grade inflation

American  

noun

Education.

1. the awarding of higher grades than students deserve either to maintain a school's academic reputation or as a result of diminished teacher expectations.

2. a rise in the average grade given to students.

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grade inflation British  

noun

1. an apparently continual increase in numbers of students attaining high examination grades, or the practice of awarding grades in this way

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Etymology

Origin of grade inflation

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

grade inflation

For many upper-tier private colleges, grade inflation has accompanied tuition inflation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

While emotional-support animals may provide a service, the promotion of pets to emotional-support status appears as prevalent as grade inflation in today’s colleges.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 29, 2026

Princeton and Yale are also investigating grade inflation on their campuses.

From MarketWatch ● May 26, 2026

Harvard spent years researching ways to fight grade inflation, including examining prior efforts at Princeton and Wellesley.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 20, 2026

She had previously urged faculty to address grade inflation, but the school had yet to put forth an official directive.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 3, 2026