How GPA Is Defined at Illinois Tech
Illinois Tech calculates GPA by dividing total grade points earned by total graded credit hours (undergraduate) or graded semester/quarter hours (graduate), using the university’s published quality-point values for letter grades.
Who This GPA Calculator Is For
| Applies To | Does Not Apply To |
|---|---|
| Illinois Tech undergraduate courses graded with standard letter grades (A, B, C, D, E) | Chicago-Kent College of Law (separate registrar office and grading materials) |
| Illinois Tech graduate courses graded with standard letter grades listed in the graduate catalog (A, B, C, E) | Any non-Illinois Tech coursework (not taken at Illinois Tech) when computing graduate GPA |
| Courses where Illinois Tech assigns quality points and GPA hours (per the official grade legend) | Courses that record grades but do not carry quality points or GPA hours (per the official grade legend) |
Before You Use the GPA Calculator
- Use the exact course credit hours (or semester/quarter hours) shown for each class.
- Enter only grades that Illinois Tech counts in GPA using graded credit/GPA hours (per the catalog and grade legend).
- If you repeated a course under Illinois Tech’s repeat policy, use the grade that Illinois Tech uses in GPA after repeat processing.
- Keep undergraduate and graduate coursework separate, since the catalogs define GPA rules differently.
This calculator is intended to match Illinois Tech’s published GPA calculation method for standard graded coursework, using the official grade-to-quality-point values and the university’s stated inclusion rules.
Types of GPA Reported at Illinois Tech
Illinois Tech publications describe multiple GPA types that may appear depending on student level and context:
- Cumulative GPA: Overall GPA across applicable coursework in the level/program rules described by the catalog.
- Term GPA: GPA for a single academic term (noted in Illinois Tech undergraduate materials).
- Major GPA (MGPA): For undergraduates with a declared major, Illinois Tech describes a major GPA that is typically based on courses in the major’s academic unit.
Not all students will see all GPA types. The calculator on this page is designed to match the core GPA method described in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs for standard graded coursework.
Undergraduate GPA
Illinois Tech’s undergraduate catalog states that GPA is calculated by dividing total grade points earned by total graded credit hours. Graded credit hours include courses graded A, B, C, D, and E. The catalog also states that all courses taken at Illinois Tech apply to the cumulative GPA, including courses that do not apply toward graduation requirements.
Faculty / School GPA Distinction Table (Undergraduate)
| Faculty / School | GPA Calculated? | GPA Scale | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Tech undergraduate programs (general) | Yes | 4.0 scale (quality points per grade legend) | Undergraduate catalog defines graded credit hours as A, B, C, D, E and states all Illinois Tech courses apply to cumulative GPA. |
| Chicago-Kent College of Law | Not covered by this guide | Not stated here | Illinois Tech registrar materials direct law students to the law registrar office; the general Illinois Tech grade legend notes it does not apply to Chicago-Kent College of Law. |
Official GPA Scale
Illinois Tech publishes quality points for grades in its official grade legend (effective Fall 2014). For GPA calculation purposes, the quality point values for standard letter grades are:
| Letter Grade | Quality Points |
|---|---|
| A | 4 |
| B | 3 |
| C | 2 |
| D | 1 |
| E | 0 |
| F | 0 |
(Other marks may appear on the transcript but do not necessarily carry quality points or GPA hours. Use the “Which Courses Count Toward GPA” section below to avoid miscounting.)
Which Courses Count Toward GPA
Illinois Tech describes GPA calculation in terms of graded credit/GPA hours and assigns quality points by grade.
| Included in GPA | Not Included in GPA |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate courses with grades A, B, C, D, E (as the undergraduate catalog defines graded credit hours) | Grades/marks that do not carry quality points or GPA hours under the official grade legend (for example, administrative or non-quality-point marks) |
| Graduate courses that count in GPA as noted by quality hours in the graduate catalog grade table | Courses not taken at Illinois Tech when computing graduate GPA (graduate catalog rule) |
| Failing grades that carry quality points of 0 and have GPA hours (per the grade legend / graduate grade table) | Marks such as W (Withdrawal) and AU (Audit) when they do not carry quality points and are not used in GPA calculation (per grade legend and repeat rules) |
| “NA” where assigned with 0 quality points and GPA hours (per the official grade legend; and described as GPA-equivalent to a failing E in the graduate catalog) | “S/U” grades where the catalog states they are not used in calculating GPA (graduate catalog) |
Miscounts commonly happen when students include non-quality-point marks (like W or AU) as if they were GPA grades, or when they omit Illinois Tech courses that still apply to the undergraduate cumulative GPA even if they do not meet degree requirements.
