GPA Calculation

The Grade Point Average (GPA) is a weighted average of the numerical equivalents of number grades. Translated, this means the following:

Each number grade is assigned a numerical equivalent, or “points.” GPAs are usually calculated on the four-point scale, meaning A=4 points, B=3 points, etc. The points scale at Rice University is as follows:

Grade Grade Points
A+ 4.00
A 4.00
A- 3.67
B+ 3.33
B 3.00
B- 2.67
C+ 2.33
C 2.00
C- 1.67
D+ 1.33
D 1.00
D- 0.67
F 0.00

Important Note: Prior to Fall 2018, an A+ was worth 4.33 points. Beginning with the Fall 2018 semester, an A+ is worth 4 points. FAQs about this change is available here.

To calculate your GPA, you find the average of your “points.” However, the process is complicated if you take courses earning different amounts of credit. Plainly, an A in a 4-hour course should be worth more than an A in a 1-hour course. Thus, we weigh the average instead of simply adding up the “points” for each course by the credit values. After this product (which we’ll call “quality points”) is calculated for each course, add up these products (the total quality points) and divide this sum by the total number of credits taken.

For example:

Grades Credit Hours Points Quality Points
B 3 3 3 x 3 = 9
A- 4 3.67 4 x 3.67 = 14.68
C 2 2 2 x 2 = 4
C 3 2 3 x 2 = 6
Totals 12 Credit Hours 33.68 Quality Points
GPA Calculation 33.68 / 12 = 2.806

Credit earned with a pass grade (P) does not affect GPA. Fs count toward your GPA even though no credit is earned. Even if you earn no quality points by failing a class, you must still include the attempted credit as part of your total credits attempted. In addition, while P does not affect your GPA, an F earned from a Pass/Fall class (P/F) is treated like an F earned normally, and will count toward your GPA.

Please Note: GPA is calculated at the student level: Undergraduate, Undergraduate Professional, Graduate, Visiting Undergraduate, or Visiting Graduate.

Grade Conversion Chart

Pre-1983 Grade Converted Grade Description
1 A Very High Standing
2 B High Standing
3 C Medium Standing
4 D Low Standing
5 F Failure
P P Pass
WD W Withdrawn
Sat S Satisfactory
F F Failure in a course taken on a Pass/Fail basis