How GPA Works at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
At the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMN or just Minnesota), GPA is more than just a number—it’s a key factor in academic standing, scholarship eligibility, and even graduation. Let’s break down exactly how your GPA is calculated here.
What GPA System Does UMN Use?
UMN uses a 4.000 GPA scale. Every course you take earns you a letter grade, which converts into a numerical value. Your GPA is then the average of these grade points, weighted by the number of credits each course carries.
Both cumulative GPA and semester GPA are calculated using this system.
UMN Grade Scale and GPA Values
Here’s how letter grades translate into GPA points at UMN:
| Letter Grade | GPA Value |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| S (Satisfactory) | Not factored into GPA |
| N (No credit) | Not factored into GPA |
| I (Incomplete) | Temporarily not included until completed |
| W (Withdrawal) | Not included in GPA |
How to Calculate Your GPA
Here’s a step-by-step rundown of how your GPA is calculated:
- Multiply each course’s grade point by the number of credits it’s worth.
- Add up all the grade points.
- Divide the total grade points by the total number of GPA-eligible credits.
Example:
- CHEM 1010 (3 credits, grade A–): 3.667 × 3 = 11.001
- MATH 1271 (4 credits, grade B): 3.000 × 4 = 12.000
- PSY 1001 (3 credits, grade B+): 3.333 × 3 = 9.999
Total grade points = 33.000
Total GPA credits = 10
GPA = 33.000 ÷ 10 = 3.30
Departmental or Faculty GPA Variations
While the university uses a standard scale, some colleges within UMN may enforce stricter grading policies, particularly:
- College of Science and Engineering (CSE): Often has rigorous curve-based grading, especially in math and engineering courses.
- Carlson School of Management (CSOM): Known to maintain competitive grading due to the business school’s prestige.
- College of Liberal Arts (CLA): Grading may be more flexible, especially in discussion or writing-intensive courses.
However, all use the same GPA point values. Differences are more about grade distributions than the scale itself.
Other GPA-Related Notes
- Repeated courses: If you retake a course, only the most recent grade counts in your GPA, but the earlier grade remains on your transcript.
- Transfer credits: These count toward your degree but not your UMN GPA.
- Graduate vs. Undergraduate: Graduate students may have slightly different standards (e.g., a C is often considered failing), but the grade point values are the same.