Numeric GPA Reference — 4.0 Scale
3.3 GPA — B+ boundary, strong but
just below 3.5.
A 3.3 GPA is the B+ boundary on the 4.0 scale — strong, but just below the 3.5 threshold most cum laude distinctions and merit scholarships require. Enter your GPA below to see its letter grade.
Adjacent GPA values and grade equivalents
What it means
3.3 GPA on the
US 4.0 Scale
A 3.3 GPA on the 4.0 scale corresponds to B+ grade performance — exactly equivalent to B+ quality points per credit hour. B+ boundary — strong, but just below the 3.5 threshold most merit scholarships and cum laude distinctions require.
GPA is calculated as: Quality Points (grade pts × credits) divided by total credits. On the 4.0 scale, B+ earns 3.3 quality points per credit. A 3-credit course at B+ adds 9.9 quality points to your total.
Scale context
3.3 GPA in context
| GPA | Letter Grade | Common Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | A / A+ | Maximum; summa cum laude |
| 3.7 | A− | Magna cum laude (many schools) |
| 3.5 | B+/A− | Cum laude; Dean's List; scholarships |
| 3.0 | B | Graduate school floor; scholarship renewal |
| 2.0 | C | Academic standing floor; probation line |
| 3.3 | B+ | This page |
Thresholds vary by institution. Always check your school's official academic policies.
Common questions
3.3 GPA — FAQ
What letter grade is a 3.3 GPA?
A 3.3 GPA corresponds to a B+ letter grade on the 4.0 scale. B+ earns 3.3 quality points per credit hour.
Is a 3.3 GPA good?
Yes — 3.3 is a strong B+ average, above the 3.0 grad school floor and qualifying for many scholarships and Dean's List at some institutions. It's just below the 3.5 threshold that unlocks most cum laude honors and highly selective scholarship programs.
What percentage is a 3.3 GPA?
B+ typically corresponds to 87–90% on a 100-point scale. Some institutions define it as 86–89%. Check your school's grading scale.
How close is 3.3 GPA to cum laude?
Many schools set cum laude at 3.5. A 3.3 GPA is 0.2 below that threshold. With 60 existing credits at 3.3 GPA, it would take approximately 24 credits of straight A (4.0) grades to reach 3.5.
Can I get into a good graduate program with a 3.3 GPA?
Yes — 3.3 is above the minimum for most programs and is competitive for many mid-tier graduate programs. Top-tier PhD programs typically expect 3.7+, but many strong master's programs accept 3.3 and above with good test scores and recommendations.
Does a 3.3 GPA qualify for cum laude?
At most US institutions, no — cum laude typically requires 3.5 or higher. A 3.3 is a solid B+ result but falls short of the most common Latin honors threshold. Some schools set cum laude at 3.4 or, occasionally, 3.3; check your institution's official academic honors policy. For scholarship eligibility, a 3.3 meets many merit award minimums but not the most selective ones. For graduate admissions, a 3.3 is generally considered competitive at most programs, though top-tier programs often prefer 3.5+.
Sources
Data and
references
US GPA methodology documented by NCES IPEDS. Institutional GPA data via College Scorecard (ED.gov). Grade-point values per UC Davis Registrar and MIT Registrar.
Related reading: What Is a Good GPA? · GPA and College Admissions · GPA and Scholarships