What is a cumulative GPA?

A good cumulative GPA opens up doors to college, graduate school, and even jobs by giving them a sense for your overall academic performance and work ethic. Because your GPA is such a powerful metric in your academic career, it’s important to go into each semester knowing exactly where these numbers are coming from and the extent of their impact. In this post, we cover what is a cumulative GPA, how to calculate it, how it can affect you, and tips for keeping a high cumulative GPA.

What is a cumulative GPA and how is it calculated?

A cumulative GPA averages your grades across all semesters of enrollment. Schools accomplish this by assigning a specific point value to each possible grade. This typically goes A=4, B=3, and so on. See below:

To calculate your cumulative GPA, add together the point values for every grade on your transcript. Divide that by the total number of credit hours you’ve taken, and you’ve found your cumulative GPA.

For example, say you took four classes at three credits each, making your total number of credit hours 12. You then receive the following grades: A, A-, B+, and C. To find the cumulative GPA from here, you would first take the point values and multiply them by the number of credits they represent.

A: 4.0 x 3 = 12

A-: 3.7 x 3 = 11.1

B+: 3.3 x 3 = 9.9

C: 2.0 x 3 = 6

Together, these grade points equal 39. Divide this by 12 (the total number of credit hours taken) and your cumulative GPA is 3.25.

Weighted vs. unweighted cumulative GPA

Unweighted GPAs are based on a 4.0 scale, but weighted GPAs add an extra point to account for the increased difficulty of honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. For example, an A in an honors or AP class would contribute 5.0 grade points in the weighted GPA system. Visit our weighted vs. unweighted GPAs post for more detail.

Though this varies depending on the institution, many schools will show both versions of your GPA on your transcript. But regardless of whether a school prefers weighted or unweighted GPAs, the calculations involve summing up your grade points and dividing them by the total number of courses or credits.

How cumulative GPAs are used

Cumulative GPA can be given more weight than semester or major GPAs by schools and potential employers. As a high school student, cumulative GPAs may be used to decide placement in advanced or honors courses, providing opportunities for greater academic challenge and preparation for college-level work. When it comes to applying for college, your cumulative GPA will help decide your eligibility for competitive universities and scholarships.

When a high school student changes schools, their cumulative GPA typically follows them. However, when a college student transfers, the cumulative GPA tends to reset. This doesn’t mean it’s not a priority for college students though, as a strong cumulative GPA can be used to apply for top graduate schools, internships, study abroad programs, and employment opportunities.

Law and medical schools are notoriously competitive with applicants vying for a limited number of seats. A strong cumulative GPA is especially important for students within these fields as it demonstrates their ability to handle demanding coursework, manage workload, and consistently excel in a challenging environment.

Cumulative GPA is also crucial for maintaining the good academic standing necessary to graduate college and continuing to receive financial aid. As a college student in any field, a low GPA may land you in academic probation, a state that puts you at risk of suspension or dismissal. In these situations, universities will often put students on academic progress plans for specified periods of time to give them the chance to improve their GPA. If a low GPA has impacted your ability to receive financial aid, most schools will let you appeal for extenuating circumstances and put you on a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) plan.

What is considered a good cumulative GPA?

4.0 is often considered the highest GPA one can achieve, but that is just for unweighted GPAs. Students can get above a 4.0 weighted GPA by taking advanced placement courses. Aiming for a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher puts you in a strong position for most college applications.

A 3.5 GPA or above opens doors to top graduate programs and prestigious internships. This can differ strongly depending on the university though, with schools like those in the Ivy League preferring GPAs near 4.0. Your major can also play a role in determining minimum GPA requirements, and schools love to see you take advanced courses in that major. Since entry requirements can vary greatly, make sure to research your target schools to gauge their expectations.

Tips for keeping a high cumulative GPA

1) Retake classes: Depending on your school’s policy, retaking a previously failed class can completely erase the low grade from your cumulative GPA calculation. Or your school might consider both grades during calculation but give the retaken grade more weight. Either way, retaking a class can improve previously poor grades, providing another chance to lock in the cumulative GPA of your dreams.

2) Withdraw before failing: A “W” on your transcript won’t impact your cumulative GPA, but an “F” will significantly drag it down. This can have consequences for scholarships, graduate school applications, and future academic opportunities. Each time you begin a new college course, take note of the deadline for dropping classes in case you may need to use this method to protect your GPA.

3) Use GPA calculators to visualize the impact of different grades for upcoming courses, evaluate whether retaking a course is worthwhile, and set informed goals.

4) Utilize resources like tutoring, study groups, and office hours. Maintaining good grades can be incredibly stressful for even the brightest students. Support from your academic advisor or a dedicated tutor can help you break down confusing concepts and stay on top of your GPA.

Nicole Gabrail

05 Feb 2024, 5 min read