How Course Units Affect GPA at Illinois Tech
Illinois Tech GPA is unit-weighted:
- Each course contributes quality points × course credit hours (or graded semester/quarter hours in graduate contexts described in the graduate catalog).
- Courses with more credit hours have more impact because they contribute more total grade points when multiplied by their units.
How GPA Is Calculated
Illinois Tech’s catalogs describe GPA as:
GPA = (Total Grade Points Earned) ÷ (Total Graded Credit Hours / Graded Semester or Quarter Hours)
Where Grade Points Earned for a course = Quality Points for the grade × course credit hours (units).
Example (using the published quality points)
A student completes three undergraduate courses:
- Course 1: 3 credit hours, grade A (4 quality points) → 4 × 3 = 12 grade points
- Course 2: 4 credit hours, grade B (3 quality points) → 3 × 4 = 12 grade points
- Course 3: 3 credit hours, grade C (2 quality points) → 2 × 3 = 6 grade points
Totals:
- Total grade points = 12 + 12 + 6 = 30
- Total graded credit hours = 3 + 4 + 3 = 10
GPA = 30 ÷ 10 = 3.0
Course Repeats or Special GPA Rules
Undergraduate course repeats (grade replacement rules and limits)
Illinois Tech’s undergraduate catalog states:
- Students may repeat up to three 100–200 level courses and up to three 300–400 level courses (with specific limits on carrying repeats across levels).
- Both grades remain on the transcript.
- The grade and credit hours from the first attempt are removed from the GPA calculation.
- Only the second grade is used to compute GPA, even if lower, except when the second grade is I, R, S, U, W, X, or AU.
- A repeated course must be taken within one calendar year after initial enrollment or the next time the course is offered (whichever is longer).
- The same course may be repeated only once.
Graduate course repeats (limits and which grade counts)
Illinois Tech’s graduate catalog states:
- Graduate students may repeat up to three distinct courses during a graduate academic career, and each course may be repeated only once.
- Both grades are recorded on the transcript.
- The grade used in cumulative GPA is the latest recorded, except when the last recorded grade is W or AU.
Transcript Grades vs GPA Calculations
Illinois Tech transcripts can include marks that are not standard A–E/F letter grades. The catalogs and grade legend distinguish between grades that carry quality points/GPA hours and marks that do not. This is why a transcript can show grades or marks that do not change GPA, while others (including some failing or administrative outcomes with GPA hours) do affect GPA.
Graduate GPA
Illinois Tech’s graduate catalog states that graduate GPA is calculated by dividing total grade points earned by total graded semester or quarter hours, and that courses not taken at Illinois Tech are not included in computing the graduate GPA.
The graduate catalog’s grade table lists standard GPA-counting letter grades for graduate students as A (4.00), B (3.00), C (2.00), and E (0.00), with additional marks shown for transcript/administrative purposes. The Illinois Tech registrar grade legend also indicates that D is used for undergraduate and Stuart School of Business students only, which may matter for students whose programs use that grade.
Common GPA Mistakes Students Make
- Counting W (Withdrawal) or AU (Audit) as if they were GPA grades, even though they do not carry quality points in the official grade legend.
- Omitting Illinois Tech courses from an undergraduate cumulative GPA estimate because the course “doesn’t count toward graduation,” even though the undergraduate catalog states all Illinois Tech courses apply to the cumulative GPA.
- Including transfer or non-Illinois Tech coursework in a graduate GPA estimate, even though the graduate catalog states those courses are not included in computing graduate GPA.
