đ¨âđď¸ College GPA 101
Before we tell you how to calculate your GPA, there is an essential part of theunderstanding what does GPA stands for. We will answer some basic questions in this section.
What is GPA in College?
GPA, or Grade Point Average, is a tool to measure oneâs academicperformance in college.
Each semester there is a specific number of hours or credits you can learn by attending yourlessons or completing exercises and writing papers.
At the end of the semester, your GPA is calculated to show your overall performance.
Hereâs why itâs significant to know if your results are weighted or not. Weighted coursesdemand more efforts but increase your GPA more effectively. Learn how to check your GPA forthe better understanding of the grading system.
Weighted Vs. Unweighted GPA âWhat's the Difference?
Most colleges useunweighted GPA.
That means all your grades are measured on a scale of 0 to 4. When you earnan A, you get 4.0 on GPA scale.
But if your college uses weighted GPA, the scale might extend to 5.0 or even higher in somecases. It means, you can earn higher grades in specific courses.
Usually, they are tagged asAPorHonorsclasses, but you need to ask professors if these courses are weighted in your school or not.
Note that above on this page we are offering an unweighted college GPA calculator. Thismeans that all of your courses have the same significance. If you need a weighted GPAcalculator, checkthe tool weâve made for high school students.
Why Is GPA Important?
For a regular student, studies are a marathon to earn the highest GPA. Why is that sosignificant?
Because your average GPA has a huge weight on your academic success.
The most significant function of GPA is the usage of this scoring system by universitieswhen accepting graduates. But it also has other functions.
A list of situations where your GPA is necessary to estimate your skills includes:
- Applying for contests andcollege scholarships,
- Participating in organizations,
- Getting hired,
- Joining college clubs,
- Ranking for medals and prizes.
Thereâs also a vital factâif your GPA is low or some courses have low grades, thereâs adanger of being expelled. This is the reason why students are so stressed out aboutcalculating their GPA and finding tips to improve it.
What Is CGPA?
CGPA means Cumulative Grade Point Average. It is a standard method formeasuring academic performance and for determining eligibility for scholarships,internships, and career opportunities of college students. It is calculated by taking intoaccount the grades earned in all of the courses that a student has taken over a given periodof time, usually an academic year.
𧎠Calculating GPA in College
Every student in some moment of their life is puzzled by the question âHow to calculatecollege GPA?â Weâre here to tell youâyou can calculate it in a click by using the collegeGPA calculator above.
Donât have Internet access or just want to understand how GPA is calculated?
In this chapter, youâll see a step-by-step instruction on how to figure it out.
Here, youâll also find useful scales that you can download to your device and use anytimefor precise calculations!
Step 1 â List Your Courses
Write down the letter grades andcredit hoursfor the semester. This data is given to you by the college.
Here âs an example:
Course | Letter Grade | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
History | A | 3 |
Literature | B | 4 |
English | B+ | 3 |
Biology | A- | 4 |
Step 2 â Convert Letters into GPA
Convert your letter grades into GPA. Computing GPA on 4.0 scale is easy. All you need to dois to use one of the tables below.
There are 3 types of grading that your college may use. Letâs name themletters simple, letters extended, and percentage scales.
1Letter Grades to GPA (Simple Version)
Looking for GPA converter on 4.0 scale? Thereâs no need to, because hereâs a simple tableyou can remember or download to your device.
Letter Grade | GPA |
---|---|
A | 4.0 |
B | 3.0 |
C | 2.0 |
D | 1.0 |
F | 0.0 |
2Letter Grades to GPA (Extended Version)
Some colleges choose the extended version of the scale to estimate studentsâ performance.This is the same table as before but with the addition of +/- equivalents.
Letter Grade | GPA |
---|---|
A+ | 4.0 |
A | 4.0 |
A- | 3.7 |
B+ | 3.3 |
B | 3.0 |
B- | 2.7 |
C+ | 2.3 |
C | 2.0 |
C- | 1.7 |
D+ | 1.3 |
D | 1.0 |
D- | 0.7 |
F | 0.0 |
3Percentages to GPA
And the last grading scale is for those who gain percentages instead of letters. The usageis simpleâfind the range that contains your percentage grade and choose the appropriate GPA.
Percent Grade | GPA |
---|---|
97-100 | 4.0 |
93-96 | 4.0 |
90-92 | 3.7 |
87-89 | 3.3 |
83-86 | 3.0 |
80-82 | 2.7 |
77-79 | 2.3 |
73-76 | 2.0 |
70-72 | 1.7 |
67-69 | 1.3 |
63-66 | 1.0 |
60-62 | 0.7 |
0-59 | 0.0 |
Step 3 â Calculate the Grade Points
For this purpose, you should multiply every courseâs GPA by its credit hours. Then, find outit* sum and the sum of credit hours.
