Interesting. Early 80’s I started 2.4, 3.0 then Dean’s List last 3 semester (CMU MechE) and recall others also did better in later major-specific coursework.
My D at Purdue started in the low to mid 3s and has been right around 3 Sophomore and Jr years. Hopefully this doesn’t mean it gets harder. 3.0 is a cutoff for several recruiters.