- Calculating GPA with the wrong attempt after repeating a course, instead of following the catalog’s repeat rules for which grade counts.
- Mixing undergraduate and graduate coursework in one calculation even though the catalogs define graduate and undergraduate GPA rules differently.
- Using the general Illinois Tech grade legend for Chicago-Kent College of Law, even though registrar materials indicate separate law registrar handling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is GPA calculated at Illinois Tech?
Illinois Tech calculates GPA as total grade points divided by total graded hours. Grade points come from the published quality-point value for a grade multiplied by the course’s credit hours (units). Only coursework and grades that carry GPA hours under Illinois Tech rules should be included.
Do all classes I take at Illinois Tech count in my undergraduate GPA?
Yes for Illinois Tech coursework, as stated in the undergraduate catalog. The undergraduate catalog says all courses taken at Illinois Tech apply to the cumulative GPA, including courses that do not apply toward graduation requirements. Your GPA calculation still depends on whether the grade carries GPA hours (for example, standard letter grades versus certain administrative marks).
Does Pass/Fail affect my Illinois Tech GPA?
It depends on the outcome and grading basis described in the undergraduate catalog and grade legend. The undergraduate catalog states that an “S” (Pass) does not figure into GPA calculations, while a Fail is entered as the standard grade of “E” and does figure into GPA calculations. Other non-letter marks should be handled according to whether they carry quality points and GPA hours.
When I repeat a course, which grade counts in my GPA?
Undergraduate and graduate rules are different and are stated in the catalogs. The undergraduate catalog says both grades remain on the transcript, but the first attempt’s grade and credit hours are removed from GPA calculation and the second grade is used (with specific exceptions for certain second-attempt marks). The graduate catalog states the latest grade is used for cumulative GPA, except when the last recorded grade is W or AU.
Are transfer courses included in my Illinois Tech graduate GPA?
No, per the graduate catalog’s GPA rule. The graduate catalog states that courses not taken at Illinois Tech are not included in computing the graduate GPA. If you want an “all schools combined” average, that is separate from the Illinois Tech graduate GPA definition.
What is the Illinois Tech grading scale used for GPA?
Illinois Tech publishes quality points in its official grade legend. Standard letter grades map to quality points as A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, E=0, and F=0. Use the official grade legend and the relevant catalog level (undergraduate vs graduate) to determine which grades and marks carry GPA hours.
Does this Illinois Tech GPA calculator apply to Chicago-Kent College of Law?
This guide does not apply to Chicago-Kent College of Law. Illinois Tech registrar materials direct law students to the law registrar office for services, and the general Illinois Tech grade legend notes it does not apply to Chicago-Kent College of Law. Use Chicago-Kent’s official grading and transcript resources for law-program GPA rules.
Related Official University Links
- Illinois Institute of Technology Undergraduate Catalog – Grades and Transcripts
https://catalog.iit.edu/undergraduate/academic-policies-procedures/grades-and-transcripts/ - Illinois Institute of Technology Graduate Catalog – Grades and Transcripts
https://catalog.iit.edu/graduate/academic-policies-procedures/grades-transcripts/ - Illinois Institute of Technology Graduate Catalog – Grade Point Average
https://catalog.iit.edu/graduate/academic-policies-procedures/gpa/ - Illinois Institute of Technology Graduate Catalog – Repeating a Course
https://catalog.iit.edu/graduate/academic-policies-procedures/grades-transcripts/repeating-course/ - Illinois Tech Office of the Registrar – Grade Legend
https://www.iit.edu/registrar/students-and-alumni/grade-legend - Illinois Tech Office of the Registrar – Course Repeat Policy
https://www.iit.edu/registrar/registration/course-repeat-policy - Illinois Tech Office of the Registrar – Transcripts
https://www.iit.edu/registrar/students-and-alumni/transcripts - Illinois Institute of Technology Course Catalog (Undergraduate and Graduate)
https://www.iit.edu/academics/course-catalog
Accuracy Disclaimer
This guide is based only on publicly available Illinois Tech registrar and academic catalog documentation. Official GPA calculations are determined by Illinois Institute of Technology records and the official transcript.