What is Cumulative GPA?
Cumulative GPA is the average of all grades you have received throughout your entire high school or college career.
Unlike a "Semester GPA" which resets every term, your cumulative GPA follows you until graduation. It is the primary number used for:
- Graduate School Applications
- Job Resumes & Internships
- Graduation Honors (Cum Laude)
Semester vs. Cumulative
Your performance for a single term (e.g., Fall 2025). Used for Dean's List eligibility.
Your total performance from day one. Used for Degrees & Scholarships.
How to calculate Cumulative GPA for all semesters
You cannot simply average your semester GPAs together. You must follow these steps to account for credit weight.
The "Sarah" Example
Sarah has completed two semesters. Notice how her second semester has more credits, so it "weighs" more in the final calculation.
Took 12 Credits
Took 16 Credits (Heavier weight)
Find Quality Points
Multiply GPA × Credits for each term.
Add Totals
Sum the points and the credits.
Divide
Total Points ÷ Total Credits
Is Cumulative GPA Weighted or Unweighted?
This is one of the most common points of confusion. The answer depends entirely on whether you are in High School or College.
Often Weighted. Schools give bonus points for difficulty. An 'A' in AP Chemistry might count as 5.0, while an 'A' in Gym counts as 4.0.
Usually Unweighted. Difficulty is measured by "Credits". An 'A' in a hard class is still just 4.0, but it counts more towards the average because it has more credit hours.
Don't mix them!
When applying to college, list your weighted and unweighted GPAs separately if your transcript provides both.
What is a good Cumulative GPA?
A "good" GPA is relative to your goals. Here is a breakdown of common GPA tiers and what doors they typically open.
Raising Your Cumulative GPA
The more credits you have, the harder it is to move your cumulative GPA. This is often called "GPA Weight".
To raise a Cumulative GPA, you need to perform consistently higher than your current average over a sustained period.
The "Senior Year" Problem
Why it's hard to change your GPA late in your degree.
One 'A' moves GPA significantly.
One 'A' barely moves the needle.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)