Purdue University GPA Calculator
At Purdue an A+ and an A both count 4.0, and minus grades use one decimal (A- = 3.7). Enter your courses below for your semester and cumulative GPA, then see how grade replacement, the Dean's List and probation work at Purdue.
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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Purdue's Grade Weights: A+ Counts the Same as A
Purdue uses plus/minus grades, but with two details that trip up students who use a generic calculator. An A+ is worth 4.0, the same as an A, so a Purdue GPA cannot exceed 4.0. The minus and plus grades use one decimal: an A- is 3.7, not 3.67.
| Grade | Index points per credit hour |
|---|---|
| A+, A | 4.0 |
| A- | 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 (D- is the lowest passing grade) |
| E, F, IF | 0.0 |
An E is a Purdue-specific "conditional failure": you missed the course objectives only narrowly, and you may be able to raise it to a D by completing extra requirements during your next semester of enrollment. If you do not, the E stays as a failing grade.
Calculating a Purdue GPA
Purdue calls grade points "index points". Multiply each grade's weight by the course's credit hours, add them up, and divide by the graded credit hours.
GPA = total index points ÷ graded credit hours
Example semester of 16 credits:
- Calculus II, 4 credits, A-: 4 × 3.7 = 14.8
- Physics, 4 credits, B+: 4 × 3.3 = 13.2
- Engineering design, 2 credits, A+: 2 × 4.0 = 8.0
- Chemistry, 3 credits, B: 3 × 3.0 = 9.0
- English composition, 3 credits, A: 3 × 4.0 = 12.0
Total: 57.0 ÷ 16 = 3.56. Using the 3.67/3.33 values some calculators assume would give a slightly different number, which is why the calculator above uses Purdue's one-decimal weights.
Grades Left Out of Your GPA
These appear on your record but are not averaged: P, N, I, PI, SI, W, WF, WN, WU, IN, IU, AU and NS. An IF (an incomplete not finished within a year) is the exception, because it counts as a failing grade.
- Pass/Not-Pass: a P means you would have earned a C- or better. Neither P nor N affects your GPA. The option cannot exceed 20 percent of the credit hours required for your degree, and your school decides whether P courses can meet its requirements.
- Incompletes: you have up to one year to finish the work, or the I becomes an IF (failing, counted in GPA). You cannot re-enroll in a course while you hold an I in it.
Retaking a Course: Only the Latest Grade Counts
Purdue offers true grade replacement. With your adviser's guidance you can enroll in a non-repeatable course up to three times, and only the most recent grade is included in your cumulative GPA. The earlier attempts remain on the transcript.
- A W counts as an attempt, so withdrawing uses one of your three.
- You must retake the same course (or an equivalent authorized by the faculty) at a Purdue campus. Transfer credit cannot remove a Purdue grade from your GPA.
- The most recent grade counts even if it is lower than the earlier one.
This makes retaking a low grade in a heavily weighted course one of the fastest ways to raise a Purdue GPA. To model it in the calculator, enter only the new grade for that course.
Dean's List and Semester Honors
Purdue recognizes two different achievements each semester, and the difference is which GPA has to be high:
- Dean's List: at least 12 hours in your cumulative GPA and 6 in the semester GPA, a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, and a semester GPA of at least 3.0.
- Semester Honors: at least 6 hours in the semester GPA, a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher, and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
A student with a strong record can make the Dean's List in an average semester, while a student recovering from a rough start can earn Semester Honors with one excellent term.
Academic Probation and Being Dropped
- Probation: your fall or spring semester GPA, or your cumulative GPA, is below 2.0.
- Coming off probation: at the end of the next fall or spring semester in which both your semester and cumulative GPAs are 2.0 or higher.
- Academic drop: while on probation, a fall or spring semester in which both your semester and cumulative GPAs are below 2.0.
- After a drop: the first drop means sitting out at least one fall or spring semester; a second means at least a year. Readmission is not guaranteed and returns you on probation.
Standing is not assessed after summer sessions.
Program GPA and Changing Majors (CODO)
Besides the semester and cumulative GPAs, Purdue calculates a program GPA from a degree audit of the courses that apply to a particular major. It is used when you apply to change your degree objective (CODO), so the grades that matter most for a CODO are those in the courses the new program counts, not your overall average.
Academic Renewal
Students readmitted after at least five years away can petition for academic renewal once they are in good standing and have completed 12 credit hours after returning. Earlier Purdue grades stay on the transcript but no longer count in the GPA or credit total. It can be granted only once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an A+ worth more than an A at Purdue?
No. Both an A+ and an A carry 4.0 index points per credit hour, so a Purdue GPA tops out at 4.0.
Does retaking a class replace the grade at Purdue?
Yes. Only the most recent grade counts in the cumulative GPA, for up to three attempts of a non-repeatable course. A W counts as an attempt.
What GPA do you need for the Dean's List at Purdue?
A cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and a semester GPA of at least 3.0, with at least 12 hours in the cumulative GPA and 6 in the semester.
What is an E grade at Purdue?
A conditional failure worth 0.0. It can be raised to no higher than a D if you complete the required work during your next semester of enrollment.
When are you put on academic probation at Purdue?
When your fall or spring semester GPA or your cumulative GPA falls below 2.0. You come off probation after a fall or spring semester in which both are at least 2.0.
Sources: Purdue University Catalog, Grades and Grade Reports and Academic Probation and Deficiency; Purdue College of Science, Dean's List and Semester Honors; Purdue Academic Advising FAQs. Policies change, so check the current catalog. This site is independent and not affiliated with Purdue University.