Boston University (BU) GPA Calculator
Easily calculate your semester or cumulative GPA with our tool designed specifically for Boston University students. Enter your courses, credits, and grades below to get an accurate estimate of your academic standing.
| Course (Optional) | Credits | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D F In Progress/Not Graded | ||
| A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D F In Progress/Not Graded | ||
| A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D F In Progress/Not Graded | ||
| A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D F In Progress/Not Graded |
How to Calculate Your Boston University GPA
Your Grade Point Average (GPA) at Boston University is determined by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted for a letter grade. The formula is:
GPA = Total Quality Points / Total Credit Hours
Quality points for a single course are calculated by multiplying the credit hours of the course by the grade point value of the grade you received.
BU Grade Point Values
Boston University uses the following standard scale to convert letter grades into grade points:
- 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: 1.0
- F: 0.0
Grades such as P (Pass), W (Withdrawal), and I (Incomplete) are not included in the GPA calculation.
Example GPA Calculation
Let's imagine a BU student's semester with the following courses:
- CAS MA123 (Calculus I): 4 credits, Grade B+
- KHC ST111 (Studio 1): 4 credits, Grade A-
- CAS WR151 (Writing Seminar): 4 credits, Grade B
- PDP FT101 (Ballroom Dance): 1 credit, Grade A
Here is the step-by-step calculation:
- Calculate Quality Points for each course:
- CAS MA123: 4 credits × 3.3 (B+) = 13.2 quality points
- KHC ST111: 4 credits × 3.7 (A-) = 14.8 quality points
- CAS WR151: 4 credits × 3.0 (B) = 12.0 quality points
- PDP FT101: 1 credit × 4.0 (A) = 4.0 quality points
- Sum the Total Credits and Total Quality Points:
- Total Credits: 4 + 4 + 4 + 1 = 13 credits
- Total Quality Points: 13.2 + 14.8 + 12.0 + 4.0 = 44.0 quality points
- Calculate the Final GPA:
- Semester GPA = 44.0 / 13 = 3.38
Why Your GPA is Important at BU
Your GPA is more than just a number; it's a key indicator of your academic performance that impacts several areas of your university life:
- Dean's List: Achieving a high semester GPA (typically 3.5 or higher with a certain course load) earns you a place on the Dean's List, a notable academic honor.
- Latin Honors at Graduation: Your cumulative GPA determines if you graduate with honors: cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude. Thresholds vary slightly by college but are generally around 3.3, 3.6, and 3.9, respectively.
- Scholarships and Financial Aid: Many academic scholarships require you to maintain a minimum GPA to remain eligible.
- Graduate School & Career Opportunities: A strong GPA is crucial for applications to graduate programs and can be a significant factor for employers during job recruitment.
Disclaimer: This calculator is an estimation tool. Your official GPA is calculated by and maintained on record with the Boston University Registrar.