Calculate University of Wisconsin GPA
Use this University of Wisconsin GPA Calculator to enter your current cumulative GPA and earned credits, along with the grades and credits for your current or future term. The tool computes your new cumulative GPA, shows how your term GPA affects it, and helps you project what grades you need to hit a target GPA.
At UW–Madison, the grading scale uses A = 4.0, AB = 3.5, B = 3.0, BC = 2.5, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0 and excludes S/U, W, CR/N, etc. from GPA calculations. Enter your data below and press "Calculate GPA."
Current Cumulative GPA (Optional)
Current / Upcoming Term
Set Your GPA Goal
How the University of Wisconsin GPA Scale Works
The University of Wisconsin–Madison, along with other UW System schools, uses a 4.0 grading scale. A unique feature of the Madison campus is the inclusion of intermediate grades like "AB" and "BC," which provide a more nuanced measure of performance. Understanding this scale is the first step to accurately calculating your GPA.
| Letter Grade | Grade Points | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | Excellent |
| AB | 3.5 | Intermediate Grade |
| B | 3.0 | Good |
| BC | 2.5 | Intermediate Grade |
| C | 2.0 | Fair |
| D | 1.0 | Poor |
| F | 0.0 | Failure |
Important: Only courses taken on a graded basis (A-F) are included in your GPA calculation. Courses with grades of S (Satisfactory), U (Unsatisfactory), CR (Credit), N (No Credit), W (Withdrawal), or DR (Dropped) do not affect your GPA.
How to Use the University of Wisconsin GPA Calculator
Step-by-Step Guide
- Enter Current GPA (Optional): If you are a continuing student, enter your "Current Cumulative GPA Credits" and your "Current Cumulative GPA" from your transcript. If you are a new student, you can leave these blank.
- Add Term Courses: In the "Current / Upcoming Term" section, add each class you are taking. Enter the number of "Credits" and select your actual or expected "Grade" from the dropdown.
- Calculate: Click the "Calculate" button. The tool will instantly show you your "Semester GPA" for the courses you entered and your "New Cumulative GPA."
Example Calculation
Let's say a student has 60 credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.20. This semester, they are taking two courses:
- A 3-credit course with an expected grade of B (3.0 points)
- A 4-credit course with an expected grade of A (4.0 points)
- Old Quality Points: 60 credits × 3.20 GPA = 192
- New Quality Points: (3 credits × 3.0) + (4 credits × 4.0) = 9 + 16 = 25
- Total Quality Points: 192 + 25 = 217
- Total Credits: 60 + 7 = 67
- New Cumulative GPA = 217 / 67 = 3.239
Raise Your Cumulative GPA at University of Wisconsin
The "Raise GPA" mode is a powerful planning tool. It helps you understand what it will take to reach a specific academic goal, such as getting off probation or graduating with honors.
What Grades You'll Need
To use this feature, switch to the "Raise GPA" tab. Enter your current GPA and credits, your target GPA, and the number of credits you have left to take. The calculator will tell you the average GPA you must achieve in your remaining courses to meet your goal.
For example, if you have 90 credits with a 2.8 GPA and need to reach a 3.0 GPA by graduation (120 credits), you have 30 credits remaining. The calculator will determine the average GPA needed over those 30 credits to pull your cumulative GPA up to 3.0.
Admission & GPA Requirements at University of Wisconsin-Madison
What GPA Do You Need to Get Into UW-Madison?
Admission to UW-Madison is highly competitive. While the university conducts a holistic review and does not have a strict minimum GPA cutoff, successful applicants typically have a very strong academic record. Most admitted freshmen are in the top 10-20% of their high school class, with unweighted GPAs in the 3.8-4.0 range. Your academic rigor, essays, and extracurriculars are also critical components of your application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What grades count toward my GPA at UW?
Only courses taken for a letter grade (A, AB, B, BC, C, D, F) are included in your GPA calculation.
How do I interpret AB or BC grades?
These are intermediate grades. An AB is worth 3.5 grade points (halfway between an A and a B), and a BC is worth 2.5 grade points (halfway between a B and a C).
Does a grade of S or CR affect my GPA?
No. Grades of S (Satisfactory), U (Unsatisfactory), CR (Credit), and N (No Credit) are not used in the GPA computation.
Can repeating a course improve my GPA?
At UW-Madison, both the original grade and the repeated grade are typically included in the GPA calculation, although credit is only granted once. This means repeating a course may not raise your GPA as much as you expect. Always consult an academic advisor.