How GPA Is Defined at Syracuse University
Syracuse University uses an A–F letter grading system on a 4.0 scale for both undergraduate and graduate coursework. Each letter grade is assigned quality points according to this scale, and a student’s GPA is calculated by weighting those quality points by the credit hours of graded courses. Only letter-graded courses that earn academic credit are included in the GPA calculation. Neutral or non-graded symbols (e.g., P, AU, WD, NA) are recorded but do not affect GPA.
Who This GPA Calculator Is For
| Applies To | Does Not Apply To |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate students taking letter-graded courses | Courses taken pass/fail where a “P” grade is earned (P does not count toward GPA) |
| Graduate students whose programs assign letter grades | Audit (AU) or non-attendance (NA) graded courses |
| Students repeating courses where a new letter grade is assigned | Courses with neutral symbols that do not carry GPA weight |
Before You Use the GPA Calculator
Checklist:
- List all courses you’ve taken with letter grades.
- Record the credit hours associated with each course.
- Exclude courses that are Pass (P), Audit (AU), Withdrawn (WD), or NA from both total grade points and total graded credits.
- Use the official Syracuse University 4.0 quality point conversions for letter grades.
This calculator is intended to match the official Syracuse University GPA calculation methodology used in academic records.
Types of GPA Reported at Syracuse University
Syracuse University produces at least the following GPA types:
- Semester (term) GPA — based on graded courses for a specific term.
- Cumulative GPA — combines all graded coursework at the university level.
Not all students see every GPA type (e.g., students at some professional schools may have different reporting).
Undergraduate GPA
Undergraduate GPA is the average of quality points earned per credit hour in letter-graded courses on the 4.0 scale. All colleges and schools within Syracuse University use this common GPA methodology unless explicitly noted in school-specific policies.
Official GPA Scale
Syracuse University grading uses the following quality point scale:
| Letter Grade | Quality Points |
|---|---|
| A | 4.000 |
| A- | 3.667 |
| B+ | 3.333 |
| B | 3.000 |
| B- | 2.667 |
| C+ | 2.333 |
| C | 2.000 |
| C- | 1.667 |
| D | 1.000 |
| D- | 0.667 |
| F | 0.000 |
Neutral grades such as P (Pass), AU (Audit), and NA (Did Not Attend) do not contribute to these calculations.
Which Courses Count Toward GPA
| Included in GPA | Not Included in GPA |
|---|---|
| Letter-graded courses (A–F) | Pass (P) |
| Retaken courses where a new grade is assigned | Audit (AU) |
| Courses with official withdrawals (WD) | Neutral/Non-graded symbols |
| Repeated courses where grades are replaced | NA (Did Not Attend) |
Some courses may be flagged or removed from GPA by petition according to academic rules.
How Course Units Affect GPA
Each course’s quality points are multiplied by the credit hours for the course. The sum of all such “grade points” is divided by the total credit hours of all graded courses to produce the GPA.
How GPA Is Calculated
Formula:
GPA = (Sum of (credit hours × quality points)) ÷ (Sum of credit hours for graded courses)
Example:
If you take three courses:
- Course A: 3 credits, B+ (3.333 quality points) = 9.999 grade points
- Course B: 4 credits, A (4.000) = 16.000 grade points
- Course C: 3 credits, B (3.000) = 9.000 grade points
Total grade points = 34.999
Total graded credits = 10
GPA = 34.999 ÷ 10 = 3.499
Course Repeats or Special GPA Rules
Some courses may be repeated. How repeats affect GPA (e.g., whether only the most recent grade counts) is governed by individual academic rules and may vary by school or program.
Transcript Grades vs GPA Calculations
Not all grades on a transcript affect the GPA. Neutral symbols (e.g., P, AU) show on transcripts but are excluded from GPA math.
Graduate GPA
Graduate programs also typically use a 4.0 GPA scale with letter grades. Some graduate units may have additional academic progress requirements tied to minimum GPA thresholds.
Common GPA Mistakes Students Make
- Including Pass (P) grades in GPA calculations (these do not count).
- Forgetting to exclude audit (AU) courses.
- Miscounting courses with neutral symbols.
- Using the wrong quality point values.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to a pass/fail course?
Pass/fail courses where a P is earned do not affect your GPA but may count toward degree requirements.
Does an audited course affect GPA?
No. Audited courses do not earn credit and do not affect the GPA.
Are all schools at Syracuse University using the same GPA scale?
Yes. The 4.0 letter grade scale is standard unless a specific professional school publishes a documented exception.
How are incomplete grades treated?
Incomplete grades typically remain neutral and do not affect GPA until a final grade is submitted.
Do repeated courses change my cumulative GPA?
Policies vary; check your school/college rules for repeat grade treatment.
Related Official University Links
- Syracuse University Office of the Registrar
https://registrar.syr.edu/ - Syracuse University Undergraduate Academic Rules and Grading Policies
https://coursecatalog.syracuse.edu/undergraduate/academic-rules/ - Syracuse University Graduate Academic Rules and Grading Policies
https://coursecatalog.syracuse.edu/graduate/academic-rules/ - Syracuse University Registrar — Grades and Academic Records
https://registrar.syr.edu/students/grades/
Accuracy Disclaimer
This guide reflects Syracuse University GPA and grading policies based on official Syracuse University Registrar and Academic Rules documentation. Official transcripts and Registrar calculations govern final academic standing and GPA.