GradeCalculators.org

USC GPA Calculator

Calculate your USC grade point average using USC's actual grading policies: 4.0 scale, plus/minus grades, Dean's List 3.50+, probation below 2.0.

Calculate Your USC GPA

Course Name Credits Grade Remove
Average GPA
3.50
undergraduate cumulative
Grading Scale
4.0
with plus/minus
Dean's List
3.50+
cumulative GPA
Probation
below 2.0
cumulative GPA floor

What Is a Good GPA at USC?

A GPA of 3.5 or higher is considered strong at USC, where the average undergraduate GPA sits near 3.5. Dean's List threshold is 3.5 term GPA with a full course load. Latin honors require 3.5 / 3.7 / 3.9 cumulative GPA with a minimum number of graded units in residence.

The average undergraduate GPA at USC sits near 3.50, drawn from the USC registrar policy and aggregated reporting. Enter your courses in the calculator above to see where your cumulative GPA lands relative to that figure.

How USC Calculates GPA

University of Southern California (USC) uses a 4.0 grade point scale and uses plus/minus modifiers (A-, B+, B-, and so on). The school caps A+ at the same 4.0 value as an A, which matters when converting letter grades from a transcript that records A and A+ separately. Each course's grade points multiply by its credit hours, those quality points sum across all courses, and the total divides by total credits attempted.

USC GPA Formula

USC GPA Formula

GPA = Sum(Grade Points x Credit Hours) / Sum(Credit Hours)

Where:
  • Grade Points = letter-grade value on the 4.0 scale
  • Credit Hours = credit value of the course on the USC transcript
  • A+ = 4.0 (same as A on the standard scale)
Example: A 4-credit class with an A (4.0 points) and a 3-credit class with a B+ (3.3 points): quality points = 4 × 4.0 + 3 × 3.3 = 25.9, total credits = 7, GPA = 25.9 / 7 = 3.70.

USC Grading Policy Notes

USC uses the standard 4.0 scale with plus and minus modifiers. A+ records but caps at 4.0. Marshall School of Business and Viterbi School of Engineering each set distinct major-entry GPA requirements.

USC Honors and Recognition

Dean's List at USC

USC lists students with a GPA of 3.50 or higher on the Dean's List. Dean's List is based on cumulative GPA across all completed terms.

Latin Honors at USC

  • Summa cum laude: 3.90 cumulative GPA or above
  • Magna cum laude: 3.70 cumulative GPA or above
  • Cum laude: 3.50 cumulative GPA or above

USC Dornsife College Dean's List requires 3.5+ term GPA with 12+ graded units. Latin honors require 64+ USC graded units and apply across all undergraduate schools.

Academic Standing and Repeat Policy at USC

Academic Probation Threshold

USC places students on academic probation when their cumulative GPA drops below 2.0. Probation usually triggers mandatory advising, restricts course registration, and can affect financial aid or scholarships. Use the calculator to model remaining semesters and see how many A or B grades would lift the GPA back above the 2.0 floor.

Repeating a Course at USC

Under USC's repeat policy, the new grade replaces the old grade in the GPA calculation. This calculator treats every entered row as a distinct graded attempt; if your school replaces the old grade, leave off the original, and if both count, enter both lines. Always confirm the final transcript version with the registrar before relying on a projected GPA.

Grade Forgiveness at USC

No. USC does not offer formal grade replacement. Repeated courses count both attempts in the GPA, though the registrar may grant exceptions for courses where students earned a D or F.

Major GPA Requirements at USC

Most majors require 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA. Marshall admission requires 3.0+ in business prerequisites. Viterbi engineering programs require 2.5+ in technical core.

What Makes USC Grading Distinctive

  • Strong arts and entertainment programs alongside research
  • Marshall and Viterbi maintain distinct major-entry standards
  • Trojan family network influences post-graduation outcomes

USC at a Glance

Institution type
private research
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Undergraduate enrollment
49,500
Founded
1880
Athletic conference
Big Ten
Average undergrad GPA
3.50
Registrar source
USC official grading policy

Related GPA Tools

To roll this USC GPA into a cumulative figure across multiple semesters, use the cumulative GPA calculator. For a semester-by-semester view with optional prior-GPA import, use the college GPA calculator. To compute individual course grades before they hit your transcript, switch to the grade calculator.

