GPA Guide: Illinois Institute of Technology
If you’re studying at Illinois Institute of Technology (often called Illinois Tech or IIT), understanding how your GPA is calculated can help you stay on track, graduate on time, and plan your academic journey with confidence. Let’s break it all down for you.
How GPA Is Calculated at Illinois Tech
At Illinois Tech, your GPA (Grade Point Average) is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points you’ve earned by the total number of graded credit hours you’ve completed. Only courses taken at Illinois Tech count toward your official GPA.
This applies to both undergraduate and graduate students, but each level has slightly different grading standards. We’ll cover those next.
Undergraduate Grading Scale
Here’s the official grade scale used for most undergraduate programs at Illinois Tech:
| Letter Grade | Grade Points | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | Excellent |
| B | 3.0 | Above Average |
| C | 2.0 | Average |
| D | 1.0 | Passing (Undergrad) |
| E | 0.0 | Failing |
| NA | 0.0 | Never Attended |
| I | 0.0 | Incomplete |
| R | 0.0 | Research in Progress |
| W | 0.0 | Withdrawn |
| X | 0.0 | No Grade Submitted |
Heads-up: A grade of “NA” means you never attended the course and is treated the same as an “E” (failing) in GPA calculations.
Graduate Grading Scale
Graduate students have a slightly stricter set of expectations. Here’s what the GPA breakdown looks like for graduate courses:
| Letter Grade | Grade Points | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | Excellent |
| B | 3.0 | Above Average |
| C | 2.0 | Average |
| E | 0.0 | Failing |
| NA | 0.0 | Never Attended |
| I | 0.0 | Incomplete |
| R | 0.0 | Research in Progress |
| W | 0.0 | Withdrawn |
| X | 0.0 | No Grade Submitted |
Graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 to remain in good academic standing.
Incomplete Grades and Other Symbols
- Incomplete (‘I’): This is given when you can’t finish a course due to serious, documented reasons. You’ll need to complete the missing work by the deadline in the following semester, or the grade will default to an “E.”
- Withdrawals (‘W’): If you drop a class after the add/drop period, you’ll get a “W” on your record. It won’t hurt your GPA, but it stays on your transcript.
- NA (Never Attended): This is a red flag—professors give it when you never show up, and it counts as a 0.0 in your GPA.
Course Repeats and GPA Impact
If you retake a course at Illinois Tech, the newer grade replaces the original one in your GPA calculation. However, both attempts will still appear on your transcript. This can be a smart move if you’re trying to raise your GPA.
Pass/Fail Courses
Some courses may be taken on a Pass/Fail basis. If you pass, you earn credit—but the grade won’t count toward your GPA. This option is typically available only for electives and must be approved in advance.
Department or Program Exceptions
While the grade scales above are standard across Illinois Tech, some academic departments or specific programs may have their own rules. For example, a certain program might require a minimum grade of B in all major courses, even if a C technically passes. Always double-check with your department or advisor.
References
- catalog.iit.edu/undergraduate/academic-policies-procedures/grades-and-transcripts
- catalog.iit.edu/graduate/academic-policies-procedures/gpa
- iit.edu/registrar