For our grades, we get the following results:
Course | Letter Grade | Credit Hours | Grade Points |
---|---|---|---|
History | A (4.0) | 3 | 4.0 x 3 = 12 |
Literature | B (3.0) | 4 | 3.0 x 4 = 12 |
English | B+ (3.3) | 3 | 3.3 x 3 = 9.9 |
Biology | A- (3.7) | 4 | 3.7 x 4 = 14.8 |
Total | 3 + 4 + 3 + 4 = 14 | 48.7 |
Step 4 â Calculate the Semester GPA
Divide the number of grade points by the average of credit hours:
48.7/14 = 3.48
There it is! Your GPA is calculated, and now you can decide how to improve it.
But what if youâre looking for overall GPA? Then, you need to make the next step.
Step 5 â Calculate the Overall GPA
Calculate your overall GPA by dividing the sum of total grade points by the sum of totalcredit hours.
Sounds difficult?
Then, look at this example:
Semester | GPA | Credit Hours | Grade Points |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 3.5 | 12 | 3.5 x 12 = 42 |
2 | 3.7 | 14 | 3.7 x 14 = 51.8 |
3 | 4.0 | 13 | 4.0 x 13 = 52 |
4 | 3.6 | 12 | 3.6 x 12 = 43.2 |
Total | 12 + 14 + 13 + 12 = 51 | 189 |
Grade Points sum / Credit Hours sum = Overall GPA
189/51 = 3.7
Now you can calculate both cumulative and overall GPA with the help of our examples andscales. The formula is easy to use, but weâre ready to answer your questions in comments!
â What Is a Good College GPA?
Weâre often asked by students if their GPA good/bad/needs improvement/enough and so on. Thisis great that youâre interested in your GPA improving because youâll need at many situationsin your life.
But the point isâthis is a really relative issue. You are the only one who knows if your GPAis enough.
But we wonât leave you without any help, so let investigate some criteria that may help youwith the decision.
College GPA Requirements
If you want to get into a medical, law, or business school after graduation, you need to doyour best at gaining the highest GPA.
- Youâll need to getat least 3.7to get into 10 top law schools and 2.7 to less successful ones.
- For medical schools, these numbers areâ3.7 for top schools and 3.4 forothers.
- For business schools, these numbers areâ3.5 for top schools and 2.8 forothers.
Note, that all these indicators are approximate, and you have to check every school youâregoing to attend for their minimal requirements.
Also, mind that your expected GPA should be higher than the one youâre aiming at. Why?Because you shouldnât only reach the lowest level. You also compete to be the best graduate.
GPA Requirements for Job
Some employers hire new candidates based on the combination of their skills, experience, andcollege GPA.
Such way isnât a standard one, but many companies have high requirements in terms of yourGPA. Try to make a list of places you want to work at and include their minimal GPA. Itwould motivate you to study harder and get better grades.
đ Scholarships by GPA 2024
As a student, you may not miss the chance to win a scholarship for further studies orinvestigation. Many scholarships have a requirement related to GPA. This is particularlycommon for merit-based scholarships, which typically require a certain GPA. However, evenscholarships based on financial need may have a minimum GPA requirement.
Minimum GPA 2.6 - 3.0
The full list is to be found atscholarships.com.
- Georgia Engineering Foundation Scholarships
- Amount: $5,000
- Requirements: interest in a career in engineering, US citizenship or permanentresidence in the state of Georgia, enrollment in a collegiate program accreditedby ABET or ACCE.
- Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship
- Amount: $20,000
- Requirements: being a high school senior, demonstrating leadership in school andcommunity, commitment to making a positive social impact.
- Pest Management Foundation Scholarship
- Amount: $2,000
- Requirements: being a full-time undergraduate or graduate college student,majoring in biological sciences, having a 3.0 GPA.
Minimum GPA 3.1 - 3.5
The full list is to be found atscholarships.com.
- UMW Freshman Honor Scholarship
- Amount: $2,000
- Requirements: being a freshman, 3.3 GPA, involvement in extra-curricularactivities and citizenship.
- WomenIn Scholarship
- Amount: $2,500
- Requirements: being a female full-time undergraduate student, graduate student,or an early professional, pursuing a tech career in game development, being atleast 21 years old, and having a 3.3 GPA.
- Jack Scura Fund Scholarship
- Amount: $10,000
- Requirements: being an incoming or current undergraduate student of a New Jerseycollege or university, having a disability, and having a 3.2 GPA.
Minimum GPA 3.6 - 4.0
The full list is to be found atscholarships.com.
- Engebretson Foundation Scholarship
- Amount: $10,000
- Requirements: being a US graduating high school senior, having an ACT of 28 oran SAT of 1240, 3.75 GPA, demonstrating financial need, and planning to attend a4-year college.
- JMU Second Century STEM Scholarship
- Amount: $54,304
- Requirements: being a first-year student with a STEM major, demonstratinginterest in the STEM field, and having a 3.75 GPA.
