GPA Guide: University of Arizona
Whether you’re a Wildcat freshman fresh off Orientation or a senior eyeing your final GPA for graduation, understanding how the University of Arizona (UA) calculates your GPA is essential. It’s not just about letter grades—it’s about how those letters convert into points that shape your academic story.
Let’s break it all down so you can keep your GPA goals in sight.
How GPA Works at the University of Arizona
UA uses a 4.0 GPA scale, which means each grade corresponds to a set number of grade points per credit hour. The GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of graded credit hours attempted.
This system includes all A–F grades and plus/minus variations, so a B+ isn’t the same as a B, and an A– isn’t quite a perfect A.
University of Arizona GPA Scale
| Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|
| A | 4.000 |
| A– | 3.667 |
| B+ | 3.333 |
| B | 3.000 |
| B– | 2.667 |
| C+ | 2.333 |
| C | 2.000 |
| D+ | 1.333 |
| D | 1.000 |
| D– | 0.667 |
| E (Failing) | 0.000 |
UA does not use an F grade. Instead, a failing grade is recorded as E, and it still counts as 0.000 grade points.
What Courses Count Toward GPA?
Only courses taken for letter grades affect your GPA. These include most standard undergraduate and graduate courses. Courses graded as Pass/Fail (P/F), Audit (AU), or Withdrawn (W) do not affect your GPA.
If you repeat a class, only the most recent grade is used in the GPA—even if it’s lower than the original. However, both attempts remain on your transcript.
Special GPA Notes by Program
There aren’t radically different GPA policies across undergraduate colleges, but certain programs with selective admissions—like Engineering, Nursing, or Business—may require a higher minimum GPA for admission or progression. Always check with your academic advisor if you’re in a specialized track.
How to Calculate Your GPA (UA Style)
Here’s the basic formula:
GPA = Total Grade Points / Total Attempted Credit Hours
Let’s say you took 15 credit hours this semester and earned:
- A in a 3-credit class = 3 × 4.000 = 12.000
- B+ in a 3-credit class = 3 × 3.333 = 9.999
- C in a 3-credit class = 3 × 2.000 = 6.000
- A– in a 3-credit class = 3 × 3.667 = 11.001
- B in a 3-credit class = 3 × 3.000 = 9.000
Total Grade Points = 48.000
Total Credit Hours = 15
GPA = 48.000 / 15 = 3.20
Academic Standing & GPA Minimums
To stay in good standing:
- Undergraduate students need a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
- Graduate students must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA.
Falling below these thresholds may place you on academic warning or probation, so it’s important to monitor your GPA each semester.
References
Here are the best official resources to learn more about GPA and grading at UA: