How the LSU Cumulative GPA Calculator Works

Louisiana State University uses a standard 4.0 grading scale with plus/minus distinctions. Your cumulative GPA is calculated by dividing total quality points by total credit hours attempted at LSU. Unlike some universities, LSU includes plus/minus grades in GPA calculations, which makes accuracy crucial for planning.

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

The formula LSU uses for cumulative GPA is straightforward:

Example: You have completed 45 credit hours with a 3.2 cumulative GPA. This means you have 144 quality points (3.2 × 45 = 144). You’re taking 15 credit hours this semester. If you earn 52.5 quality points this semester (average of 3.5 GPA), your new total would be 196.5 quality points across 60 credit hours. New cumulative GPA = 196.5 ÷ 60 = 3.28.

Understanding Your LSU Cumulative GPA

Why Cumulative GPA Matters at LSU

Your cumulative GPA at LSU affects everything from academic standing to scholarship eligibility, graduation honors, and graduate school applications. LSU uses your cumulative GPA for:

• • Academic probation and suspension decisions
• • Scholarship renewals and financial aid eligibility
• • Dean’s List and President’s Honor Roll recognition
• • Graduation with Latin Honors
• • Major-specific progression requirements

What Counts as a Good GPA at LSU?

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 most campus activities. Many organizations require a minimum 2.5 GPA.

For scholarships and programs: 3.3 to 3.6 qualifies for most merit scholarships and honors programs. Flagship Scholars 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 LSU requires 3.9+.

LSU-Specific GPA Policies

Dean’s List and President’s Honor Roll

LSU’s Dean’s List requires a 3.5 to 3.89 GPA for the semester with at least 12 graded credit hours. President’s Honor Roll requires a 3.9 to 4.0 GPA with at least 12 graded hours. Both appear on your transcript and matter for internships and jobs.

Note the “graded hours” requirement. If you take 15 credits but 4 are S/U graded, you only have 11 graded hours and don’t qualify even with a 4.0.

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 LSU 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

LSU 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 LSU cumulative GPA?

Log into myLSU, then navigate to “Academic Records” and select “Unofficial Transcript” or “Grades.” Your official cumulative GPA is displayed there. You can also find it on your Degree Audit report.

Do AP/IB credits affect my LSU cumulative 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 LSU GPA calculation, even though they count toward graduation requirements.

How do transfer courses affect my LSU cumulative GPA?

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

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 LSU 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 LSU round cumulative GPAs?

LSU 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 for Your Goals

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 60 credits with a 2.8 cumulative GPA. You want a 3.0 cumulative after taking 15 more credits. Current quality points = 2.8 × 60 = 168. Needed total = 3.0 × 75 = 225. You need 225 – 168 = 57 quality points from 15 credits. That’s 57 ÷ 15 = 3.8 average next semester.

LSU GPA Requirements by College

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.

E. J. Ourso 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 Marketing.

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

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

College of Science

Science majors often have competitive programs with higher GPA expectations, especially for pre-med, pre-dental, and other health profession tracks. Many require 3.0+ for competitive graduate school applications.

Technical Details and Edge Cases

Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA

LSU calculates an unweighted GPA only. Unlike high school, there is no weighting for honors or advanced courses. An A in a 1000-level course and an A in a 4000-level course both count as 4.0 for GPA purposes.

Variable Credit Courses

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

When to Seek Help at LSU

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

• • Meet with your academic advisor during office hours
• • Utilize LSU’s tutoring centers (CxC, Math Center, etc.)
• • Consider dropping a course before the deadline if you’re struggling
• • Explore S/U grading option before the change deadline
• • Visit the Center for Academic Success for study strategies

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