How GPA Is Defined at Washington University in St. Louis
At Washington University in St. Louis, GPA is defined as a credit-weighted average of grade points earned in courses taken for a letter grade. Each letter grade carries an assigned numerical value. Courses taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, audited courses, and other non-letter-graded enrollments do not factor into GPA calculations. Total grade points earned are divided by the total number of GPA-eligible units attempted.
Who This GPA Calculator Is For
| Applies To | Does Not Apply To |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate students earning letter grades | Courses taken Pass/No Pass |
| Graduate students in programs that report GPA | Audited courses |
| Students in Arts & Sciences, Engineering, Business, and similar schools | Non-degree or special programs that do not report GPA |
Before You Use the GPA Calculator
- Enter only courses that received letter grades.
- Exclude Pass/No Pass and Audit courses.
- Use the official WashU grade-point values for each letter grade.
This calculator is intended to match the official GPA recorded on Washington University in St. Louis academic records.
Types of GPA Reported at Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University may report more than one GPA depending on the student’s academic level and school.
- Semester GPA: Calculated using courses completed in a single academic term.
- Cumulative GPA: Calculated using all GPA-eligible coursework completed at the university.
- Program-Specific GPA: Certain professional schools or programs may calculate internal GPAs under separate rules.
Not all students will see all GPA types on their records.
Undergraduate GPA
Undergraduate GPA includes all Washington University courses completed for a letter grade that are designated as GPA-eligible by the student’s school. Courses taken on non-graded bases are excluded. Units earned in each course determine how heavily each grade affects the GPA.
Faculty / School GPA Distinction Table
| Faculty / School | GPA Calculated? | GPA Scale | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts & Sciences | Yes | 4.0 scale | Certain physical education courses do not count toward GPA |
| McKelvey School of Engineering | Yes | 4.0 scale | Repeat-course rules may affect GPA calculation |
| Olin Business School | Yes | 4.0 scale | Includes approved non-business coursework |
| Brown School | Yes | 4.0 scale | School-specific repeat policies apply |
| School of Law | Yes | Program-specific | Law GPA rules differ from undergraduate policies |
Official GPA Scale
Washington University in St. Louis uses a standard 4.0 letter-grade scale for undergraduate and most graduate programs.
| Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0 |
| 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 |
Which Courses Count Toward GPA
| Included in GPA | Not Included in GPA |
|---|---|
| Letter-graded courses | Pass/No Pass courses |
| GPA-eligible repeated courses | Audited courses |
| Approved graded electives | Transcript-only grades with no grade points |
Courses are excluded from GPA when they do not carry grade-point values.
How Course Units Affect GPA at Washington University in St. Louis
Each course contributes to GPA based on its unit value. Grade points earned for a course equal the letter-grade value multiplied by the number of units. Courses with more units have a greater impact on GPA than lower-unit courses.
How GPA Is Calculated
Washington University calculates GPA using the following formula:
GPA = Total Grade Points ÷ Total GPA-Eligible Units
Example:
A student earns an A (4.0) in a 3-unit course and a B+ (3.3) in a 4-unit course.
Total grade points = (3 × 4.0) + (4 × 3.3) = 25.2
Total units = 7
GPA = 25.2 ÷ 7 = 3.60
Course Repeats or Special GPA Rules
When a course is repeated, Washington University generally applies repeat-course policies that determine which grade is included in GPA calculations. The original grade may remain on the transcript even if it does not factor into GPA.
Transcript Grades vs GPA Calculations
Some transcript notations, including withdrawals, incompletes, Pass/No Pass grades, and audit designations, appear on the academic record but do not affect GPA calculations.
Graduate GPA
Graduate GPA policies at Washington University vary by program. Many graduate programs use the same 4.0 letter-grade scale as undergraduates, while others apply program-specific grading rules. Only coursework designated as GPA-eligible by the program is included.
Common GPA Mistakes Students Make
- Including Pass/No Pass or audit courses in GPA calculations
- Ignoring course unit weighting
- Misapplying repeat-course rules
- Assuming all transcript grades affect GPA
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum GPA at Washington University in St. Louis?
The maximum GPA reported under the standard grading scale is 4.0. Grades higher than A do not increase GPA above this level.
Do Pass/No Pass courses affect my GPA?
No. Pass/No Pass courses do not carry grade points and are excluded from GPA calculations.
If I repeat a course, does the first grade still count?
Repeat-course policies determine which grade is included in GPA calculations. Earlier grades may remain on the transcript even if excluded from GPA.
Is GPA calculated the same across all WashU schools?
Most schools use the standard 4.0 grading scale, but some professional programs apply separate grading and GPA rules.
How are incomplete grades treated in GPA calculations?
Incomplete grades do not affect GPA until a final letter grade is assigned and recorded.
Related Official University Links
- Washington University in St. Louis Office of the University Registrar — Grades and GPA
https://registrar.wustl.edu/grades/ - Washington University in St. Louis Bulletin — Undergraduate Academic Policies
https://bulletin.wustl.edu/undergrad/ - Washington University in St. Louis Bulletin — Graduate Academic Policies
https://bulletin.wustl.edu/grad/ - Washington University in St. Louis School of Law — Academic Policies
https://bulletin.wustl.edu/law/
Accuracy Disclaimer
This guide is based solely on publicly available Washington University in St. Louis registrar and academic policy documentation. Official university records and transcripts govern all final GPA calculations.