Approximately 43,000 high school leavers maintain consistent average grades as they complete their education

The Center for Higher Education Development (CHE) has recently conducted an analysis on study program access at universities in the state of Baden-Württemberg. The analysis, carried out in Gütersloh, provides insights into the current landscape of study opportunities and Abitur grades.

In the southwest region, approximately 29,000 students from general education gymnasiums achieved an average Abitur grade of 2.2 in 2025, remaining stable compared to the previous year's average of 2.23. Similarly, around 14,000 graduates from vocational gymnasiums achieved an average Abitur grade of 2.4 in 2025, consistent with the previous year's average of 2.40. Approximately 330 students from comprehensive schools also maintained a steady average grade of 2.4 in 2025, compared to the previous year's average of 2.42.

However, the analysis did not provide figures for students achieving a perfect score in the Abitur 2025. Furthermore, comparative figures with other federal states for the Abitur 2025 will be published at a later date, according to the Secretariat of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs in Berlin.

Access restrictions such as a numerus clausus or an application process apply to 50.2 percent of the study offers at Baden-Württemberg universities. The highest proportion of access restrictions is in the fields of law, economics, social and political sciences, with 51.6 percent of study offers having restrictions. Conversely, the lowest proportion of access restrictions is in language and cultural studies, with 23.1 percent of study offers having restrictions.

In a positive development, the upcoming winter semester will see half of the study programs at Baden-Württemberg universities open to first-year students regardless of their Abitur grade. This move is expected to provide more opportunities for students seeking higher education in the state.

The CHE analysis focused exclusively on Baden-Württemberg universities, and further figures for the Abitur 2025, including the number of students achieving a perfect score, will be published at a later date. The publication of comparative figures with other federal states will also be forthcoming, offering a broader perspective on the state of higher education in Germany.

Approximately 43,000 high school leavers maintain consistent average grades as they complete their education