Harvard Proposes Capping A Grades at 20% Amid Grade Inflation Concerns

Undergraduates at Harvard University may soon face stricter grading policies as faculty debate a proposal to cap A grades at no more than 20% of the class, plus four students. The move comes after 66% of undergraduates earned A’s and 84% earned an A or A-minus in the 2024–25 academic year.

The February 2026 proposal, authored by faculty, argues for a return to the original definition of an A grade as work of “extraordinary distinction.” It states:

“The Student Handbook recognizes an A grade as one reserved for work of ‘extraordinary distinction.’ We recommend returning to this definition. While any changes to grading policies may raise concerns about fostering a competitive culture, we believe that these recommendations take critical steps toward the College’s goal to re-center academics, restoring confidence in the College’s grading system, and better aligning incentives with pedagogical goals.”

In 2006, less than half of Ivy League students earned an A. After Harvard’s administration tightened grading policies in fall 2025, the number dropped to 53%. However, the current proposal has sparked backlash from students, with 85% opposing the cap, according to the Harvard Crimson.

“It’s kind of nutty,” said Steven Levitsky, a professor of Latin American studies at Harvard. “We’ve completely erased the distinction between an A and A-minus,” he told Inside Higher Ed. “The proposal is the least bad solution.”

Faculty Vote Scheduled for This Week

Faculty are set to vote on the measure this week, with results expected by Wednesday, May 20. The outcome remains uncertain as students voice concerns over rising tuition costs—now exceeding $80,000—and a challenging job market.

Grade Inflation: A Longstanding Issue

Grade inflation at Harvard and other U.S. colleges is not a new phenomenon. It traces back to the Vietnam War, when professors inflated grades to protect students from the draft. More recently, from 1990 to 2020, GPAs at four-year colleges rose over 16%, driven by student demand for higher grades and the evaluation of professors, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

“It’s true that grades always seem to be rising [at Harvard] . . . and has become extreme in recent years,” wrote Amanda Claybaugh, Dean of Undergraduate Education, in a 2025 report on grading trends. “A slow rise in the early 2010s, continuous with longstanding trends, followed by a more rapid rise in the late 2010s, then an additional spike during the year of remote instruction and a flattening out after that.”

Previous Efforts to Curb Grade Inflation Have Failed

As Harvard faculty deliberate, students and observers note that similar attempts at Princeton University and Wellesley College to rein in grade inflation have previously failed, as reported by Bloomberg.