UW-Madison GPA scale and grading policy
Quick answer: University of Wisconsin-Madison uses the standard 4.0 scale. a = 4.0, ab = 3.5, b = 3.0, bc = 2.5 (the school uses ab and bc as midpoint grades). Wisconsin uses unweighted GPA but considers course rigor separately. Honors and AP courses are factored into the admissions decision.
| Metric | UW-Madison Standard |
|---|---|
| Typical admit GPA | 3.8 - 4.0 unweighted |
| Good standing minimum | 2.0 |
| Dean's List threshold | 3.5+ for Dean's List |
| Scale type | Standard 4.0 scale. A = 4.0, AB = 3.5, B = 3.0, BC = 2.5 (the school uses AB and BC as midpoint grades). |
How Wisconsin recalculates GPA for admission
Wisconsin uses unweighted GPA but considers course rigor separately. Honors and AP courses are factored into the admissions decision. The number you submit on your transcript and the number UW-Madison uses in its admission decision may differ. Use the calculator above to model both — switch the preset to match Wisconsin's policy.
Fall 2024 admit GPA average (all programs)
3.86 unweighted
Source: UW-Madison Office of Admissions and Recruitment, 2024
Maintaining a good UW-Madison GPA
- Wisconsin Idea Scholarship covers full tuition at 3.0+. Pell-eligible Wisconsin residents get full tuition coverage at any UW-Madison program — but the 3.0 cumulative GPA renewal floor is firm. Drop below 3.0 and the award terminates immediately.
- Course retake replaces D/F grades fully. UW's course-retake policy lets the second grade fully replace the first in your cumulative GPA, capped at 12 credits total — and only for courses where you originally earned D or F.
- Dean's List requires 3.85+ on 12+ credits. Higher than most public flagships (typically 3.5). Degree honors run 3.5/3.75/3.9 for With Honors, With High Honors, and With Highest Honors respectively.
- WSB direct-admit needs 3.4+ in pre-business. If you don't direct-admit from high school, you can apply for sophomore admission with a 3.4+ GPA in pre-business courses (ECON 101/102, MATH 211, ACCT 100). Most students who do this maintain 3.6+ to stay competitive.
Admit-range and policy data verified against Wisconsin's official admissions page.