Purdue GPA scale and grading policy
Quick answer: Purdue University uses the standard 4.0 scale with +/− grades (a = 4.0, a- = 3.7, b+ = 3.3). Purdue admission uses your high school GPA as reported. Honors and AP weighting is reviewed contextually alongside course rigor.
| Metric | Purdue Standard |
|---|---|
| Typical admit GPA | 3.5 - 3.9 (West Lafayette campus) |
| Good standing minimum | 2.0 |
| Dean's List threshold | 3.5+ for Semester Honors |
| Scale type | Standard 4.0 scale with +/− grades (A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3). |
How Purdue recalculates GPA for admission
Purdue admission uses your high school GPA as reported. Honors and AP weighting is reviewed contextually alongside course rigor. The number you submit on your transcript and the number Purdue uses in its admission decision may differ. Use the calculator above to model both — switch the preset to match Purdue's policy.
Maintaining a good Purdue GPA
- Track cumulative GPA, not just semester GPA. Purdue University reports both. Most academic warnings trigger on the cumulative number.
- Use the credit-weighted scoring above.A 4-credit course's grade affects your GPA 33% more than a 3-credit course's grade.
- Plan for honors. 3.5+ for Semester Honors. Use the GPA Goal Calculator to see what grade average you need next semester to qualify.
- Check the grade replacement policy. Purdue, like most universities, has a grade-replacement policy for retaken courses. Removing a low grade from the cumulative is the single biggest GPA lift.