Tufts University GPA Calculator
Current Semester Courses
Prior Cumulative GPA (Optional)
Understanding the Tufts University GPA Scale
Tufts University calculates the Grade Point Average (GPA) using a 4.0 scale. While many universities use similar systems, Tufts has specific numerical equivalents for letter grades that impact your standing in the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering, and the SMFA.
The Tufts Grading System
At Tufts, letter grades are converted into grade points as follows:
- A+ / 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
What are Tufts "Credits"?
Historically, Tufts used a "Course Unit" system where most semester-long courses were worth 1.0 units. Recently, many departments have transitioned to "Semester Hour Units" (SHUs), where a standard course is typically 3 or 4 SHUs. This calculator works with both systems—simply ensure you are consistent. If you are using the unit system, most classes are 1.0; if using SHUs, most classes are 3.0 or 4.0.
How to Calculate Your Tufts GPA Manually
To calculate your GPA, follow these steps:
- Multiply the grade value of each course by the number of credits/units for that course to get "Quality Points."
- Sum all the Quality Points from the semester.
- Sum the total number of credits/units attempted (excluding Pass/Fail courses).
- Divide the total Quality Points by the total Credits.
Example Calculation
Imagine a Tufts Engineering student taking four classes:
- Math (4 SHUs): A (4.0) = 16.0 Quality Points
- Physics (4 SHUs): B+ (3.33) = 13.32 Quality Points
- English (3 SHUs): A- (3.67) = 11.01 Quality Points
- ES 2 (3 SHUs): B (3.0) = 9.0 Quality Points
Total Quality Points: 16.0 + 13.32 + 11.01 + 9.0 = 49.33
Total Credits: 4 + 4 + 3 + 3 = 14
Semester GPA: 49.33 / 14 = 3.52
Special Grading Situations
Pass/Fail (EP/HP/P): Courses taken as Pass/Fail or during the Exceptional Pass/Fail periods do not factor into your GPA calculation, though they do count toward total credits for graduation.
Incompletes: An "I" grade has no immediate effect on your GPA but must be resolved according to university deadlines to avoid becoming a permanent part of your transcript or defaulting to an F.