Calculate Your GPA at California Institute of Technology
Calculate your GPA at Caltech using the official 4.0 grading scale. Caltech's rigorous quarter-based curriculum and unique pass/fail options make precise GPA tracking essential for Techers navigating STEM-heavy coursework.
The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a world-renowned private research university in Pasadena, California, founded in 1891. As a private institution in Pasadena, CA with 2,240 students and a 6.4% acceptance rate, California Institute of Technology uses a Standard 4.0 Scale where A+ equals 4 grade points. Use the calculator below to compute your term and cumulative GPA using California Institute of Technology's official grading system.
What Makes California Institute of Technology Different
Caltech's Honor System, where all examinations are take-home and self-scheduled, places an extraordinary level of trust in students. With only about 1,000 undergraduates and a 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Caltech offers one of the most intensive STEM-focused educational experiences in the world, where collaboration is encouraged and grades are de-emphasized in favor of deep understanding.
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a world-renowned private research university in Pasadena, California, founded in 1891. Despite its small size of around 2,240 students, Caltech consistently ranks among the top STEM institutions globally, managing NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and producing 46 Nobel laureates. The institute offers rigorous programs in science, engineering, and technology through six academic divisions, all operating on a unique quarter system with a heavy emphasis on undergraduate research.
Grading Scale
Standard 4.0 Scale
Using the California Institute of Technology GPA Calculator
The California Institute of Technology GPA calculator follows the Standard 4.0 Scale, where A+ carries 4 grade points. Start by selecting your course grades from California Institute of Technology's official letter scale — each entry maps to a precise point value on the 12-grade scale shown below. Enter credit hours for each course and add as many classes as needed per term. The calculator shows both your semester GPA and cumulative GPA across all terms, and you can export a PDF summary for academic advising or scholarship applications.
For planning ahead, pair this calculator with the GPA Goal Simulator. Enter your current GPA, credits completed, and target GPA to see exactly what grades you need in upcoming coursework at California Institute of Technology to reach your goals.
Academic Policies Guide for California Institute of Technology
Understanding your university's specific academic rules is crucial for success. Below are key policies at California Institute of Technology that directly relate to your GPA. These are for general guidance and should always be verified with your official academic advisor or the university registrar.
Academic Honors (Dean's List & Latin Honors)
Caltech does not award traditional Latin honors, instead recognizing academic excellence through the Caltech Honor List, which identifies the top 15% of each class by term GPA each quarter. Graduation with "Honors" requires a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above, a designation noted on the transcript and diploma. Election to Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society, provides additional recognition for students in engineering disciplines who rank among the top fifth of their class. The Honor List system reflects Caltech’s philosophy of recognizing relative performance within a rigorous STEM-focused curriculum where strict grade distributions are the norm.
Academic Probation and Suspension
At Caltech, undergraduates must maintain a minimum 2.0 term and cumulative GPA for good academic standing in the quarter system. A term GPA below 2.0 in any quarter results in academic probation, requiring the student to meet with their faculty advisor and submit a recovery plan. Two consecutive quarters below 2.0 or a cumulative GPA below 2.0 for two terms may lead to required withdrawal from the Institute. Failure to achieve a 2.0 term GPA during the probationary quarter can result in suspension.
Course Repetition and Grade Replacement
Caltech allows students to repeat courses in which they earned a grade of C- or below, with only the higher grade counting toward the cumulative GPA. Students may repeat a maximum of 36 units across their entire undergraduate career, a generous allowance reflecting the rigorous STEM curriculum at the Institute. The original grade remains on the transcript but is excluded from GPA calculation once the course is successfully repeated. Consult your faculty advisor before repeating a course to ensure it aligns with your degree plan.
How California Institute of Technology Calculates GPA
Caltech uses a standard 4. 0 scale with plus/minus grading on the quarter system. The calculation follows the standard formula: multiply each course's grade point value by its credit hours, sum all quality points, then divide by total credits attempted. At California Institute of Technology, this determines Dean's List eligibility, Latin honors, probation status, and competitive program admissions.
Sample Quarter Calculation
A typical load of four courses in one quarter at California Institute of Technology, using the official scale:
- Biology (3 cr, A = 4)
- Chemistry lab (4 cr, B+ = 3.7)
- English (3 cr, A- = 3.7)
- History (2 cr, B = 3.0)
Total: (3×4) + (4×3.7) + (3×3.7) + (2×3.0) = 43.900000000000006 ÷ 12 = 38.40 GPA.
GPA at California Institute of Technology: What's at Stake
With a 6.4% acceptance rate and 2,240 students competing for top opportunities at this private institution in Pasadena, CA, your GPA directly affects Dean's List eligibility, Latin honors thresholds, competitive major admissions, and scholarship renewals. California Institute of Technology uses the Standard 4.0 Scale shown in this calculator, so every course grade you enter reflects your standing accurately against official standards. Grad schools and employers routinely request cumulative GPAs — tracking both term and cumulative numbers with this tool helps you spot trends before they affect your long-term record.
Honors at California Institute of Technology: Caltech does not award traditional Latin honors, instead recognizing academic excellence through the Caltech Honor List, which identifies the top 15% of each class by term GPA each quarter.
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