How USC Grades and GPA Work
At the University of Southern California—also casually known as USC or Southern Cal—the GPA system is pretty standard but worth breaking down so you’re not left wondering how those A-minuses are really affecting your academic standing.
USC uses a 4.0 scale for GPA calculation, and letter grades are assigned numeric values based on this scale. Your GPA is the weighted average of these grade points, factoring in the number of units (credits) each class is worth.
USC Grade Scale
| Letter Grade | Grade Point Value |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| D− | 0.7 |
| F | 0.0 |
Some other notations you might see:
- P/NP (Pass/No Pass) – These don’t affect your GPA.
- W (Withdraw) – Doesn’t count toward GPA but appears on the transcript.
- IN (Incomplete) – Temporary and doesn’t affect GPA until resolved.
How Your GPA Is Calculated
USC calculates GPA using this formula:
GPA = Total Grade Points / Total Units Attempted
For each course:
- Multiply the grade point value by the number of units the course is worth.
- Add up all those grade points.
- Divide by the total number of graded units.
Example:
If you take three classes:
- 4 units of A (4.0) = 16.0 points
- 3 units of B+ (3.3) = 9.9 points
- 2 units of C (2.0) = 4.0 points
Total grade points = 29.9
Total units = 9
GPA = 29.9 / 9 = 3.32
GPA Policies by School or Department
While USC maintains a universal grading scale, some programs or schools within USC may have specific expectations:
| School or Program | Notable Policy or Requirement |
|---|---|
| Viterbi School of Engineering | Minimum 2.0 GPA in major and cumulative to graduate |
| Marshall School of Business | GPA requirements for progressing in the business major |
| Annenberg School for Communication | Must maintain 2.5 GPA for certain communications majors |
| Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences | Generally follows university-wide standards |
Always check with your department advisor for the most accurate and up-to-date policies for your program.
Important GPA Notes
- Repeated Courses: If you retake a course, USC uses both attempts in your GPA unless it’s an officially repeatable course.
- Academic Standing: You need to maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA to stay in good academic standing.
- Dean’s List: Awarded to full-time undergrads with a 3.5 GPA or higher for the semester and no grade lower than a C.