GPA at UW–Madison: How It Works
Whether you’re aiming for Dean’s List or just trying to make sense of your transcript, understanding the GPA system at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is key. UW–Madison uses a 4.0 grading scale, and like many large research universities, grading practices may differ slightly across departments.
Your GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of graded credits attempted. Pretty standard stuff, but UW–Madison does have some nuances, so let’s walk through it all.
UW–Madison Grade Scale
Here’s how letter grades convert to GPA values at Wisconsin:
| Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|
| A | 4.0 |
| AB | 3.5 |
| B | 3.0 |
| BC | 2.5 |
| C | 2.0 |
| D | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
| S (Satisfactory) | Not counted in GPA |
| U (Unsatisfactory) | Not counted in GPA |
| I (Incomplete) | Not counted unless changed |
| P (Pass) | Not counted in GPA |
| CR (Credit) | Not counted in GPA |
| N (No Credit) | Not counted in GPA |
| DR (Dropped) | Not counted in GPA |
| W (Withdrawal) | Not counted in GPA |
Note: The unique AB and BC grades are UW–Madison’s way of giving more nuance to performance between standard letter grades. AB falls between an A and B, and BC falls between a B and C.
How GPA is Calculated
Let’s say you took 4 courses and earned these grades:
- A (4 credits) → 4.0 × 4 = 16.0
- BC (3 credits) → 2.5 × 3 = 7.5
- B (3 credits) → 3.0 × 3 = 9.0
- AB (4 credits) → 3.5 × 4 = 14.0
Now add up all the grade points and divide by total credits:
- Total Grade Points: 16.0 + 7.5 + 9.0 + 14.0 = 46.5
- Total Credits Attempted: 4 + 3 + 3 + 4 = 14
GPA = 46.5 ÷ 14 = 3.32
School or Program-Specific Notes
Some colleges within UW–Madison may have slightly different GPA standards or honors policies, such as:
School of Engineering
- Generally expects a minimum 2.5 GPA to remain in good academic standing.
- GPA thresholds are strict when applying for certain majors.
College of Letters & Science
- May allow some flexibility with S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) options.
- Honors programs often require a 3.3–3.5 GPA or higher.
School of Business
- Often uses GPA cutoffs for pre-business admission and internships.
- Competitive programs may require higher GPAs than the minimum.
Check with your specific school or department for detailed GPA requirements or honors eligibility.
Final Tips
- Retaking a course? Both the original and repeat grades are included in GPA.
- Incomplete grades (I) must be resolved; they can eventually become an “F” if ignored.
- Pass/fail options don’t help (or hurt) your GPA, but too many may raise eyebrows for grad schools.