Understanding the GPA System at Tufts University
Tufts University uses a 4.0 GPA scale and calculates GPA by assigning each letter grade a numerical value. This value is then weighted by the number of credit hours for the course. Final GPA is the average of all weighted grades.
At Tufts, undergraduate grades not only appear on transcripts but also directly factor into eligibility for honors, graduation requirements, and sometimes even departmental distinctions. It’s important to note that while some graduate programs at Tufts may follow similar GPA scales, they may calculate or interpret GPA differently based on their academic unit.
Tufts University Grade Scale
| Letter Grade | GPA Value |
|---|---|
| A | 4.0 |
| A− | 3.67 |
| B+ | 3.33 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B− | 2.67 |
| C+ | 2.33 |
| C | 2.0 |
| C− | 1.67 |
| D+ | 1.33 |
| D | 1.0 |
| D− | 0.67 |
| F | 0.0 |
Grades like P (Pass), W (Withdraw), and I (Incomplete) do not carry GPA weight.
How GPA Is Calculated
Tufts uses the credit-hour method for GPA calculation:
- Multiply each course’s GPA value by the number of credits it carries.
- Add all the quality points together.
- Divide by the total number of graded credits attempted.
Example:
If you took three classes:
- A in a 3-credit course (4.0 x 3 = 12.0)
- B+ in a 4-credit course (3.33 x 4 = 13.32)
- C in a 3-credit course (2.0 x 3 = 6.0)
Your GPA = (12.0 + 13.32 + 6.0) ÷ 10 credits = 3.13 GPA
Departmental and Program Variations
Tufts doesn’t drastically alter GPA calculations by department, but some programs may have specific grading norms. For example:
- Engineering programs may curve differently due to competitive STEM standards.
- School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) students are graded on a pass/no credit system, which doesn’t affect GPA unless they opt into letter grades for some classes.
- Graduate and professional schools (like the Fletcher School or School of Medicine) have unique grading policies separate from the undergraduate college.
Always check with your department advisor or program handbook for any special rules.
Pass/Fail and GPA
Students can choose Pass/Fail (P/F) grading for some elective courses, but these don’t count toward GPA. However, a failing grade under the P/F option will appear as an “F” and will affect GPA.
Tufts also has a Credit/No Credit option that operates similarly, mostly used during exceptional circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic semesters.
GPA and Latin Honors
Here are the GPA thresholds for graduating with Latin Honors:
- Cum Laude: Top 25% of the class (usually around 3.55+)
- Magna Cum Laude: Top 15% of the class (usually around 3.75+)
- Summa Cum Laude: Top 5% of the class (usually around 3.9+)
These percentages can shift slightly year to year and depend on overall student performance.