How GPA Is Defined at Northwestern University
At Northwestern University, grade point average (GPA) is calculated as the weighted average of grade points earned divided by the total number of academic credits attempted for graded coursework. Letter grades are assigned specific grade point values that determine GPA. Courses taken Pass/No Pass, audit, or without academic credit do not factor into GPA calculations. Failing and unresolved grades that carry grade points are included.
Who This GPA Calculator Is For
| Applies To | Does Not Apply To |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate students earning letter grades | Courses taken Pass/No Pass |
| Graduate students in letter-graded programs | Audit or noncredit coursework |
| Term and cumulative GPA calculation | Professional programs with separate grading scales |
Before You Use the GPA Calculator
- Use official course credit values from your academic record
- Enter only courses that received letter grades
- Exclude Pass/No Pass, audit, and noncredit courses
- Confirm whether your program uses a standard or alternate GPA scale
This calculator is intended to match Northwestern’s official term and cumulative GPA calculations where a GPA is reported.
Types of GPA Reported at Northwestern University
- Term (Quarter) GPA: GPA calculated for a single academic quarter
- Cumulative GPA: GPA calculated across all graded coursework
Not all students see all GPA types, depending on school and program. This calculator matches standard term and cumulative GPA reporting.
Undergraduate GPA
Northwestern undergraduate GPA is calculated using a standard 4.0 grading scale based on letter grades earned in credit-bearing coursework.
Faculty / School GPA Distinctions
| Faculty / School | GPA Calculated? | GPA Scale | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences | Yes | 4.0 | Standard letter grading |
| McCormick School of Engineering | Yes | 4.0 | Same GPA scale as Weinberg |
| School of Communication | Yes | 4.0 | Letter-graded coursework |
| Bienen School of Music | Yes | 4.0 | Performance courses may have unique grading |
| Graduate Schools (non-Law) | Yes | 4.0 | Program-specific grading rules |
| Pritzker School of Law | Yes | 4.33 | Separate grading scale |
Official GPA Scale
| 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 | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
| X / Y | 0.0 |
Pass (P), No Grade (N), Satisfactory (S), Unsatisfactory (U), Withdrawn (W), and Not Reported (NR) grades are excluded from GPA.
Which Courses Count Toward GPA
| Included in GPA | Not Included in GPA |
|---|---|
| Letter-graded courses | Pass/No Pass courses |
| Failed grades | Audit courses |
| Repeated graded attempts | Noncredit coursework |
| Credit-bearing courses | Withdrawals |
Miscounts commonly occur when students include Pass/No Pass or audit courses that do not carry grade points.
How Course Units Affect GPA at Northwestern University
Each course’s academic credit value determines its weight in the GPA calculation. Courses with more credits have a proportionally larger effect on GPA than lower-credit courses.
How GPA Is Calculated
Official Formula:
GPA = Total Quality Points ÷ Total Graded Credits Attempted
Quality points are calculated by multiplying the grade point value by the course’s credit units.
Example:
- Course A: 4 credits × 3.0 = 12.0 quality points
- Course B: 3 credits × 3.7 = 11.1 quality points
Total quality points: 23.1
Total graded credits: 7
GPA: 3.30
Course Repeats or Special GPA Rules
Course repeat policies are determined at the school or program level. Repeated courses remain on the transcript. Whether the original grade is excluded from GPA depends on official school policy.
Transcript Grades vs GPA Calculations
Some transcript grades appear on the academic record but do not affect GPA. Only grades assigned numeric grade points are included in GPA calculations.
Graduate GPA
Most Northwestern graduate programs calculate GPA using the same 4.0 scale as undergraduate programs. Professional programs may use different grading scales. Law School GPA is calculated on a 4.33 scale.
Common GPA Mistakes Students Make
- Including Pass/No Pass or audit courses
- Using the wrong GPA scale for professional programs
- Forgetting that failing or unresolved grades carry grade points
- Miscounting course credit values
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Northwestern University cap GPA at 4.0?
Yes. Most undergraduate and graduate programs report GPA on a 4.0 scale. Professional programs may use alternate scales.
Do Pass/No Pass courses affect GPA?
No. Pass/No Pass courses do not carry grade points and are excluded from GPA.
Are incomplete grades included in GPA?
Unresolved incomplete grades with grade point designations count as 0.0 until resolved.
Do withdrawn courses affect GPA?
No. Withdrawn courses appear on transcripts but do not factor into GPA.
Is graduate GPA calculated differently from undergraduate GPA?
Most graduate programs use the same calculation method, but professional schools may differ.
Are repeated courses removed from GPA?
Policies vary by school. Repeated courses remain on the transcript, and GPA treatment depends on program rules.
Related Official University Links
- Northwestern University Office of the Registrar
https://www.registrar.northwestern.edu/ - Northwestern University Undergraduate Academic Catalog — Grades
https://catalogs.northwestern.edu/undergraduate/requirements-policies/grades/ - Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences — Grading Policies
https://weinberg.northwestern.edu/undergraduate/courses-registration-grades/grades/ - Northwestern Pritzker School of Law — Grading Policy
https://www.law.northwestern.edu/registrar/gradingpolicy/
Accuracy Disclaimer
This guide is based on publicly available Northwestern University academic policies. Official transcripts and registrar determinations govern final GPA calculations.