Accuracy Note

This calculator follows the grading policy published by the USC registrar as of 2026-04-18. Policies are reviewed periodically; the "Last verified" date in the footer reflects the most recent confirmation. Always cross-check your final GPA against your official transcript. The tool models the same formulas registrars use but cannot account for grade forgiveness petitions, audit decisions, or exceptions approved by the dean of students.

Frequently asked questions

How Does USC Calculate GPA?
USC calculates GPA by converting each letter grade to grade points on the 4.0 scale, multiplying by the course's credit hours, summing the quality points, and dividing by total credits attempted. Plus/minus modifiers and course repeats follow USC's published registrar rules, the calculator above mirrors the same arithmetic. For a quick check on where your current term sits, enter each course with its grade and credit load and compare the result to the Dean's List and probation thresholds. Always verify with your specific school's registrar.
How Does USC Calculate GPA for Admission?
For admission, USC evaluates your cumulative GPA alongside course rigor, school context, and the rest of your application. The number you enter above mirrors the 4.0 calculation USC's registrar uses on official transcripts. Admissions reviewers sometimes recalculate submitted GPAs to the unweighted 4.0 standard for apples-to-apples comparison, so the figure here represents a reliable baseline. Always verify with your specific school's registrar.
How Does USC Calculate High School GPA?
USC admissions reviews your reported high school GPA in context with your course rigor, school profile, and official transcript. The calculator above converts letter grades to 4.0 grade points (A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0) and weights each course by credit or Carnegie unit. Honors, AP, and IB courses typically carry a weighted bonus on applicant reports, though USC recalculates on an unweighted basis for internal review. Always verify with your specific school's registrar.
How Does USC Calculate Transfer GPA?
USC's transfer-credit policy typically brings external courses onto your record as credit without transferring the underlying grade into the USC GPA. Your USC GPA is then built from grades earned after matriculation. Use the calculator above to model that in-residence GPA by entering only USC coursework. Transfer grades still appear on the transcript for context, and prerequisite GPAs for majors may include transferred courses. Always verify with your specific school's registrar.
How do I calculate my USC GPA?
Enter each USC course you have taken, select your letter grade, and enter the credit hours from your transcript. The calculator converts each grade into grade points on the standard 4.0 scale, multiplies by credit hours, and divides by total credits. USC uses plus/minus modifiers (A-, B+, B-, and so on) and caps A+ at the same 4.0 value as an A, which this calculator reflects by default.
What GPA do I need for the USC Dean's List?
USC requires a GPA of 3.50 or higher to qualify for the Dean's List. Dean's List at this school is based on cumulative GPA across all completed terms.
What is the GPA cutoff for academic probation at USC?
At USC, students fall into academic probation when their GPA drops below 2.0. Probation status typically restricts course registration, triggers mandatory advising, and may affect financial aid eligibility. Use this calculator to check where your current term and cumulative averages land relative to the 2.0 floor.
What are USC's Latin honors GPA thresholds?
USC awards Latin honors at the following cumulative GPA cutoffs: summa cum laude requires 3.90+, magna cum laude requires 3.70+, and cum laude requires 3.50+. USC Dornsife College Dean's List requires 3.5+ term GPA with 12+ graded units. Latin honors require 64+ USC graded units and apply across all undergraduate schools.
If I retake a course at USC, how does it affect my GPA?
USC's repeat policy is that the new grade replaces the old grade in the GPA calculation. This calculator lets you model either scenario, enter just the most recent grade to see a replace-style GPA, or enter both attempts to see how an average-counting or both-count policy would shape your transcript.

Related Calculators

GPA Calculator

General-purpose GPA calculator with the standard 4.0 scale defaults.

College GPA Calculator

Track semester-by-semester GPA and roll it into a cumulative average.

Cumulative GPA Calculator

Combine several semester GPAs into a single cumulative figure.