UIUC GPA Calculator

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign uses a full plus/minus 4.0 grading scale. Grade point values are: A+ = 4.0, A = 4.0, A- = 3.67, B+ = 3.33, B = 3.0, B- = 2.67, C+ = 2.33, C = 2.0, C- = 1.67, D+ = 1.33, D = 1.0, D- = 0.67, F = 0.0. Your GPA is calculated by multiplying each grade's point value by the number of credit hours in that course, summing those products across all letter-graded courses, then dividing by the total letter-graded credit hours attempted. CR (Credit), NCR (No Credit), W (Withdrawal), and similar non-standard grades are excluded from GPA calculations.

UIUC uses a full plus/minus grading scale with 13 distinct letter grade values — from A+ (4.0) all the way down to D- (0.67) and F (0.0). Notably, A+ and A both carry the same 4.0 value at Illinois; there is no grade above 4.0. This full plus/minus scale means that the difference between a B+ (3.33) and a B (3.0) is 0.33 grade points per credit hour — a meaningful gap when multiplied across a full course load. This contrasts with simplified scales like Rutgers' that skip several intermediate grades.

To qualify for the Dean's List at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, undergraduate students generally need a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher while enrolled in at least 14 graded credit hours during the semester. Requirements can vary by college — for example, the Grainger College of Engineering and the Gies College of Business may have slightly different criteria. Always verify the specific requirements with your college's academic office.

UIUC awards three tiers of graduation honors based on cumulative GPA relative to your graduating class. Highest Distinction (Summa Cum Laude equivalent) is typically awarded to approximately the top 3% of graduates in each college. High Distinction (Magna Cum Laude equivalent) goes to roughly the next 7%. Distinction (Cum Laude equivalent) is awarded to approximately the next 15%. Approximate GPA cutoffs have historically been around 3.90+ for Highest Distinction, 3.75+ for High Distinction, and 3.50+ for Distinction — but exact cutoffs shift annually based on class performance, and each college at UIUC has its own honors calculations.

The University of Illinois requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to remain in good academic standing as an undergraduate student. Students who fall below 2.0 are placed on academic probation. Many individual programs at UIUC — particularly engineering, computer science, business, and the health sciences — require a higher minimum GPA for continued enrollment in the major, sometimes 2.5 or higher. Always check the specific requirements for your declared major.

Credit (CR), No Credit (NCR), and Withdrawal (W) grades are excluded from your UIUC GPA calculation entirely. CR and NCR grades do not count toward your GPA but may count toward credit hours for degree progress and financial aid purposes. A W grade also does not affect your GPA, though excessive withdrawals can impact your Satisfactory Academic Progress for financial aid and may be a flag in graduate or professional school applications. WE (Withdrawal Excused) is similarly excluded from GPA calculations.

To calculate your cumulative GPA at UIUC, multiply each letter grade's point value by the credit hours for that course across every semester, sum those products, then divide by your total letter-graded credit hours. The Cumulative GPA mode in this calculator lets you enter your prior UIUC GPA and credit hours to see exactly how your current semester affects your overall standing. This is especially useful for mapping the GPA trajectory needed to reach Dean's List or honors thresholds.

Yes — UIUC uses a full plus/minus grading scale. Unlike some universities that use only whole-letter grades (A, B, C, D, F), Illinois assigns distinct grade point values to each plus and minus variant. The only exception is A+, which carries the same 4.0 value as a plain A — there is no grade above 4.0. This means your UIUC GPA calculation requires a true plus/minus scale, not the simplified scale used by schools like Rutgers.

The most effective approach depends on how many credit hours you've completed. Early in your UIUC career — under 60 credit hours — even one strong semester can meaningfully shift your cumulative GPA. With UIUC's full plus/minus scale, moving from a B (3.0) to a B+ (3.33) in a 4-credit course adds 1.32 grade points to your total — a real difference. Key strategies: retake courses where you earned a D or F if Illinois grade replacement allows it, prioritize high-credit courses where grade improvements yield the most GPA gain, and use tools like Lunora to turn your actual UIUC course notes and readings into targeted practice questions so you walk into every exam genuinely prepared — not just hopeful.