What is the difference between a semester GPA and a cumulative GPA?

A semester GPA is a measure of your academic performance in a single term. A cumulative GPA is a weighted average of your performance across all semesters you have completed at an institution, providing a long-term view of your academic record.

Do transfer credits count towards my cumulative GPA?

Generally, no. While the credits you earned at another institution may transfer and count toward your degree requirements, the grades associated with those credits are not typically included in the calculation of your new institution's cumulative GPA.

How does my school handle repeated courses?

Policies on repeated courses vary by institution. Some schools may replace the old grade with the new one in your GPA calculation, while others may average the two grades. You should check your school's academic catalog for its specific 'grade forgiveness' policy.

Cumulative GPA Calculator - Free Online Calculator

Your Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) is the single most important academic metric on your college transcript. It represents your overall academic performance across all the semesters you have completed. Unlike a semester GPA, which is a snapshot of one term, the cumulative GPA is a long-term measure of your consistency and achievement. Our Cumulative GPA Calculator is an essential tool that helps you see how your current semester's grades will impact your overall average, allowing you to track your progress toward graduation honors, graduate school requirements, or other academic goals.

How to Use the Cumulative GPA Calculator

Calculating your new cumulative GPA is a simple, two-part process:

Enter Your Previous Totals: In the first section, input your "Previous Cumulative GPA" and the "Previous Credits Earned" from all prior semesters combined. You can find this information on your academic transcript.
Enter Current Semester Courses: In the second section, list all the courses you are taking this semester, along with the grade you expect to receive and the credit hours for each.
Calculate Your New GPA: Click the "Calculate Cumulative GPA" button to see your updated overall GPA based on your current semester's performance.

The Math Behind Your Cumulative GPA

Your cumulative GPA is a comprehensive weighted average that takes all of your coursework into account. The calculation combines your past performance with your current performance.

The calculator first determines the total "quality points" you have already earned from previous semesters.

Previous Quality Points = Previous GPA × Previous Credits

Next, it calculates the quality points you have earned in the current semester by summing up the quality points for each individual course (Grade Points × Credit Hours).

Finally, it adds your new quality points and credits to your previous totals and finds the new weighted average.

New Cumulative GPA = (Previous Quality Points + Current Semester Points) / (Previous Credits + Current Semester Credits)

Why Your Cumulative GPA is So Important

Graduation Requirements: Most degree programs require a minimum cumulative GPA (often 2.0) to be eligible for graduation.
Latin Honors: Graduating with honors such as *cum laude*, *magna cum laude*, or *summa cum laude* is based on achieving a high final cumulative GPA (e.g., 3.5, 3.7, and 3.9, respectively, though the exact thresholds vary by institution).
Graduate School Applications: Your cumulative GPA is a primary factor that admissions committees for master's, doctoral, law, or medical school programs consider when evaluating your academic record.
Scholarships and Financial Aid: Many renewable academic scholarships require you to maintain a certain cumulative GPA each year to remain eligible.

Strategic Use of the Calculator

This tool is not just for calculating a past result; it's for planning your future. By entering your current standing, you can run "what-if" scenarios for your final semesters. If you want to raise your GPA to a specific number (e.g., from a 3.4 to a 3.5 to qualify for honors), you can experiment with different grade combinations in your upcoming classes to see what it would take to reach your goal. This can help you focus your efforts and make strategic decisions about your coursework. For a more direct way to solve this, try our GPA Improvement Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I retook a class?

This depends on your school's specific "grade forgiveness" or "course repeat" policy. Some schools will replace your old, lower grade with the new, higher grade in the GPA calculation. Others might average the two grades together. You must consult your school's academic catalog or registrar to know how repeated courses are handled and adjust your "Previous Totals" accordingly.

Do transfer credits affect my GPA?

Generally, no. When you transfer credits from another institution (like a community college), the credits themselves usually transfer, but the grades associated with them do not. Your cumulative GPA at your new institution is typically calculated based only on the coursework you complete at that institution. However, policies can vary, so it is always best to check with your academic advisor.

Does a Pass/Fail class affect my cumulative GPA?

A "Pass" grade grants you the credits for the course, but it does not have a grade point value and is not factored into your GPA. A "Fail" grade, however, is treated as an 'F' (0.0 points) and will be included in the calculation, negatively impacting your GPA.

Cumulative GPA Calculator