Table of Contents
How Boston University Calculates GPA
Boston University uses an honor-point system weighted by course units. Multiply each GPA-bearing course’s units by the honor-point value of the final grade, add those honor points, and divide by the total GPA-bearing units.
BU GPA = total honor points ÷ total GPA-bearing units
Most BU courses are four units, but unit values can vary, so enter the actual units shown for each course.
| Grade | Honor points per unit |
|---|---|
| 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 | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
Important: An F is not ignored. It earns 0.0 honor points, but its attempted units remain in the GPA denominator, so it can lower your GPA substantially.
Quick example
Suppose you earn an A in a 4-unit course and a B+ in another 4-unit course. The A earns 16.0 honor points and the B+ earns 13.2, for 29.2 total points across 8 GPA-bearing units. Your GPA for those courses is 29.2 ÷ 8 = 3.650.
Which BU Grades Count in GPA?
Some transcript symbols do not receive honor points and are not used in the GPA calculation.
| Grade or symbol | GPA treatment |
|---|---|
| A through D | Counts at the published honor-point value |
| F | Counts at 0.0; units remain in GPA |
| F* | Counts at 0.0; units remain in GPA |
| P / P* | Excluded from GPA |
| CR / NC | Excluded from GPA |
| AU | Excluded from GPA |
| W | Excluded from GPA |
| I | Excluded until resolved to a final grade |
| J | Excluded until the continuing course is completed |
| MG | Unresolved; no honor points |
BU Pass/Fail: P* and F* Are Different
Boston University’s revised undergraduate Pass/Fail policy took effect July 1, 2026. If a student elects an eligible course Pass/Fail and earns a D or better, the recorded P* carries degree units but is excluded from GPA. An F becomes F*, and both the units and the 0.0 grade value are used in GPA.
Do not treat P and F the same.** P* adds no GPA points or GPA units; F* adds the attempted units at zero honor points.
The policy also limits how much student-elected Pass/Fail coursework can be applied to the bachelor’s degree and which courses may be selected. The calculator estimates GPA treatment; it does not determine whether a course is eligible for Pass/Fail.
What Happens When You Repeat a Course at BU?
Boston University does not use ordinary grade replacement for repeated undergraduate courses. When a course is repeated, all grades and units from the attempts are included in the GPA. For a course that is not designated repeatable for additional units, degree units are generally earned only once.
That is why the calculator’s Repeat Impact replacement tool is disabled for BU. To model a repeat, enter the original attempt and the later graded attempt as separate completed courses. If the original attempt is already included in the previous GPA and previous units you entered, do not enter it again as a course row or you would double-count it.
Do Transfer Grades Count Toward Your BU GPA?
No. Boston University may award units for approved external coursework, but grades earned at another institution do not transfer into the BU cumulative GPA. The calculator’s Approved external transfer course type therefore excludes that row from the BU GPA estimate.
Transfer-unit eligibility has separate rules, including minimum grades and limits on external units. A course being accepted for degree units does not mean its external grade becomes part of your BU GPA.
Current, Projected, and Target GPA
Use Previous GPA and Previous units when you already have a BU cumulative GPA, then add new completed courses to update the estimate. Planned courses can show a projected GPA if you enter expected grades.
The target tool works backward from your current estimated GPA and future units to show the average grade-point value needed over those units. A required average above 4.0 is mathematically impossible on BU’s standard 4.0 scale.
Planning note: Your estimate is only as accurate as the previous GPA, previous GPA-bearing units, course units, and grades you enter. Use your official BU academic record when possible.
GPA Requirements Students Commonly Confuse
A single GPA number can mean different things depending on the policy.
| Purpose | Current BU rule |
|---|---|
| Full-time undergraduate good standing | Term GPI at least 2.00, cumulative GPA at least 2.00, plus at least 12 academic units in the term |
| Bachelor’s graduation | Cumulative GPA at least 2.0, at least 128 units, and all applicable program/Hub requirements |
| Financial-aid SAP | Cumulative GPA at least 2.00, plus separate pace requirements |
| Latin Honors | School/college-specific annual breakpoints for the top 30%; no Latin Honors below 3.0 |
These are not interchangeable. A calculator result does not by itself establish academic standing, graduation clearance, aid eligibility, or honors.
Boston University GPA FAQs
Does Boston University use a 4.0 GPA scale?
Yes. BU’s standard honor-point scale runs from A = 4.0 to F = 0.0, with A-, B+/B/B-, C+/C/C-, and D values in between.
Does BU have an A+ grade worth more than 4.0?
The university GPA table used for this calculator tops out at A = 4.0 and does not list A+ as a higher honor-point grade.
Does an F count in my BU GPA?
Yes. An F earns zero honor points, but its attempted units remain in the GPA denominator.
Does a Pass/Fail course affect BU GPA?
A P* is excluded from GPA, while an F* counts at 0.0 with its units. Student-elected undergraduate Pass/Fail rules changed effective July 1, 2026.
If I repeat a BU course, does the new grade replace the old one?
No. BU includes the grades and units from all repeated attempts in GPA. The later grade does not erase the original grade from the GPA calculation.
Do transfer grades count toward Boston University GPA?
No. Approved external coursework may transfer units, but the external grades do not affect the BU cumulative GPA.
What GPA do I need to graduate from Boston University?
Under the university policy effective July 1, 2026, bachelor’s degree students need a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0, at least 128 units, and completion of their applicable degree and BU Hub requirements. Individual schools and programs may impose additional requirements.
Is a 2.0 GPA enough for BU good standing?
A cumulative 2.00 is one part of the full-time undergraduate good-standing rule. Students also need a term GPI of at least 2.00 and at least 12 academic units in the completed term.
Official Boston University Resources
- Grades & GPA — Office of the University Registrar
- Grades and Course Units — University Policy
- Undergraduate Pass/Fail Policy
- Repeated Courses for Undergraduate Students
- Transfer of Undergraduate Units
- Undergraduate Academic Standing
- Undergraduate Graduation Requirements
- Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid
- Awards and Achievements / Latin Honors
This Boston University GPA calculator is an independent planning tool, not an official BU record or eligibility decision. Confirm grades, units, academic standing, graduation, financial aid, honors, repeat eligibility, and program-specific requirements with Boston University and your school or college.