- Vietnamese Physician Association of Northern California (VPANC) Scholarship
- Amount: $2,000
- Requirements: being of Vietnamese descent, being a high school senior living inNorthern California, attending college in the coming fall or summer, and havingan unweighted GPA of 3.6.
đ 10 Best College GPA Calculators
Want to know your GPA?
Thatâs easy!
And there are many online free tools to help you out.
Weâve collected 10 GPA and CGPA calculators that are extremely comfortable and helpful. Allyou need to do is to put in some information into one of these GPA counters.
1.Free GPA Calculator by IvyPanda
The college GPA calculator by IvyPanda is quick, user-friendly, and totally free. Thisunweighted GPA calculating tool allows you to use either percentage or letter gradingsystem.
To calculate a semester GPA, you need to choose the suitable grading system â letters orpercentages. Then you should add the courses and grades. After that, your semester GPA andthe CGPA will be calculated automatically. You can add another semester if necessary.
2.GPACalculator.net
This website has the most comfortable calculator for estimating your GPA. You can add asmany classes as you need, use a simple 5-point scale or a 13-point one, combine semester,and more.
The usage is easy:
- Enter your course name (if you want to).
- Choose the letter you earned based on your form.
- Choose the number of credits for the course based on your form.
- Repeat for every course.
- Add a new semester if you need to.
As long as you add new indicators, your semester and overall GPA change without evenclicking a key-button.
This service has a convenient interface and pleasant design.
3.GPACalculator.io
Another user-friendly tool you should give a try!
Within this service, you can extract your GPA from letter grades in no time.
Remember that GPA isnât just an average of your gradesâyou should also take into account thenumber of credits.
To figure out your college GPA, do the following steps:
- Name your course if needed.
- Choose your letter grade from the list.
- Enter the number of credits.
- Repeat for every course.
- Add semesters if needed.
Your list can be as long as you want. Include all the courses to see the whole picture.
4.UCSB Undergraduate Education
A useful tool to learn your study statistics.
Firstly, enter the total number of courses. Then, fill in the fields Course, # of Units andLetter Grade.
As soon as youâre done, click Calculate and know your GPA, Total Grade Points, andGrade-Point Balance.
5.Swarthmore College
This tool is appropriate for middle school and college students.
Standardly, you can enter up to 8 courses. Thatâs not really comfortable, but you can alwaysupload the page and enter new courses.
It supports 5-point scale and 12-point scale, so enter any letters you need.
This service is also full of helpful material for college students. Learn more about GPAitself, classesâ shadowing, creditsâ transferring, AP and IB credits, and more.
6.Calculator.net
Here you can count GPA for up to 10 subjects at once. The functional is as easy asalwaysâput in your information and get instant results.
You can fill in any grades whether they have pluses and minuses or not.
The website also contains useful tips on how to raise GPA and improve your grades.
Following the two basic tips will helpâattend classes carefully and plan your work as a pro.
7.Coastal Carolina University
Another quick way to figure out your GPA. There are actually three GPA calculatorsâtwocumulative GPA tools and one to calculate your semester grades.
On the website, youâll also find dozens of guides and useful info.
8.Snow College
This website combines GPA calculation tool with the table for converting lettersâ grades topoints.
Below the table, thereâs also another tool to figure out your cumulative GPA. For thispurpose, you need to know your previous GPA and credits.
On Snow College, you can also find Cost Calculator and useful study tips.
9.Scholaro GPA
Scholaro is an international GPA calculator that allows you to convert grades or points fromany country to the U.S. grades and calculate GPA.
Choose the country and grading scale, type your grades and find out your GPA. The tool alsoallows you to save the GPA report.
Scholaro will be especially helpful for international students who plan to apply to USschools, colleges or universities.
10.College Simply
This is not only the way to learn your GPA. Itâs also a great database to find a college youdeserve.
College Simply has a specific database that can advise an appropriate college for any GPA.It also estimates your chances to get in these or other colleges.
The good point:
You can sort all the results by states.
â College GPA FAQ
đ How to Calculate GPA from Marks?
There are various ways to calculate a grade point average depending on the grading system used by your college or school. One common method is to convert each letter grade to a numerical value (e.g., A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, etc.), and then calculate the average of those values.
đ How to Calculate Cumulative GPA for All Semesters?
A CGPA, or cumulative GPA, is a measure of a student's academic performance over time. To calculate your cumulative GPA for all semesters, you'll need to first calculate the GPA for each semester and then add them up.
đ What Is a Good Cumulative GPA?
Generally speaking, a good GPA is that of 3.0 or higher for undergraduate studies, and of 3.5 or higher for graduate studies. A GPA of 3.0 is considered to be "average," while a GPA above 3.5 is considered to be "above average."
đ What Is the Average College GPA?
The average college GPA can vary depending on the type of institution and the level of academic rigor of the program. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average GPA for students at four-year colleges in the US is around 3.15, or a B average.
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