How GPA Is Defined at University of Minnesota
At the University of Minnesota (all campuses), GPA is a weighted average of grade points earned in University of Minnesota coursework. Only grades on the A–F scale that carry grade points are included in GPA calculations. Courses graded on the S–N option do not affect GPA. Transfer coursework and non-graded credits are not included in the University GPA.
Who This GPA Calculator Is For
| Applies To | Does Not Apply To |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota | Transfer coursework from other institutions |
| Graduate and professional students | Courses graded S or N |
| Students enrolled at any UMN campus | Audited or non-credit coursework |
Before You Use the GPA Calculator
- Include only University of Minnesota courses with letter grades that carry grade points.
- Exclude all courses graded S or N.
- Use the official credit values listed on your University of Minnesota transcript.
This calculator is intended to match the official University of Minnesota term and cumulative GPA.
Types of GPA Reported at University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota officially reports:
- Term GPA, which reflects grades earned in a single academic term.
- Cumulative GPA, which reflects all GPA-eligible coursework taken at the University.
Not all students see every GPA type, depending on academic level and program.
Undergraduate GPA
Undergraduate GPA is calculated using all A–F graded coursework completed at the University of Minnesota. Courses graded S/N, transfer credits, and non-credit work do not affect the undergraduate GPA.
Faculty / School GPA Distinction Table
| Faculty / School | GPA Calculated? | GPA Scale | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| All undergraduate colleges | Yes | 4.000 | University-wide GPA policy applies |
| College of Liberal Arts, CSE, Carlson, and others | Yes | 4.000 | Same grade-point scale across colleges |
| Law School | Yes | 4.000 | A+ grades may be assigned in Law courses |
Official GPA Scale
The University of Minnesota uses the following grade-to-point values:
| Grade | Grade 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+ | 1.333 |
| D | 1.000 |
| F | 0.000 |
A+ and D- grades are generally not used, except in specific Law School courses.
Which Courses Count Toward GPA
| Included in GPA | Not Included in GPA |
|---|---|
| University of Minnesota courses graded A–F | Satisfactory/Non-satisfactory (S/N) courses |
| Courses from any UMN campus | Transfer coursework |
| Repeated courses (per repeat rules) | Audited or non-credit courses |
Miscounts often occur when S/N grades or transfer coursework are mistakenly included.
How Course Units Affect GPA at University of Minnesota
Each course’s grade points are multiplied by its official credit value. Courses with higher credit values have a proportionally greater effect on GPA.
How GPA Is Calculated
Official formula:
GPA = Total grade points ÷ Total GPA-eligible credits
Example:
A student earns:
- 3 credits of A
- 4 credits of B+
- 3 credits of C
Total grade points = (3×4.000) + (4×3.333) + (3×2.000) = 31.332
Total credits = 10
GPA = 3.133
Course Repeats or Special GPA Rules
For undergraduates, when a course is repeated, both attempts appear on the transcript, but only the most recent grade is used in GPA calculation. Credits are counted once.
For graduate students, all repeated course grades remain in the GPA calculation.
Transcript Grades vs GPA Calculations
Some transcript grades do not affect GPA. Grades such as I (Incomplete), W (Withdrawal), S, N, and audit appear on the transcript but are excluded from GPA calculations.
Graduate GPA
Graduate GPA is calculated using A–F graded coursework taken at the University of Minnesota. S grades do not carry grade points and are excluded. All course attempts, including repeats, are included in the graduate GPA unless a program publishes an exception.
Common GPA Mistakes Students Make
- Including S/N courses when calculating GPA
- Counting transfer grades toward the University GPA
- Applying grade values that are not used by the University
- Misapplying undergraduate repeat rules to graduate coursework
Frequently Asked Questions
What grades count toward my University of Minnesota GPA?
Only University of Minnesota courses with letter grades that carry grade points are included. Grades such as S, N, W, I, and audit do not affect GPA.
Are transfer grades included in my GPA?
No. Transfer coursework may count toward degree requirements but does not factor into the University of Minnesota GPA.
Does every college at UMN use the same GPA scale?
Yes. All colleges and campuses use the same official A–F grade-point scale.
How are repeated courses handled for GPA?
Undergraduates have only the most recent grade counted in GPA, while graduate students have all attempts included.
Does an A+ raise my GPA above 4.0?
No. The GPA scale is capped at 4.000. A+ grades may be assigned only in specific Law School courses and do not exceed 4.0.
Do S grades improve my GPA?
No. S grades may earn credit where allowed but do not contribute to GPA.
Related Official University Links
- University of Minnesota – Grading and Transcripts Administrative Policy
https://policy.umn.edu/education/gradingtranscripts - University of Minnesota One Stop – Grades and GPA
https://onestop.umn.edu/academics/transcripts-and-grades/grades - University of Minnesota – Undergraduate Credit and Grade Point Requirements
https://policy.umn.edu/education/bacreditreq - University of Minnesota – Grading Policies and Options
https://onestop.umn.edu/academics/transcripts-and-grades/grading-policies
Accuracy Disclaimer
This guide is based solely on publicly available University of Minnesota academic and registrar documentation. Official transcripts and University policies govern all final GPA calculations.