GPA at Northwestern University: What You Need to Know
Northwestern University (often just called “Northwestern”) uses a 4.0 grading scale to calculate GPA. If you’re taking classes here—or planning to—it’s important to understand how your letter grades turn into numbers and how those numbers shape your academic standing.
Let’s walk through how GPA works at Northwestern, from grade values to department differences.
How Grades Convert to GPA
Northwestern follows a standard letter-to-number GPA system. Here’s the typical breakdown:
| Letter Grade | GPA Value |
|---|---|
| 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 |
A few key things to know:
- There are no A+ grades at Northwestern. The highest you can earn is an A (4.0).
- Pass/No Pass courses (P/N) do not affect GPA. However, you’ll still earn credit if you pass.
- Some courses may be graded as S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) for graduate or professional programs.
How GPA Is Calculated
Northwestern calculates GPA as a weighted average, meaning each course grade is multiplied by the number of credit hours for the course. Here’s the step-by-step:
- Multiply the GPA value of each course by the number of credits.
- Add up all those “quality points.”
- Divide by the total number of graded (not P/N) credits attempted.
Example:
- A in a 4-credit class = 4.0 × 4 = 16
- B+ in a 3-credit class = 3.3 × 3 = 9.9
- C in a 1-credit class = 2.0 × 1 = 2
Total quality points = 27.9
Total graded credits = 8
GPA = 27.9 ÷ 8 = 3.49
Faculty or Program-Based Differences
While most undergrads follow the same scale, there can be differences in how grading is approached in specific schools or departments at Northwestern:
School-Specific Grading Notes
| School/College | Grading Notes |
|---|---|
| Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences | Standard letter grades; Pass/No Pass available under certain rules |
| McCormick School of Engineering | Encourages GPA review alongside course difficulty |
| School of Communication | Grade distribution tends to be slightly higher; policies around grade inflation are actively monitored |
| Bienen School of Music | Performance-based courses may use S/U or P/N grading |
| Medill School of Journalism | Upholds rigorous grading; GPA matters for internships and study abroad |
Graduate and professional schools (like Kellogg, Feinberg, Pritzker) often have modified scales or use H/P/F (Honors/Pass/Fail) or S/U systems. Always check your department or program handbook.
Things to Watch Out For
- Retaking Classes: When you retake a class, both grades stay on your record, but only the most recent grade counts toward GPA.
- Incomplete (X) Grades: These don’t affect GPA unless they turn into an F.
- Withdrawals (W): Not factored into GPA, but do show on transcripts.
- Academic Probation: Generally kicks in if your cumulative GPA drops below 2.0.