College GPA Calculator
Track your college GPA semester by semester. Add courses with credit hours and letter grades to see your current semester GPA, cumulative GPA, and total quality points.
College GPA: What You Need to Know
Your college GPA is a running average of every course you've completed, weighted by credit hours. Unlike high school GPA, college GPA directly affects academic standing, financial aid eligibility, scholarship renewal, graduate school admission, and sometimes employment screening. Understanding how each semester affects your cumulative GPA is one of the most important academic skills you can develop.
How Semester GPA Affects Cumulative GPA
The impact of one semester on your cumulative GPA decreases as you accumulate more credits. After 90 credits, a single 15-credit semester can change your cumulative GPA by at most about 0.15 points in either direction. Early in your college career, however, one strong semester can swing your GPA by 0.3–0.5 points — which is why your freshman year matters more than many students realise.
Some colleges allow you to retake a course and replace the original grade in your GPA calculation. Others average both attempts. If you're considering a retake for GPA recovery, confirm your school's official policy before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my major GPA differ from my cumulative GPA?
Yes. Your cumulative GPA includes every course you've taken. Your major GPA counts only courses within your declared major or department. Graduate programs in that field, teaching certifications, and some professional licenses may require a minimum major GPA even if your cumulative GPA exceeds their threshold. Both figures are typically shown on your transcript.
What is a good GPA for graduate school?
Requirements vary widely by program and institution. In general: a 3.0 is the minimum at most graduate schools; a 3.3–3.5 makes you competitive; a 3.7+ is strong for top-ranked programs. Some STEM PhD programs weigh research experience and recommendation letters more heavily than GPA. Law schools and medical schools set their own cutoffs, often higher.
Can W (withdrawal) grades hurt my GPA?
A standard W (withdrawal before the deadline) does not count toward your GPA — it simply doesn't factor into the calculation. However, too many W grades can raise questions for graduate admissions committees or scholarship committees about academic persistence. A WF (withdrawal failure) does count as an F at many institutions and will harm your GPA.