How the UTK GPA Calculator Works

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville uses a standard 4.0 grading scale with plus/minus distinctions. Your GPA is calculated by dividing total quality points by total credit hours attempted. UTK includes plus/minus grades in GPA calculations, which affects your overall average significantly.

Here is UTK’s official grading scale with quality points:

The formula UTK uses is straightforward:

Example: You take 4 courses at UTK. ENGL 101 (3 credits, A = 12.0 quality points), MATH 125 (4 credits, B+ = 13.2 quality points), CHEM 120 (4 credits, A- = 14.8 quality points), HIST 241 (3 credits, B = 9.0 quality points).

Total quality points: 12.0 + 13.2 + 14.8 + 9.0 = 49.0. Total credits: 3 + 4 + 4 + 3 = 14. GPA = 49.0 ÷ 14 = 3.50.

Understanding Your UTK GPA

Term GPA vs. Cumulative GPA

Your term GPA includes only courses from one semester. Your cumulative GPA includes all UTK courses you have ever taken. Both appear on your transcript and in your UTK student portal.

UTK uses cumulative GPA for academic standing, graduation requirements, and honors. You need a 2.0 cumulative GPA to graduate from most colleges within UTK. Some majors have higher requirements, like Engineering which often requires a 2.5+.

What Counts as a Good GPA at UTK?

For graduation: 2.0 minimum in most colleges. Below this, you cannot graduate regardless of completed credits.

For good standing: 2.5 to 3.2 keeps you in good academic standing and eligible for campus activities. Many clubs and organizations require a minimum 2.5 GPA.

For scholarships and programs: 3.3 to 3.6 qualifies for most merit scholarships and honors programs. The Chancellor’s Honors Program typically requires 3.5+.

For graduate school and competitive opportunities: 3.7 to 4.0 makes you competitive for prestigious internships, research positions, and top graduate programs. Summa cum laude at UTK requires 3.9+.

UTK-Specific GPA Policies

Dean’s List and Honors

UTK’s Dean’s List recognition requires a 3.5+ GPA for the term with at least 12 graded credit hours. Some colleges also consider the top percentage of each class for additional honors.

Latin Honors at graduation (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude) are based on your final cumulative GPA and typically require:

• Cum Laude: 3.5 to 3.69 GPA
• Magna Cum Laude: 3.7 to 3.89 GPA
• Summa Cum Laude: 3.9 to 4.0 GPA

Academic Probation and Suspension

If your cumulative GPA falls below 2.0, you are placed on academic probation. You have one semester to raise it above 2.0. Failure to do so can result in academic suspension.

Some colleges within UTK have stricter standards. For example, the College of Engineering may place students on probation if their term GPA falls below 2.5, even if their cumulative GPA is above 2.0.

Grade Forgiveness and Course Repeats

UTK allows course repeats for grade improvement under specific conditions. When you repeat a course, the new grade replaces the old one in your GPA calculation, but both grades remain on your transcript.

Important limitations: You can only repeat courses in which you received a grade of C- or lower. There is typically a limit on the number of courses that can be repeated for grade replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find my official UTK GPA?

Log into MyUTK, then navigate to “Academic Records” and select “Grades” or “Unofficial Transcript.” Your official term and cumulative GPAs are displayed there. Your transcript also shows your GPA, but MyUTK updates more quickly after grades are posted.

Do AP/IB credits affect my UTK GPA?

No. Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) credits appear on your transcript as transfer credit with credits but no grade points. They do not affect your UTK GPA calculation, even though they count toward graduation requirements.

How do transfer courses affect my UTK GPA?

Transfer courses from other institutions (including community colleges and other universities) do not affect your UTK GPA. The credits may count toward graduation requirements, but the grades are not included in GPA calculations.

What if I take a course pass/fail?

S/U courses do not affect your GPA. If you receive an S, the credits count toward graduation but no grade points are calculated. If you receive a U, neither credits nor grade points are counted. Most majors limit the number of S/U courses that can count toward requirements.

How does UTK handle incomplete grades?

Incomplete (I) grades do not affect your GPA until they are replaced with a final grade. You typically have one year to complete the work. If not completed, the I may convert to an F, which would then affect your GPA.

Does UTK round GPAs?

UTK calculates GPA to three decimal places but typically displays two. A 3.495 does NOT round to 3.50 for official purposes like graduation honors or program eligibility. You need the actual calculated GPA to meet thresholds.

Calculating What You Need

How to calculate what GPA you need next semester

Use this formula: Required Quality Points = (Target GPA × Total Future Credits) + (Current GPA × Current Credits).

Example: You have 45 credits with a 3.0 GPA. You want a 3.2 cumulative after taking 15 more credits. Current quality points = 3.0 × 45 = 135. Needed total = 3.2 × 60 = 192. You need 192 – 135 = 57 quality points from 15 credits. That’s 57 ÷ 15 = 3.8 average next term.

UTK GPA Requirements by College

Tickle College of Engineering

Engineering students typically need a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA to remain in good standing, but many engineering programs require a 2.5+ for progression into upper-division courses. Some competitive engineering majors may have higher GPA requirements for admission to the major.

Haslam College of Business

Business students usually need a 2.5+ cumulative GPA to be admitted to upper-division business courses. The college may also have specific GPA requirements for certain majors like Finance, Accounting, or Supply Chain Management.

College of Arts and Sciences

Most Arts and Sciences majors require a 2.0 cumulative GPA to graduate, but some programs (like pre-health tracks) may have higher expectations for competitive graduate school applications.

College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences

Education majors typically need a 2.75+ GPA for admission to teacher education programs and for student teaching placements. Some health science programs may have even higher requirements.

Technical Details and Edge Cases

Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA

UTK calculates an unweighted GPA only. Unlike high school, there is no weighting for honors or advanced courses. An A in a 100-level course and an A in a 400-level course both count as 4.0 for GPA purposes.

Variable Credit Courses

Some UTK courses (like research, thesis, or independent study) have variable credits. Always use the credit value for which you registered. For example, if you took a 1-3 credit research course for 2 credits, use 2 credits in your calculation, not the maximum possible.

Summer Sessions

Courses taken through UTK Summer Sessions count toward your UTK GPA if they are taken for a letter grade. They appear on your UTK transcript and are included in cumulative GPA calculations.

When to Seek Help

If your GPA is falling below your goals or academic requirements, take action immediately:

• • Meet with your academic advisor during office hours
• • Utilize UTK’s tutoring centers (The Writing Center, Math Place, etc.)
• • Consider dropping a course before the deadline if you’re struggling
• • Explore S/U grading option before the change deadline

This calculator follows UTK’s official grading policies as published by the Office of the University Registrar. For the most current information, always consult MyUTK and your academic advisor.