At most colleges, a D is the lowest passing grade, which typically translates to 60% or above on a percentage scale. But “passing” and “counting toward your degree” are not always the same thing, and the distinction matters more than the bare minimum letter grade.
The Minimum Passing Grade
A D (or at some schools, a D-minus) will technically earn you credit for a course at most undergraduate institutions. On a standard grading scale, that means scoring at least 60%. Anything below that range is an F, which earns zero credit hours and pulls down your GPA.
Graduate programs set a higher bar. Most require at least a C or C-minus to pass a class. Earning a D in a graduate course often counts the same as failing it.
Why a D Often Isn’t Enough
Even though a D is technically passing, many programs won’t accept it for courses in your major, minor, or general education requirements. Schools commonly require a C-minus or higher for those courses to count toward your degree. If you earn a D in a required course, you may need to retake it even though the grade isn’t an F.
This creates a frustrating situation: you passed the class on paper, the grade still affects your GPA, but you don’t get closer to graduation. Before settling for a low grade in a required course, check your program’s catalog or academic advisor to find out the minimum grade that actually satisfies the requirement.
Pass/Fail Courses Have a Higher Cutoff
If you elect to take a course on a pass/fail basis, the threshold for earning a “P” is usually higher than a D. At many universities, you need a C-minus or better for the registrar to convert your letter grade to a Pass. Anything below a C-minus becomes an F on your transcript. That means a D, which would have been a passing grade under normal grading, turns into a failing mark under the pass/fail option. Keep this in mind before switching a course to pass/fail late in the semester.
How Grades Affect Financial Aid
Federal financial aid requires you to maintain satisfactory academic progress, or SAP. Every school sets its own SAP policy, but the two components are universal: you need to keep your cumulative GPA above a certain threshold (commonly 2.0, which is a C average), and you need to complete a minimum percentage of the credits you attempt each semester. Failing or withdrawing from too many courses can put you on financial aid probation or make you ineligible entirely.
A string of D grades can quietly erode your GPA to the point where your aid is at risk, even though you technically passed every class. If you’re receiving grants, loans, or scholarships, aim for at least a C average across your courses to stay in good standing.
When Retaking a Class Makes Sense
Most colleges allow you to retake a course, and many have a grade replacement policy where the new grade either replaces the old one in your GPA calculation or is averaged with it. Retaking is worth considering in a few situations: the course is required for your major and a D doesn’t satisfy the requirement, the low grade is dragging your GPA below a threshold you need for financial aid or program admission, or you’re planning to apply to graduate school and need a stronger transcript in that subject area.
Check your school’s retake policy before enrolling again. Some schools limit the number of times you can retake a course or only apply grade replacement for the first retake. You’ll also pay tuition again for the course, so weigh the cost against the GPA benefit.
Quick Reference by Situation
- General elective (undergraduate): D or D-minus is typically passing
- Major, minor, or general education requirement: Usually C-minus or higher
- Graduate program: C or C-minus minimum
- Pass/fail courses: C-minus or higher to receive a Pass
- Financial aid eligibility: Cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C average) is a common floor
The safest approach is to check your specific program’s requirements early. The course catalog, your degree audit, or your academic advisor can tell you exactly which courses require a higher grade and where a D will actually move you toward graduation.