How GPA Is Defined at the University of Kansas
At the University of Kansas, the official GPA is calculated as the total grade points earned divided by the total graded credit hours attempted. Only courses with letter grades of A, B, C, D, or F are included in the GPA calculation. Grades such as W, I, CR, NC, P, and other non-graded marks are excluded from GPA calculation.
The official KU GPA appears on the academic transcript and in Enroll & Pay. While KU may calculate additional GPAs for specific academic or certification purposes, those values are separate from the official transcript GPA.
Who This GPA Calculator Is For
| Applies To | Does Not Apply To |
|---|---|
| KU undergraduate students | Transfer-only GPA calculations |
| KU graduate students with letter-graded coursework | Major-specific certification GPAs |
| Students calculating semester or cumulative KU GPA | Program-specific GPA formulas not reported university-wide |
Before You Use the GPA Calculator
Before entering courses into the calculator:
- Include only KU courses with letter grades A through F.
- Enter the correct credit hours for each course.
- Exclude courses graded W, I, CR, NC, P, NP, or similar marks.
- If a course has been repeated under KU’s grade replacement policy, use only the grade that applies to GPA.
This calculator is intended to match the official University of Kansas GPA reported on the transcript.
Types of GPA Reported at the University of Kansas
The University of Kansas reports multiple GPA types depending on academic context:
- Official KU GPA
- KU plus Transfer GPA
- Major KU Junior/Senior GPA
- Minor or Certificate GPA
Not all students see all GPA types. This calculator aligns with the Official KU GPA.
Undergraduate GPA
Undergraduate GPA at KU is based on KU coursework graded A through F. The GPA reflects only graded credit hours completed at the University of Kansas. Some schools or programs may calculate additional GPAs for internal review, but those do not replace the official GPA.
Faculty / School GPA Distinctions
| Faculty / School | GPA Calculated? | GPA Scale | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of Liberal Arts & Sciences | Yes | 4.0 scale | Uses standard KU grading |
| School of Engineering | Yes | 4.0 scale | Standard grading applies |
| School of Business | Yes | 4.0 scale | No alternate GPA scale documented |
| Other undergraduate schools | Yes | 4.0 scale | No school-specific GPA scales published |
Official GPA Scale
The University of Kansas uses the following grade-to-point values for GPA calculation:
| Letter Grade | Grade 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+ | 1.3 |
| D | 1.0 |
| D– | 0.7 |
| F | 0.0 |
No alternate grade point values are applied unless explicitly stated by the university.
Which Courses Count Toward GPA
| Included in GPA | Not Included in GPA |
|---|---|
| Courses graded A–F at KU | Withdrawn (W) |
| Eligible repeated courses | Incomplete (I) |
| Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit | |
| Audit or non-credit coursework |
GPA miscalculations most often occur when non-graded courses are mistakenly included.
How Course Units Affect GPA at the University of Kansas
Each course contributes to GPA based on its credit hours. Courses with higher credit values carry greater weight in the GPA calculation. All graded credit hours are weighted equally by the grade point scale.
How GPA Is Calculated
The University of Kansas uses the following formula:
GPA = Total Grade Points ÷ Total Graded Credit Hours
Example calculation:
- 3-credit course with an A = 12.0 grade points
- 4-credit course with a B+ = 13.2 grade points
- 3-credit course with a C = 6.0 grade points
Total grade points: 31.2
Total graded credits: 10
GPA: 3.12
Course Repeats or Special GPA Rules
Undergraduate students may repeat eligible courses under KU’s grade replacement policy. When applicable, the replacement grade is used in GPA calculations. All course attempts remain visible on the transcript, but only the applicable grade is counted toward GPA.
Transcript Grades vs GPA Calculations
Some grades appear on the transcript but do not affect GPA. These include W, I, CR, NC, P, and similar designations. Only letter-graded coursework is used in GPA calculation.
Graduate GPA
Graduate GPA is calculated using letter-graded graduate coursework. Non-graded marks are excluded. Graduate programs may impose additional GPA requirements for good standing or degree completion.
Common GPA Mistakes Students Make
- Including withdrawn or pass/fail courses in GPA calculations
- Using transfer grades in the official KU GPA
- Ignoring credit-hour weighting
- Misapplying the grade replacement policy
Frequently Asked Questions
What GPA does the University of Kansas consider official?
The official GPA is the value shown on the KU transcript and in Enroll & Pay. It includes only KU coursework graded A through F.
Do transfer credits count toward my KU GPA?
No. Transfer coursework does not affect the official KU GPA, though it may be used for degree requirement evaluation.
Do repeated courses affect my GPA?
Yes. When grade replacement applies, the replacement grade is used in GPA calculation, while the transcript retains all attempts.
Are Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit courses included in GPA?
No. These grades do not factor into GPA calculations.
Can different GPAs appear for different purposes?
Yes. KU may calculate separate GPAs for majors, minors, or certifications, but those are distinct from the official GPA.
Related Official University Links
- University of Kansas Office of the Registrar
https://registrar.ku.edu/ - University of Kansas Academic Catalog — Regulations and Grading
https://catalog.ku.edu/regulations/ - University of Kansas Undergraduate Grades and GPA
https://collegeundergrad.ku.edu/grades-grade-point-average-gpa - University of Kansas Graduate Academic Policies
https://coga.ku.edu/grading-your-gpa
Accuracy Disclaimer
This guide is based exclusively on publicly available University of Kansas registrar and academic catalog documentation. Official university records and transcripts govern all final GPA determinations.