How GPA Works at Columbia University
At Columbia, your GPA (Grade Point Average) is a key academic metric calculated on a 4.0 scale. Every letter grade you earn in your courses corresponds to a specific grade point. Your GPA is then the average of these points, weighted by the number of credits for each course.
Most undergraduate programs at Columbia follow this standard scale, but some specific schools or departments (especially graduate or professional programs) may have variations.
Columbia’s GPA Scale
Here’s the general grade-to-GPA conversion used across most of Columbia University’s undergraduate programs:
| Letter Grade | GPA Value |
|---|---|
| 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 | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
| P (Pass) | Not counted |
| R (Registered Auditor) | Not counted |
Note: The A+ doesn’t carry more than 4.0 GPA points—so while it looks good on your transcript, it won’t boost your GPA beyond the 4.0 cap.
How GPA Is Calculated
To compute your GPA at Columbia:
- Multiply the grade points for each course by the number of credits.
- Add up the total grade points for all courses.
- Divide the total grade points by the total number of graded credits.
Example:
- If you took four 3-credit courses and got A (4.0), A− (3.7), B+ (3.3), and B (3.0):
- Total points = (4.0×3) + (3.7×3) + (3.3×3) + (3.0×3) = 12 + 11.1 + 9.9 + 9 = 42
- GPA = 42 ÷ 12 = 3.5
Department-Specific Grading Notes
Columbia College and School of General Studies
These schools stick closely to the standard grading policy. Pass/D/Fail (P/D/F) options are available with limits—courses taken P/D/F generally cannot count toward your major.
Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS)
SEAS undergrads also follow the standard scale. However, stricter grade expectations might apply, especially for core STEM courses.
School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), Teachers College, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Some graduate schools use slightly modified scales (e.g., assigning B− as the lowest passing grade). Be sure to check your program’s handbook.
GPA Policies Worth Noting
- Pass/D/Fail option: You must elect this early in the semester, and P grades do not affect your GPA.
- Grade inflation/curving: Columbia faculty are not required to curve, but some departments may informally align with grade distribution expectations.
- Transcript transparency: Both letter grades and GPA are shown on official transcripts.