Cornell University GPA Calculator
Cornell averages grades on a 4.3 scale, so an A+ lifts your GPA above 4.0. Enter your courses and credits below for your semester and cumulative GPA, then see how S/U grading and Cornell's new Latin honors work.
Your Academic Results
Term / Semester GPA
0.00
Cumulative GPA
0.00
Credits This Term
0
Total Graded Credits
0
Cornell's 4.3 Scale
Cornell averages grades on a 4.3 scale. An A+ is worth 4.3 quality points, and it counts in the cumulative GPA, so a Cornell GPA can go above 4.0. The minus and plus steps are three tenths:
| Grade | Quality points |
|---|---|
| A+ / A / A- | 4.3 / 4.0 / 3.7 |
| B+ / B / B- | 3.3 / 3.0 / 2.7 |
| C+ / C / C- | 2.3 / 2.0 / 1.7 |
| D+ / D / D- | 1.3 / 1.0 / 0.7 |
| F | 0.0 |
INC (incomplete), NG and NGR (no grade reported) and R (a multi-semester course in progress) have no quality points and are left out.
How the Cumulative GPA Is Built
Each course's credits are multiplied by its quality points, and the total is divided by the credits taken. Cornell's cumulative average covers all grades at Cornell University.
Example: 4 credits of A+ (17.2), 4 of A- (14.8), 3 of B+ (9.9) and 4 of A (16.0) give 57.9 ÷ 15 = 3.86. Using a 4.0 cap for the A+ would give 3.78, which is why a generic calculator underestimates Cornell GPAs.
S/U Grading
The S/U option lets you try courses outside your field with less risk to your record. An S means work at C- or higher, and a U means below C-. S earns credit toward graduation and U does not, but neither has grade points or affects your GPA. Note that the S/U line is not the same as pass/fail under letter grades: a D would pass with a letter grade but becomes a U under S/U.
Each college sets its own limits on S/U, and you must elect it before the course's drop deadline. Check your college's rules before relying on S/U credit for a requirement.
Latin Honors From December 2026: Top 30 Percent by College
Cornell is replacing its college-by-college honors rules with one university-wide system based only on final cumulative GPA, starting with the December 2026 degree conferral:
| Honor | Share of graduates |
|---|---|
| Summa cum laude | Top 5% |
| Magna cum laude | Next 10% |
| Cum laude | Next 15% |
Your percentile is measured within your own degree program, for example a B.A. in Arts & Sciences or a B.S. in CALS, rather than across the whole university. Older college-specific Latin honors systems end after Summer 2026. Degree or major honors will be called "Honors in X" (for example Honors in Research) and cannot be based on GPA alone.
The Dean's List Is Being Phased Out
Cornell stopped awarding the Dean's List to students who matriculated from Summer 2023 onward, and the Cornell Daily Sun reported that it ends for all students after the Spring 2026 semester. If you are researching Dean's List GPA cutoffs for Cornell, they no longer apply. The Latin honors percentile above is now the main GPA-based recognition.
Repeats, Incompletes and College Rules
Cornell's undergraduate colleges set many of their own academic rules, including how repeated courses are recorded and which courses may be taken S/U. An Incomplete can only be granted when you have substantial passing work and circumstances beyond your control prevent completion. It is not an option you can choose. For your college's current rules on repeats and incompletes, check its registrar or student services office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an A+ worth 4.3 at Cornell?
Yes. Cornell uses a 4.3 scale, and an A+ counts as 4.3 in your GPA.
Does S/U affect my Cornell GPA?
No. S (C- or better) and U (below C-) have no grade points. Only S earns credit.
Does Cornell still have a Dean's List?
It is being phased out. Students who matriculated from Summer 2023 onward are not eligible, and it was reported to end for all students after Spring 2026.
How does Cornell award Latin honors now?
From December 2026, by final cumulative GPA percentile within your degree program: top 5% summa, next 10% magna, next 15% cum laude.
Can a Cornell GPA be above 4.0?
Yes. Because an A+ is worth 4.3, a record with enough A+ grades can average above 4.0.
Sources: Cornell University Courses of Study, Exams and Grading and Graduation Requirements and Academic Honors; The Cornell Daily Sun, Dean's List phase-out. Policies change, so check the current catalog. This site is independent and not affiliated with Cornell University.