How GPA Is Defined at University of Houston
The University of Houston calculates grade point averages using a 4.0 quality-point scale. Each letter grade carries a specific grade point value. GPA is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of semester credit hours attempted in courses that receive letter grades. Official GPAs are truncated to two decimal places, not rounded.
Who This GPA Calculator Is For
| Applies To | Does Not Apply To |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate students enrolled at UH | Transfer coursework taken outside UH |
| Graduate students with letter-graded courses | Courses graded S, U, W, or I |
| Students calculating semester or cumulative GPA | Non-credit or audit courses |
Before You Use the GPA Calculator
Before entering information, confirm:
- Credit hours for each UH course
- Letter grades earned or expected
- That only UH coursework is included
- That grades use the official UH grading scale
This calculator is intended to match the official University of Houston GPA calculation for UH coursework only.
Types of GPA Reported at University of Houston
The University of Houston officially reports:
- Semester GPA, reflecting performance in a single academic term
- Cumulative GPA, reflecting performance across all completed terms
Not all students will see all GPA types, depending on enrollment and grading method. This calculator aligns with semester and cumulative GPA calculations.
Undergraduate GPA
Undergraduate GPA is calculated using all letter-graded undergraduate courses taken at the University of Houston. All graded attempts are included in GPA calculations unless a specific exception is documented by the university.
Faculty / School GPA Distinction
| Faculty / School | GPA Calculated? | GPA Scale | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| All undergraduate colleges | Yes | 4.0 scale | Uses centralized UH grading policies |
Official GPA Scale
The University of Houston uses the following official grade-to-point values:
| Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|
| A | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.67 |
| B+ | 3.33 |
| B | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.67 |
| C+ | 2.33 |
| C | 2.00 |
| C- | 1.67 |
| D+ | 1.33 |
| D | 1.00 |
| D- | 0.67 |
| F | 0.00 |
A+ does not receive additional grade points beyond 4.00.
Which Courses Count Toward GPA
| Included in GPA | Not Included in GPA |
|---|---|
| Letter-graded courses (A–F) | Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory (S/U) |
| Undergraduate and graduate letter grades | Withdrawn (W) |
| All graded attempts at UH | Incomplete (I) |
| Transfer coursework |
Miscounts commonly occur when non-graded courses or transfer credits are mistakenly included.
How Course Units Affect GPA at University of Houston
Each course’s credit hours determine its weight in GPA calculations. Courses with more credit hours contribute more heavily to the total grade point calculation than courses with fewer credit hours.
How GPA Is Calculated
The University of Houston uses the following formula:
GPA = Total Grade Points ÷ Total GPA Credit Hours
Example:
A 3-credit course with a grade of A contributes 12.00 grade points.
A 3-credit course with a grade of B contributes 9.00 grade points.
A 3-credit course with a grade of C+ contributes 6.99 grade points.
Total grade points (27.99) divided by total credits (9) equals a GPA of 3.11, truncated to two decimal places.
Course Repeats or Special GPA Rules
All graded course attempts at the University of Houston are included in GPA calculations. The university does not apply automatic grade replacement for repeated courses unless explicitly stated in official academic policy.
Transcript Grades vs GPA Calculations
Certain grades appear on the academic transcript but do not affect GPA. These include S, U, W, and I grades, which carry no grade point value.
Graduate GPA
Graduate GPA at the University of Houston is calculated on the same 4.0 scale as undergraduate GPA. Only letter-graded graduate coursework is included. Some graduate programs use S/U grading, which does not contribute to GPA. GPA reporting and requirements may vary by graduate program.
Common GPA Mistakes Students Make
- Including transfer credit grades in UH GPA
- Rounding GPA instead of truncating
- Including S/U or W grades in calculations
- Ignoring credit-hour weighting
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the University of Houston include transfer grades in GPA?
No. Transfer coursework may count toward degree requirements but does not factor into the University of Houston GPA. Only coursework completed at UH is included.
Does UH round GPA values?
No. The University of Houston truncates GPA values to two decimal places rather than rounding.
Do repeated courses replace earlier grades?
No. All graded attempts are included in GPA calculations unless a specific exception is documented by official policy.
Do S or U grades affect GPA?
No. Satisfactory and Unsatisfactory grades do not carry grade points and are excluded from GPA calculations.
Is graduate GPA calculated separately from undergraduate GPA?
Yes. Graduate GPA is calculated separately using only graduate-level coursework.
Related Official University Links
- University of Houston Academic Catalog — Grading Policies
https://publications.uh.edu/ - University of Houston Undergraduate Academic Regulations
https://publications.uh.edu/content.php?catoid=44 - University of Houston Graduate Academic Regulations
https://publications.uh.edu/content.php?catoid=45 - University of Houston Student Success Center — GPA Information
https://www.uh.edu/ussc/
Accuracy Disclaimer
This guide is based on publicly available University of Houston academic and registrar documentation. Official university records and transcripts govern all final GPA determinations.