How GPA Is Defined at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
At UNC Chapel Hill, undergraduate letter grades are assigned quality points on a standard 4.0 scale, from A = 4.0 to F = 0.0. These points are weighted by course credit hours and averaged to compute a student’s GPA. Temporary grades such as IN or AB do not contribute to GPA until replaced with permanent grades. Certain notations, including PS, LP, and W, appear on the transcript but do not affect GPA calculations. Graduate programs administered through The Graduate School do not report a traditional numerical GPA.
Who This GPA Calculator Is For
| Applies To | Does Not Apply To |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate students at UNC Chapel Hill with letter-graded courses | Graduate students whose programs do not report a traditional numerical GPA |
| Students calculating term or cumulative undergraduate GPA | Programs or degrees that use non-numeric or narrative grading systems |
Before You Use the GPA Calculator
- Collect all completed courses with final letter grades.
- Confirm the credit hours for each course.
- Exclude courses with temporary or non-GPA grades.
This calculator is intended to match the undergraduate GPA calculation used by UNC Chapel Hill.
Types of GPA Reported at UNC Chapel Hill
- Undergraduate GPA: A numerical GPA calculated on a 4.0 scale using quality points and credit hours.
- Graduate GPA: No traditional numerical GPA is reported for most graduate programs.
Not all students will see all GPA types on their records. This calculator matches the undergraduate GPA.
Undergraduate GPA
Undergraduate GPA is calculated using the official UNC Chapel Hill grading scale. Only courses with final letter grades that carry quality points are included. Courses graded on a pass/low pass or similar basis do not affect GPA, even though they may appear on the transcript.
Faculty / School GPA Distinction
| Faculty / School | GPA Calculated? | GPA Scale | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of Arts and Sciences | Yes | 4.0 scale | Standard undergraduate grading rules apply |
| Other undergraduate schools | Yes | 4.0 scale | Uses the same university-wide grading scale |
| Graduate School programs | No GPA reported | N/A | Grades recorded without a numerical GPA |
Official GPA Scale
| Letter Grade | Quality Points |
|---|---|
| A | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B- | 2.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 |
| C | 2.0 |
| C- | 1.7 |
| D+ | 1.3 |
| D | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
Which Courses Count Toward GPA
| Included in GPA | Not Included in GPA |
|---|---|
| Courses with letter grades A–F | Pass/Low Pass (PS/LP) courses |
| Credit-bearing undergraduate courses | Withdrawals (W) |
| Final, permanent grades | Temporary grades (IN, AB) |
GPA miscounts most often occur when non-letter grades or temporary grades are mistakenly included.
How Course Units Affect GPA at UNC
Each course’s impact on GPA depends on its credit hours. Courses with more credit hours contribute more heavily to the GPA calculation because quality points are multiplied by course units.
How GPA Is Calculated
UNC calculates GPA by dividing total quality points by total GPA-eligible credit hours.
Example:
A student earns an A (4.0) in a 3-credit course and a B+ (3.3) in a 4-credit course.
Quality points earned are (4.0 × 3) + (3.3 × 4) = 25.2.
Total GPA credit hours are 7.
The GPA is 25.2 ÷ 7 = 3.60.
Course Repeats or Special GPA Rules
When an undergraduate course is repeated, all attempts appear on the transcript. GPA treatment follows the official UNC Chapel Hill repeat and grading policies, which determine how repeated coursework affects GPA.
Transcript Grades vs GPA Calculations
Some transcript entries reflect academic status or course outcomes but do not carry quality points. These grades appear on the academic record without affecting GPA totals.
Graduate GPA
Graduate programs administered through The Graduate School at UNC Chapel Hill do not calculate or report a traditional numerical GPA on the 4.0 scale. Grading practices are defined at the graduate level without a cumulative GPA figure.
Common GPA Mistakes Students Make
- Including pass/low pass courses in GPA calculations.
- Counting courses with temporary grades before they are finalized.
- Ignoring credit-hour weighting when calculating GPA manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does UNC Chapel Hill calculate GPA for undergraduate students?
Yes. UNC Chapel Hill calculates an undergraduate GPA using a 4.0 quality-point scale and course credit hours. This GPA appears on official academic records.
Are pass/low pass courses included in GPA at UNC?
No. Pass and low pass grades are recorded on the transcript but do not carry quality points and are not included in GPA calculations.
Do temporary grades affect GPA?
No. Temporary grades such as IN or AB are excluded from GPA calculations until a permanent grade is assigned.
Is GPA calculated for graduate students at UNC Chapel Hill?
Most graduate programs do not report a numerical GPA. Graduate grading follows program-specific rules without a standard GPA figure.
Does UNC use the same GPA scale across undergraduate schools?
Yes. All undergraduate schools at UNC Chapel Hill use the same official 4.0 grading scale for GPA calculation.
Related Official University Links
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Registrar — Your Grades
https://registrar.unc.edu/your-grades/ - UNC Chapel Hill Registrar — The Grading System
https://registrar.unc.edu/upm-24-the-grading-system/ - UNC Chapel Hill Academic Catalog — Academic Standing
https://catalog.unc.edu/policies-procedures/academic-standing/ - UNC Chapel Hill Academic Catalog — Attendance, Grading, and Examination Policies
https://catalog.unc.edu/policies-procedures/attendance-grading-examination/
Accuracy Disclaimer
This guide is based solely on publicly available academic policies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Official university transcripts and records govern final GPA calculations.