California State University (CSU) GPA Calculator
The CSU works out your admission GPA from a–g courses taken after 9th grade, ignores pluses and minuses, and adds up to 8 honors points. Enter one row per semester grade below to estimate your CSU “a–g” GPA.
Your Academic Results
Term / Semester GPA
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Cumulative GPA
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Credits This Term
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Total Graded Credits
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What the CSU Admission GPA Counts
The California State University calculates a single “a–g” GPA for first-year applicants, and it is the most important factor in the admission decision. It is not your school's GPA:
- Which years: all a–g grades earned after 9th grade, meaning 10th, 11th and 12th grade. Ninth-grade grades are not used.
- Which courses: only approved a–g college-preparatory courses. Non-a–g classes such as PE are left out.
- Pluses and minuses are ignored: a B+ and a B- both count as a B (3 points).
- Each semester is a separate grade. A year-long course gives two grades.
- Credit/No Credit grades are not included.
Honors Points: Up to 8, Only 2 From 10th Grade
An approved honors, AP, IB or college course in grades 10–12 adds one extra point for each semester completed with a C or better, with these limits:
- no more than 8 semesters of honors points in total;
- no more than 2 of those 8 from 10th grade;
- no honors point for a D or F.
A college course counts twice: a semester grade of B in a community college biology class counts as two B's. Enter it with 2 in the Semesters column above.
How to Use the Calculator for a CSU GPA
- Enter each a–g semester grade from 10th to 12th grade as its own row, with 1 in the Semesters column (2 for a college course).
- Choose the letter without the plus or minus.
- Tick Honors/AP for approved honors semesters with a C or better, and stop after 8, with no more than 2 from 10th grade.
a–g GPA = (grade points + honors points) ÷ number of a–g semester grades
Example: 30 semester grades (14 A, 12 B, 4 C) carry 56 + 36 + 8 = 100 points. With 6 honors semesters that is 106 ÷ 30 = 3.53.
What Your a–g GPA Means for Eligibility
| a–g GPA | California residents or CA high school graduates | Non-residents |
|---|---|---|
| 2.50 or higher | Eligible for admission | Not yet eligible |
| 2.00–2.49 | May be evaluated on supplemental factors | Not eligible |
| 3.00 or higher | Eligible | May be eligible, with campus supplemental factors |
Eligibility is not the same as admission. Many campuses and majors are impacted and use higher GPAs or extra criteria, and campuses give priority to applicants from their local admission areas. Treat 2.50 as the floor, not the target.
The 15 a–g Courses You Also Need
Besides the GPA, the CSU requires 15 year-long a–g courses, each passed with a C or better to count toward the requirement:
| Area | Subject | Years |
|---|---|---|
| a | History / social science | 2 |
| b | English | 4 |
| c | Mathematics (4 recommended) | 3 |
| d | Laboratory science | 2 |
| e | Language other than English | 2 |
| f | Visual and performing arts | 1 |
| g | College-preparatory elective | 1 |
A D does not complete a requirement, but it still counts in the a–g GPA, which is one reason a single low grade can hurt twice.
Once You Are at a CSU Campus
Each of the 23 CSU campuses runs its own college grading policies, including plus/minus values, repeats and honors. After you enroll, use your campus catalog, or the college GPA calculator with the grade values your campus publishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the CSU count 12th grade in the GPA?
Yes. The CSU a–g GPA uses all a–g grades earned after 9th grade, which includes 10th, 11th and 12th grade.
Does the CSU count pluses and minuses?
No. A B+ and a B- both count as a B (3 points) in the CSU a–g GPA.
How many honors points does the CSU give?
One point per approved honors, AP, IB or college semester with a C or better, up to 8 semesters in total and no more than 2 from 10th grade.
What is the minimum GPA for CSU?
California residents are eligible with a 2.50 a–g GPA, and those between 2.00 and 2.49 may be evaluated on other factors. Non-residents need 3.00 or higher.
Do college classes count more in the CSU GPA?
Yes. Each semester grade from a college course counts twice.
Sources: The California State University, GPA Calculator and Freshman Admission Requirements. Policies change, so check the current catalog. This site is independent and not affiliated with the California State University.