* The specific course: A difficult organic chemistry exam might have a much lower passing percentage (e.g., 60%) than an introductory psychology course (e.g., 70% or higher).
* The instructor: Some professors are more lenient than others.
* The type of assessment: A multiple-choice exam might have a different passing score than a more subjective essay exam.
* The grading scale used by the institution: Some colleges use a 100-point scale, others use a weighted system.
Instead of focusing on a percentage, it's better to understand the grading rubric or syllabus for a particular course to know what constitutes a passing grade. Often, a "C" or better is considered passing, but even that can vary between institutions and instructors.