Is Harvard Grading Too Easily? New Report Sparks Campus Uproar

Harvard University is facing renewed scrutiny over grade inflation after a new internal report found that roughly 60% of all undergraduate grades issued in 2024–25 were A’s, more than double the rate seen just two decades ago.

The median GPA at graduation has climbed to 3.83, raising questions about whether traditional grading still reflects student performance at the nation’s most selective college.

The report argues the current system is “failing to perform the key functions of grading,” while many students say they already endure intense academic pressure and feel the university is suddenly shifting standards after admitting them for their strong academic records.

Faculty members, especially new hires, expressed concern that grading has grown significantly more lenient; some fear changing policies could reduce course enrollment.

Proposed reforms include introducing A-plus grades and displaying the median grade for every course on transcripts to give employers and graduate programs better context.

The debate isn’t new, Harvard raised concerns about easy A’s as far back as 1894, but the stakes feel higher now as the national conversation around academic rigor reaches elite campuses.