How GPA Is Defined at Boston University
Boston University calculates GPA using a 4.0 honor-point system. Each letter grade is assigned a numerical honor-point value. That value is multiplied by the course’s unit value. GPA is calculated by dividing total honor points earned by total units attempted in graded coursework.
Only courses that receive letter grades with honor points are included. Courses graded with symbols that do not carry honor points are excluded from GPA calculations.
Who This GPA Calculator Is For
| Applies To | Does Not Apply To |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate students earning letter grades | Courses graded Pass/Fail or Audit |
| Graduate students whose programs report GPA | Courses graded with non-honor-point symbols |
| Semester and cumulative GPA calculations | Transfer coursework completed outside BU |
Before You Use the GPA Calculator
Before entering courses:
- Confirm each course has a letter grade with honor points
- Use the official unit value for each course
- Exclude courses graded with symbols that do not carry honor points
- Include all attempts for repeated courses
This calculator is intended to match Boston University semester and cumulative GPA calculations.
Types of GPA Reported at Boston University
Boston University officially reports:
- Semester GPA, calculated for each academic term
- Cumulative GPA, calculated across all BU coursework
Not all students will see all GPA types, depending on program and enrollment status. This calculator matches BU’s reported semester and cumulative GPA.
Undergraduate GPA
Undergraduate GPA is calculated using the Boston University honor-point system. Course unit values are weighted proportionally. All letter-graded undergraduate courses with honor points are included in GPA calculations.
Faculty / School GPA Distinction
| Faculty / School | GPA Calculated? | GPA Scale | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| All undergraduate schools and colleges | Yes | 4.0 honor-point scale | Unit values may vary by course |
| Programs without letter grades | No GPA reported | — | Non-honor-point grading only |
Official GPA Scale
Boston University publishes the following official honor-point scale:
| Letter Grade | Honor Points |
|---|---|
| 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 / F* | 0.0 |
Grades not listed above do not carry honor points and are not included in GPA.
Which Courses Count Toward GPA
| Included in GPA | Not Included in GPA |
|---|---|
| Letter-graded courses with honor points | Pass (P, P*) |
| Repeated letter-graded courses | Withdrawn (W) |
| Undergraduate and graduate letter grades | Audit (AU) |
| Credit / No Credit (CR, NC) | |
| Missing or temporary grades (MG, X) |
Miscounts typically occur when non-honor-point grades are mistakenly included or when unit values are ignored.
How Course Units Affect GPA at Boston University
Each course is weighted by its official unit value. Courses with higher unit values contribute more heavily to total honor points and have a greater impact on GPA.
How GPA Is Calculated
Boston University uses the following formula:
GPA = Total Honor Points ÷ Total Units Attempted
Example calculation:
- A (4.0) in a 4-unit course = 16.0 honor points
- B+ (3.3) in a 3-unit course = 9.9 honor points
- Total honor points: 25.9
- Total units: 7
- GPA: 3.70
Course Repeats or Special GPA Rules
When a course is repeated at Boston University, all grades earned remain in the GPA calculation. Earlier grades are not removed or replaced for GPA purposes.
Transcript Grades vs GPA Calculations
Some grades appear on the transcript but do not affect GPA because they do not carry honor points. These grades are excluded from both the GPA numerator and denominator.
Graduate GPA
Graduate programs at Boston University use the same honor-point GPA system for courses that assign letter grades. Program-specific academic standards may apply, but GPA calculation follows the university honor-point method when GPA is reported.
Common GPA Mistakes Students Make
- Including Pass, Credit, or Audit grades in GPA calculations
- Omitting earlier attempts of repeated courses
- Ignoring course unit differences when averaging grades
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Boston University calculate GPA?
Boston University calculates GPA by dividing total honor points earned by total graded units attempted. Only letter-graded courses with honor points are included.
Are Pass/Fail courses included in BU GPA?
No. Pass, Credit, Withdrawn, and Audit grades do not carry honor points and are excluded from GPA calculations.
Does Boston University replace grades for repeated courses?
No. All attempts of a repeated course remain on the transcript and are included in GPA calculations.
Are transfer courses included in Boston University GPA?
No. Transfer coursework appears on the transcript but is not included in the BU GPA.
Does BU calculate a major GPA?
Boston University officially reports semester and cumulative GPA. Major-specific GPAs are not calculated by the Registrar.
Is the GPA scale the same for undergraduate and graduate students?
Yes. When GPA is reported, both undergraduate and graduate programs use the 4.0 honor-point scale.
Related Official University Links
- Boston University Office of the University Registrar — Grades and GPA
https://www.bu.edu/reg/academics/grades-gpa/ - Boston University Academic Policies — Grades and Course Credits
https://www.bu.edu/academics/policies/grades-and-course-credits/
Accuracy Disclaimer
This guide is based solely on publicly available Boston University Registrar and academic policy documentation. Official transcripts and Registrar records govern final GPA calculations.