Calculate Your USC GPA
Calculate your GPA at the University of Southern California using the official 4.0 grading scale. Enter your course grades and units to see your semester or cumulative GPA instantly.
Enter Course Details for This Semester:
| Course (Optional) | Units | Grade |
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The Ultimate Guide to the USC GPA Calculator
For any student at the University of Southern California, the Grade Point Average (GPA) is the ultimate measure of academic performance. It's the number that appears on your transcript, determines your eligibility for honors, and plays a significant role in applications for graduate school and employment. Whether you're a freshman trying to understand the system or a senior tracking your progress toward graduation, our **USC GPA Calculator** is the perfect tool. This guide will explain **how to calculate GPA at USC**, break down the official formulas, and provide strategic tips to help you succeed.
How USC GPA is Calculated: The Official Formula
The University of Southern California uses a standard 4.0 scale to calculate GPA. The calculation is a weighted average, where courses with more "units" (credits) have a greater impact on your final GPA. The official formula used by the university is:
GPA = Total Grade Points ÷ Total Attempted Units
To use this formula, you first need to convert your letter grades into "grade points." This is the core of any **USC grade calculator**. USC does not count courses taken for Pass/No Pass (P/NP) or those with marks of W (Withdrawal) or I (Incomplete) in the GPA calculation.
Official USC Grade Point Scale
The conversion from letter grades to grade points is standardized across the university. Our **grade calculator for USC** uses these exact values for precise calculations.
| Letter Grade | Grade Points | Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | C | 2.0 |
| A- | 3.7 | C- | 1.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 | D+ | 1.3 |
| B | 3.0 | D | 1.0 |
| B- | 2.7 | D- | 0.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 | F | 0.0 |
How to Use the USC GPA Calculator: Step-by-Step Instructions
Our **USC GPA calculator tool** is designed to be intuitive and powerful, offering modes for both semester and cumulative GPA calculations.
1. Calculate Your Semester GPA
- Select "Calculate Term GPA" mode. This is the default setting.
- Add Your Courses: Click the "+ Add Course" button for each class you are taking this semester.
- Enter Units and Grade: For each course, enter the number of units and select the letter grade you received or anticipate receiving.
- Calculate: Click the "Calculate GPA" button to see your GPA for the current semester.
2. Calculate Your Cumulative GPA
This mode is perfect for seeing how your current semester's performance will affect your overall academic standing. This is the core function of a **USC cumulative GPA calculator**.
- Select "Calculate Cumulative GPA" mode.
- Enter Your Current Stats: Input your current cumulative GPA and the total number of attempted units you have completed so far (you can find this on your unofficial transcript).
- Add Your New Courses: Just like in term mode, add your current semester's courses, units, and grades.
- Calculate: The tool will combine your past performance with your current semester's results to give you your new, updated cumulative GPA.
Example Calculation Walkthrough:
Let's say a student has a current cumulative GPA of 3.25 from 60 units. This semester, they are taking 16 units:
- CSCI 104 (4 units): Grade A- (3.7)
- PHYS 151 (4 units): Grade B (3.0)
- ITP 303 (4 units): Grade B+ (3.3)
- GESM 120 (4 units): Grade A (4.0)
The calculator first finds the GPA for the current semester, then updates the cumulative GPA. This comprehensive approach makes it a true **USC weighted GPA calculator**.
Strategic GPA Planning for USC Students
- Prioritize High-Unit Courses: A 4-unit course has double the impact on your GPA as a 2-unit course. Earning an 'A' in a high-unit class can significantly boost your average.
- Understand Major Requirements: Many departments, like the Viterbi School of Engineering, have minimum GPA requirements to declare or remain in a major. Use this tool to ensure you are on track.
- Plan for Grade Forgiveness: If you've received a D+ or below in a course, you may be eligible to retake it. Use our separate **USC Grade Forgiveness Calculator** to simulate how a better grade could improve your GPA.
- Track Your Progress Each Semester: Don't wait until your final year to check your GPA. Regular tracking with a **USC semester GPA calculator** allows you to make adjustments and seek academic support if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can this calculator handle multiple semesters at once?
Yes. To calculate your cumulative GPA over several semesters, you can either use the "Cumulative GPA" mode if you know your current GPA, or you can stay in "Term GPA" mode and simply add all courses from all semesters into the list. The formula works the same either way.
Q2: Are Pass/No Pass (P/NP) courses included in the GPA?
No, according to official USC policy, P/NP courses do not affect your GPA. Our calculator automatically excludes them from the calculation to ensure accuracy.
Q3: How are letter grades like A+ or B- converted?
The tool uses USC’s official 4.0 scale for every conversion, where an A and A+ are both 4.0, an A- is 3.7, a B+ is 3.3, and so on. This ensures your calculated GPA matches what will appear on your transcript.
Q4: Is this an official USC tool?
This calculator is an independent tool designed to follow USC’s official grading guidelines with high accuracy. However, for official records, you should always refer to your academic transcript provided by the USC Registrar. For official policies, visit the USC Grades page.