Michigan State University GPA Calculator
Calculate your MSU GPA using the official grading scale. A+ = 4.33 — one of the most granular scales in US higher ed. Cumulative GPA is capped at 4.0 regardless of A+ count. Below D- (0.67) is a failing grade.
Calculate your GPA
Add each course with its letter grade and credits — the GPA updates as you type.
| Course | Grade | Credits |
|---|
Add at least one course with credits to see your GPA.
About the Michigan State GPA Scale
Michigan State University uses a 4.0 GPA scale with 13 grade levels — from A+ (4.33) down to F (0.0). Unlike most US universities that stop at A=4.0, MSU records A+ as 4.33 honor points. However, the cumulative GPA is capped at 4.0: an A+ helps offset lower grades but cannot push your final GPA above 4.0.
MSU also uses S (Satisfactory) and NS (Not Satisfactory) grades for some courses — these carry no grade points and are excluded from GPA calculations. Compare MSU's scale with other US universities on our US grading guide.
| Letter Grade | Grade Points | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.33 | Highest honors (capped at 4.0 cumulative) |
| A | 4.0 | Excellent |
| A- | 3.67 | |
| B+ | 3.33 | |
| B | 3.0 | Good |
| B- | 2.67 | |
| C+ | 2.33 | |
| C | 2.0 | Satisfactory |
| C- | 1.67 | |
| D+ | 1.33 | |
| D | 1.0 | Minimum for credit |
| D- | 0.67 | Lowest passing grade |
| F | 0.0 | Failure, no credit |
Source: Michigan State Official Grading Policy. A+ introduced Fall 2017.
How MSU GPA is calculated
MSU GPA is the credit-weighted average of your honor points. The formula is:
GPA = Sigma (honor points x credit hours) / Sigma credit hours attempted
Each course contributes honor points x credit hours. A 4-credit course graded A+ contributes 17.32 quality points; a 3-credit course graded B+ contributes 9.99. S/NS courses add credits but no grade points and are excluded from the GPA calculation.
Other US universities with unique grading scales
MSU is one of several US schools with a distinctive grading system. See how others compare:
- University of Washington — B+ = 3.4, no C+/C-/D+/D- grades
- Ohio State — uses E (not F) for failing, no A+ or D-
- Rutgers — half-point increments (B+ = 3.5), no minus grades
- Indiana University — standard +/- scale, Dean's List at 3.7
- UCLA and UC Berkeley — A+ = A = 4.0 on standard +/- scale
Browse all 25 university GPA calculators or convert any system on the international GPA converter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What GPA scale does Michigan State use?+
Michigan State uses a 4.0 scale with plus/minus grades, including A+ (4.33) and D- (0.67). This is one of the most detailed grading scales among US universities, with 13 grade levels.
Does MSU give A+ grades?+
Yes — as of Fall 2017, MSU awards A+ grades worth 4.33 honor points. However, the cumulative GPA is still capped at 4.0, so an A+ helps offset lower grades but cannot push your final GPA above 4.0.
What is a passing grade at MSU?+
A D- (0.67) is the lowest passing grade, but a 1.0 is the minimum to receive credit for a course. To graduate, undergraduates must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
How does MSU calculate cumulative GPA?+
MSU calculates GPA by multiplying each course's honor points by its credit hours, summing all quality points, and dividing by total credit hours attempted for graded courses (excluding S/NS courses).
Do S/NS courses affect my MSU GPA?+
No. Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory (S/NS) courses are not included in GPA calculations. An S grade means you passed (equivalent to 1.0 or higher), but no grade points are earned.