How GPA Is Defined at the University of San Diego
At the University of San Diego (USD), grade point average (GPA) is calculated using a 4.00 scale. Each letter grade is assigned a specific number of grade points. GPA is determined by multiplying the grade points earned in each course by the number of course units, adding those totals together, and dividing by the total number of units attempted that carry grade points.
USD applies this calculation method to both undergraduate and graduate coursework unless a specific academic unit publishes different grading rules.
Official letter grades with grade points include:
A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, and F.
Grades such as Pass, Incomplete, and Withdrawn appear on transcripts but generally do not carry grade points and are not included in GPA calculations.
Who This GPA Calculator Is For
| Applies To | Does Not Apply To |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree coursework at USD | Pass/Fail coursework without grade points |
| Graduate degree coursework at USD | Audited or non-credit courses |
| Standard USD GPA calculations | School of Law GPA calculations |
Before You Use the GPA Calculator
Before entering courses into the GPA calculator:
- Use only courses listed on your official USD transcript
- Enter the official letter grade recorded by USD
- Enter the correct number of course units
- Exclude grades that USD policy states are not included in GPA calculations
This calculator is intended to match the official cumulative GPA reported by USD for standard undergraduate and graduate programs.
Types of GPA Reported at University of San Diego
USD reports GPA based on coursework completed under standard undergraduate and graduate academic regulations. Not all students will see the same GPA types, as reporting depends on program structure and academic level.
This calculator matches the cumulative GPA calculated using USD’s published grade point scale.
Undergraduate GPA
Undergraduate GPA at USD is calculated on a 4.00 scale using all letter-graded courses that carry grade points. Each course contributes to GPA in proportion to its unit value. Courses graded without grade points are excluded according to university policy.
Official GPA Scale
| Letter 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 |
USD does not assign grade points to Pass, Incomplete, or Withdrawn grades.
Which Courses Count Toward GPA
| Included in GPA | Not Included in GPA |
|---|---|
| Letter-graded courses with assigned grade points | Pass/Fail courses without grade points |
| Required major and core courses | Withdrawn courses |
| Approved repeated courses (subject to policy) | Incomplete grades until resolved |
Miscounts most often occur when students include courses that appear on transcripts but do not carry grade points.
How Course Units Affect GPA at University of San Diego
Each course’s impact on GPA is weighted by its number of units. Courses with more units contribute proportionally more to the GPA calculation than courses with fewer units.
How GPA Is Calculated
USD calculates GPA using the following formula:
Total Grade Points ÷ Total GPA Units = GPA
Example:
A student completes:
- A 4-unit course with a B grade (3.00) = 12.00 grade points
- A 3-unit course with an A- grade (3.67) = 11.01 grade points
- A 3-unit course with a B+ grade (3.33) = 9.99 grade points
Total grade points = 33.00
Total units = 10
GPA = 3.30
Course Repeats or Special GPA Rules
USD permits course repetition under specific conditions. When repetition is allowed, both attempts remain on the transcript. GPA treatment depends on university and program policy, and only the grade designated by policy is used in GPA calculations.
Transcript Grades vs GPA Calculations
Some transcript grades do not affect GPA. Grades such as Incomplete, Pass, or Withdrawn are recorded on transcripts but are excluded from GPA calculations unless converted to a letter grade that carries grade points.
Graduate GPA
Graduate programs at USD calculate GPA using the same 4.00 scale and unit-weighted method as undergraduate programs. Individual graduate programs may impose minimum GPA requirements for academic standing or progression.
Common GPA Mistakes Students Make
- Including Pass/Fail courses that do not carry grade points
- Using unofficial grade scales that differ from USD’s published scale
- Including transcript grades that are excluded from GPA by policy
Frequently Asked Questions
What GPA scale does the University of San Diego use?
USD uses a 4.00 grade point scale where letter grades from A through F are assigned specific point values. Only grades with assigned points are used in GPA calculations.
Do Pass/Fail courses count toward GPA at USD?
No. Pass/Fail courses that do not carry grade points appear on transcripts but are not included in GPA calculations.
Are Incomplete grades included in GPA calculations?
Incomplete grades are excluded from GPA calculations until they are resolved and converted into a letter grade with assigned grade points.
Does USD calculate undergraduate and graduate GPA differently?
No. Both undergraduate and graduate GPA calculations use the same grade point scale and unit-weighted formula, though program rules may vary.
Is the School of Law GPA calculated the same way?
No. The USD School of Law follows its own grading and GPA policies, which are separate from standard undergraduate and graduate GPA calculations.
Related Official University Links
- University of San Diego Undergraduate Academic Catalog
https://undergraduate.catalog.sandiego.edu/ - University of San Diego Graduate Academic Regulations
https://graduate.catalog.sandiego.edu/academics/academicregulations - University of San Diego Registrar Knowledge Base — Grades and GPA
https://usdkb.sandiego.edu/s/article/Understanding-Grades-GPA-Calculation-and-Grade-Appeals - University of San Diego School of Law — Grading and Ranks
https://www.sandiego.edu/law/registrar/grading-and-ranks/
Accuracy Disclaimer
This page is based on publicly available University of San Diego registrar and academic catalog documentation. Official university records and transcripts govern all final GPA calculations.