How USD calculates GPA

USD calculates GPA by multiplying each course’s semester units by the grade-point value for the final grade, adding the grade points, and dividing by the applicable units attempted. For example, a 3-unit A earns 12.00 grade points, while a 3-unit B+ earns 9.99. Together, 21.99 grade points divided by 6 units gives a 3.665 GPA.

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

Important: A grade of F contributes zero grade points but its attempted units still affect GPA. A Pass does not affect GPA. Incomplete and withdrawal grades are excluded while they remain I or W.

Pass/Fail courses at USD

For an approved Pass/Fail course, P means the student earned the required passing performance and the course does not affect GPA. A failing result does affect GPA. USD generally requires students choosing the Pass/Fail option to be in good academic standing and meet the catalog’s other eligibility and course restrictions.

Do not enter a P as a numerical grade. In this calculator, select P so its units and grade points are excluded from the GPA calculation.

Transfer courses and your USD GPA

Approved transfer courses can add unit credit toward a USD degree, but their letter grades are not calculated into the cumulative USD GPA. For transfer-credit evaluation, USD generally requires a C- or better, with separate rules for Pass/Satisfactory/Credit coursework and particular historical terms.

Calculator note: Choose the transferred-course type when you want the calculator to recognize that the course does not belong in the USD GPA denominator or numerator.

Repeating a D or F course

USD’s undergraduate repeat rule is not a simple “replace every old grade” policy. Ordinarily, only a course with a D or F may be repeated for credit, and only one repetition is allowed unless the dean authorizes another attempt. For the first 10 units of repeated D/F coursework, the most recently earned grade and grade points are used in the undergraduate GPA. For later repetitions, the GPA is based on all grades and total units attempted.

A transfer repeat has different treatment: the lower USD grade can be removed from the USD GPA, while the transferred course contributes credit without grade points. EDRC courses are not eligible for grade replacement.

Calculator limitation: The shared Repeat Impact tool is disabled for USD because it cannot safely determine how much of a student’s 10-unit repeat allowance has already been used. Select the repeated D/F course type to pause the numerical estimate, then confirm the adjusted cumulative GPA with the Registrar.

What GPA do you need at USD?

A 2.0 GPA appears in several undergraduate policies, but the purpose matters. USD requires a minimum 2.0 GPA in work attempted at USD for the bachelor’s degree, and the catalog also requires a 2.0 or better in upper-division major coursework. A semester GPA below 2.0 or a cumulative USD GPA below 2.0 can place an undergraduate student on scholastic probation. Financial-aid satisfactory academic progress also uses a 2.0 cumulative GPA minimum together with pace and maximum-timeframe rules.

These are separate policies. A calculator result by itself does not determine graduation clearance, academic standing, or financial-aid eligibility.

USD honors GPA thresholds

For semester honors, full-time undergraduates with at least 12 units of standard graded coursework receive First Honors at 3.65 or higher and Second Honors from 3.40 through 3.64. Graduation honors use USD GPA: summa cum laude begins at 3.90, magna cum laude covers 3.70–3.89, and cum laude covers 3.50–3.69. Additional residency and eligibility conditions apply.

Departmental honors generally require a 3.5 or higher USD GPA in major courses plus the specified USD major-unit requirement. These distinctions are not the same as the separate 4.0 academic-achievement recognition at the Honors Convocation.

How to use the calculator

Enter your existing USD GPA and GPA-bearing units if you want a cumulative estimate. Add completed USD courses with their semester units and final grades. Put future courses in the planned section to see a projected GPA, and use the target tool to estimate the average grade points per unit needed over a chosen number of future units.

Leave transfer work out of the standard USD-course calculation or mark it as transferred coursework. For a repeated D/F course, use the repeat-review course type instead of manually deleting an old grade unless your official record already reflects the Registrar’s adjustment.

University of San Diego GPA FAQs

Does USD use a 4.0 GPA scale?

Yes. Standard undergraduate letter grades run from A = 4.00 through F = 0.00, with plus/minus values such as A- = 3.67, B+ = 3.33, and C- = 1.67.

Does a P grade affect my USD GPA?

No. A Pass is excluded from the GPA calculation. A failing Pass/Fail outcome does affect GPA.

Do transfer grades count in my University of San Diego GPA?

No. Approved transfer coursework is brought in for unit credit only; the external letter grade is not calculated into the cumulative USD GPA.

Does USD replace a grade when I repeat a class?

Sometimes, but not with an unlimited replacement rule. For the first 10 repeated units of eligible D/F coursework, USD uses the most recently earned grade in the undergraduate GPA. Later repetitions count all grades and attempted units, and special exceptions apply.

What GPA puts an undergraduate student on academic probation?

A semester GPA below 2.0 or a cumulative GPA below 2.0 for work attempted at USD can result in scholastic probation under the undergraduate catalog.

What GPA is required to graduate from USD?

The general bachelor’s-degree requirements include a 2.0 or better GPA in courses at USD and a 2.0 or better GPA in upper-division major coursework, along with the university’s other degree requirements.

What GPA is needed for cum laude at USD?

The published USD GPA bands are 3.50–3.69 for cum laude, 3.70–3.89 for magna cum laude, and 3.90 or higher for summa cum laude, subject to the university’s additional honors requirements.

Can I use this calculator for USD graduate or law school GPA?

Not for an official estimate. Graduate programs and the School of Law have separate academic rules and thresholds, so this profile is limited to the standard undergraduate USD GPA.

Official University of San Diego Resources

This calculator is an unofficial planning tool for University of San Diego undergraduates. Always use your official USD academic record and current university policies for standing, repeats, transfer credit, honors, financial aid, and graduation decisions.

University of San Diego GPA Calculator

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