3
C = 2.0
C- = about 1.7
D+ = 1.3
D = 1.0
F = 0.0

The bottom line is important here.

One C- in an otherwise strong record may barely move your GPA. But if several classes are at the C- level, you might fall below common thresholds for scholarships, academic standing, or continued enrollment.

You could slip under a 3.0, which can affect some honors or aid programs.
You might drop below a 2.0 in college, which can trigger academic warning or probation.
You may risk falling under GPA minimums for athletic eligibility or specific majors.

How colleges view a C- in admissions

For admissions, the real question is not only “Is C- passing? ” but “What does a C- say about your preparation and potential?

”

Most colleges look more at your overall transcript than at any single grade, yet a C- can stand out depending on context and timing.

If you’re in high school now

Here’s how a C- might look to admissions officers:

In a non-core elective, like an introductory art or tech class: usually not a major concern if the rest of your record is strong.
In a core academic class, such as English, math, science, history, or language: more concerning, especially if it becomes a pattern.
In a class related to your intended major: can raise questions about readiness, for example, a C- in algebra for a prospective engineering student.

Selective and highly selective colleges often examine any C-range grades closely, especially in junior and senior year core classes.

So how does this play out in practice?

One isolated C- surrounded by mostly As and Bs is rarely a deal-breaker.
Multiple C- grades, particularly in increasingly advanced courses, can limit options at more competitive schools.
Clear upward trends—moving from C-range to B+/A-range—can help offset an earlier C-.

If you’re already in college and planning to transfer or apply to grad school

Transfer and graduate programs will pay attention to:

Your overall GPA and whether it trends up over time.
Grades in courses most relevant to your intended field.
Patterns of repeated courses, withdrawals, or low grades in key prerequisites.

A single C- is rarely disqualifying, but several low grades in important courses can weaken your application and competitiveness.

When you may need to repeat a C- course

Even if a C- is listed as “passing,” you might still want—or be required—to repeat the course under certain conditions.

Common reasons to retake include:

Prerequisite rules: You need at least a C to take the next class in a sequence.
Major requirements: Your program requires higher than a C- in core or gateway classes.
Low GPA: You are trying to raise your cumulative GPA above a cutoff such as 2.0, 2.5, or 3.0.
Preparation gaps: You do not feel confident in the material and worry it will hurt you in later coursework.

Here is where policies diverge a lot.

Some high schools allow grade replacement, where only the higher grade counts toward GPA.
Other schools average both grades, or list both but only use the higher one for prerequisite checks.
Colleges may limit how many times you can repeat a class or how repeats affect financial aid status.

Before retaking a course, talk with your counselor or advisor so you understand the impact on your transcript, GPA, and timeline to graduation.

What to do if you currently have, or are headed toward, a C-

If you see a C- on a progress report—or you have just received a final grade and feel disappointed—focus on clear next steps rather than only the label “passing. ”

Step 1: Clarify what “passing” means at your school

Look up your school or college’s grading policy in the handbook or catalog.
Find sections on “minimum passing grade,” “repeating courses,” and “major or prerequisite requirements.”
Confirm whether a C- satisfies the rule for this specific class, such as a general education or major requirement.

Step 2: Talk to the right people

Instead of guessing about policies or outcomes, ask directly.

In high school, talk to your school counselor and, if relevant, your coach or activity advisor.
In college, meet with your academic advisor, major advisor, or a student success office.
If you might retake the course, ask the instructor what they recommend you do differently next time.

Step 3: Address the causes of the C-

Rather than hoping future grades improve on their own, identify what led to the C-.

Time management: Were you late on assignments or cramming before tests?
Study strategies: Did you rely mostly on re-reading instead of active practice, like problem sets or self-quizzing?
Support use: Did you attend office hours, tutoring, or help sessions when you were confused?
Outside factors: Were health, work, or family issues affecting your performance?

Once you understand the reasons, you can create a concrete plan to avoid repeating the pattern in future classes.

Step 4: Build a support system for the next term

Looking ahead, you can set yourself up for work above the C- level by planning intentionally.

Block weekly study time for each class in your calendar, not just due dates.
Use school resources such as writing centers, math labs, tutoring, or study groups.
Check your grades regularly so you catch problems by week three or four, not at the end.
Meet with teachers or professors early if you do not understand feedback or expectations.

The key idea is encouraging.

Colleges and future employers usually care more about your overall pattern—effort, growth, and resilience—than a single C- on its own.

Special situations: grading policies that change what “passing” means

There are a few cases where the usual “C- is passing” assumption might not apply, even if you are doing similar work.

Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit classes

In pass/fail or credit/no credit systems, letter grades may not appear on your transcript for that course, but a cutoff still exists behind the scenes.

Some schools treat performance at roughly the D- level or higher as “Pass.”
Others require performance at the C or C- level to earn “Pass.”
A “No Pass” typically means you must retake the course if it is required.

Always confirm how your school translates percentages or letter grades into “Pass” or “No Pass. ”

Weighted, honors, AP, or IB grades

If your high school uses weighted GPAs, a C- in an AP or honors class can still hurt your unweighted GPA but might not reduce your weighted GPA as much because of extra points.

However, selective colleges often look first at your unweighted core GPA to understand your actual performance, then consider the rigor of your schedule.

If an AP or honors class feels overwhelming, a regular-level course with stronger grades might be a better fit.
One strategic schedule change can sometimes prevent multiple low grades later on.

State or program-specific minimums

Some states, scholarship programs, or professional majors set minimum acceptable grades above simple “passing” levels.

State scholarship or aid programs may require specific high school or college GPAs.
Licensure pathways, such as teaching or nursing, often require at least a C in key courses.
Honors programs may require you to keep grades in program courses above a stated threshold.

Those rules can make a C- feel more like a near miss than a comfortably passing grade.

How to talk about a C- on applications

If a C- significantly affected your transcript and you are worried about admissions, you can address it briefly and strategically.

Use the “Additional Information” section of applications to explain major disruptions that contributed to the grade, if relevant.
Highlight clear improvement in later semesters or years, especially in the same subject area.
Show the steps you took, such as tutoring or new study habits, to prevent the issue from recurring.

Keep the tone responsible and solution-focused: provide context without shifting blame.

Admissions readers understand that students are human. They are looking for patterns, context, and evidence of growth over time.

Key takeaways: Is C- considered passing?

A C- is usually passing for credit in both high school and college, but it often sits at the low end of passing grades.
A C- may not meet minimum requirements for prerequisites, majors, honors programs, or scholarships.
Even when it is technically passing, a C- can lower your GPA and limit future options if it becomes a pattern.
You can often recover from a C- with better habits, smart course choices, and, when appropriate, repeating a class.
The most important step is to check your school’s specific policies and make a plan based on your academic and college goals.

If you want personalized guidance on how a C- fits into your overall academic and college admissions picture, consider scheduling a consultation with an Empowerly counselor. We can help you interpret your transcript, plan next steps, and build a strategy that keeps your options open.