Calculate your Grade Point Average with support for multiple courses, different grading systems, and credit hours. Perfect for college students tracking academic performance.
Grade Point Average (GPA) is a numerical representation of your academic performance. It's calculated by dividing total quality points by total credit hours attempted.
Where is the total number of courses
For each course:
Example Calculation:
Student takes 3 courses:
| Letter | 4.0 Scale | Percentage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0 | 97–100% | Outstanding |
| A | 4.0 | 93–96% | Excellent |
| A− | 3.7 | 90–92% | Near Excellent |
| B+ | 3.3 | 87–89% | Above Average |
| B | 3.0 | 83–86% | Good |
| B− | 2.7 | 80–82% | Above Average |
| C+ | 2.3 | 77–79% | Average |
| C | 2.0 | 73–76% | Satisfactory |
| C− | 1.7 | 70–72% | Below Average |
| D | 1.0 | 60–69% | Passing |
| F | 0.0 | < 60% | Failing |
Note: Different institutions may use slightly different grading scales. Always check your school's specific grading policy.
All classes count equally regardless of difficulty. An A in a regular class = an A in an AP class = 4.0 points.
Advanced courses (AP, IB, Honors) earn extra grade points. An A in an AP class may be worth 5.0 instead of 4.0, rewarding academic challenge.
Example: A student who earns an A in both a regular English class and an AP Calculus class has an unweighted GPA of 4.0 for both. But under a weighted system, the AP class contributes 5.0 points, raising the overall weighted GPA above 4.0.
Colleges evaluate applicants holistically, but GPA remains a critical factor. Here are typical GPA ranges for students admitted to top-tier universities based on recent admissions data.
Unweighted GPA (most admits)
Unweighted GPA (most admits)
Unweighted GPA (most admits)
Unweighted GPA (most admits)
Weighted GPA (average)
Weighted GPA (average)
Unweighted GPA (average)
Unweighted GPA (average)
Note: These are general ranges. Actual admissions depend on many factors including test scores, essays, extracurriculars, and recommendations. For detailed requirements, visit each university's admissions website or check the Common Application.
GPA Requirement: 3.8–4.0 + exceptional test scores
Covers full tuition, room, and board. Extremely competitive, typically requires leadership and community service.
GPA Requirement: 3.5+ minimum
Most merit scholarships start at 3.5 GPA. Amounts range from $5,000–$25,000 per year.
GPA Requirement: 3.2–3.5 for in-state students
Many state schools offer automatic merit aid for residents meeting GPA thresholds.
GPA Requirement: 3.0+ to keep funding
Most scholarships require 3.0 minimum GPA to renew. Falling below can result in loss of funding.
Financial Impact Example
A 3.5+ GPA can save $40,000–$120,000 in tuition over 4 years through scholarships and grants. The difference between a 3.3 GPA and 3.7 GPA could literally be worth a brand new car or a down payment on a house.
"I started freshman year with a 3.2 GPA. By identifying my weak points (chemistry and statistics), taking advantage of office hours, and retaking one failed course, I raised my cumulative GPA to 3.67 by senior year."
"Weighted GPA was crucial for me. Taking 6 AP classes junior year boosted my weighted GPA to 4.3, even though my unweighted was 3.8. This made me competitive for Top 10 engineering programs."
"After a rough freshman fall semester (2.8 GPA), I created a strict study schedule and joined study groups. By junior year, my cumulative rose to 3.4, qualifying me for Dean's List."
Key Takeaway: GPA improvement is possible with strategic planning and consistent effort. Early intervention, course retakes, and leveraging academic support resources can make a significant difference in your academic and career trajectory.
Understanding the difference between semester and cumulative GPA helps you track academic progress accurately and set realistic improvement goals.
Your GPA for one specific semester or term. It only includes courses taken during that period.
Example: Fall 2024 semester with 5 courses
Your overall GPA including all semesters completed. This is what appears on transcripts and applications.
Example: All 4 years of college combined
Sarah finished her first year with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 (30 credits). She wants to reach 3.5 by graduation (120 total credits).
Current status:
To reach 3.5 GPA at 120 credits:
Sarah needs to maintain a 3.6 GPA for her remaining 90 credits to graduate with a 3.5 cumulative GPA.
Pro Tip: Early semesters have larger impact on cumulative GPA. A poor freshman year becomes harder to overcome as you accumulate credits. Focus on building a strong foundation early. For official planning guidance, check the College Board BigFuture resource listed below.
Your GPA unlocks scholarship opportunities worth thousands of dollars. Most merit-based scholarships have minimum GPA requirements.
Example: A student with 3.7 GPA might qualify for a $5,000/year merit scholarship. Over 4 years, that's $20,000 in free money. Improving from 3.4 to 3.7 could be worth tens of thousands of dollars.
If you're stressing about your GPA for graduate school, here's what admissions committees are actually looking at — and it's not just the number at the top of your transcript.
Source: US News Graduate School Rankings (linked in External Resources below)
A student with a 3.2 → 3.8 upward trend is often viewed more favorably than a flat 3.5. Admissions officers look at: