* Compared to the average: It's below the national average GPA for college students, which is typically around 3.0.
* Compared to individual goals: If a student aimed for a higher GPA, 2.57 might be considered disappointing. If the student was aiming for a passing grade, it's a success.
* Compared to specific programs: Highly competitive programs often have much higher average GPAs among accepted students. A 2.57 might not be competitive for those programs.
In short, it's a passing grade but not a high one. Whether it's "good" depends entirely on the context and individual expectations.