NCAA GPA Requirements

The NCAA does not use the GPA listed on your transcripts; instead, it calculates your GPA using only NCAA-approved core courses. Every year, student-athletes are declared academically ineligible because they took the wrong courses and didn’t know until it was too late.

We strongly suggest you meet with your high school counselor and go through the NCAA GPA Worksheet, but below we break down all the information you need to know to be prepared for that meeting.

Common scenarios to watch out for

• Assuming a good high school GPA automatically makes you NCAA eligible.
  Often, recruits will take a few easier courses to pad their GPA, but those won’t be used to determine their core course GPA. On the other hand, many honors students will take advanced classes that might not be on the NCAA approved list for their school. Always double check with your high school counselor to make sure you are on track to be eligible. 
• Not passing a class early in high school and assuming you can make it up later.
  The NCAA “locks in” your first 10 core courses after your junior year of high school. 7 of these core courses must be in English, math or natural/physical science. If you failed or got a low grade in a core class early in high school, make sure you retake that class before the end of your junior year. This core course progression is required for D1 programs. 
• Your high school doesn’t have a list of NCAA-approved courses.
  If you are going to a nontraditional high school, your school might not have a list of NCAA-approved core courses. In this scenario, the NCAA will do a full academic review of your courses and conduct a high school account review.
• You’re an international student-athlete. 
  Other than Canadian provinces, few schools outside of the U.S. have core course lists. International student-athletes should review the NCAA’s Guide to International Academic Standards for Athletics Eligibility to make sure they remain eligible. 

The calculation for core course GPA is the quality points for all core courses divided by total number of core-course units you have completed. 

To determine the quality points you earn for each course, multiply the grade points by the amount of credit earned.

Each high school has its own list of NCAA approved core courses. Meet with your high school counselor to confirm your classes will meet the NCAA GPA requirements. 

How to calculate core course GPA

To calculate your NCAA core-course GPA:

1. Identify approved core courses: Only use NCAA-approved classes in English, math (Algebra I or higher), natural/physical science, social science, foreign language, or other approved academic areas.
2. Assign grade points: Convert each letter grade into unweighted points (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0). Plus/minus grades and local weighting are not used.
3. Apply units: Count each course’s credit value: full year = 1.0 unit, semester = 0.5, trimester = 0.34, quarter = 0.25.
4. Multiply and total: For each course, multiply grade points × course units = quality points. Then add all quality points and all units.
5. Divide: Core GPA = (Total quality points) ÷ (Total core units).

Example: If you earned an A (4 pts) in a full-year English (1.0 unit = 4.0 quality pts) and a B (3 pts) in a semester of Algebra (0.5 unit = 1.5 quality pts), you’d have 5.5 quality points ÷ 1.5 units = 3.67 core GPA.

Note: The NCAA Eligibility Center will officially calculate your GPA using your best grades in the required number of approved core courses (16 for Division I & II).

NCAA core GPA calculator

The below calculator can help estimate NCAA core-course GPA. Add your approved English, math, science, social science, and other core classes to track progress. Please note: this is an unofficial tool. The NCAA Eligibility Center reviews your transcript and calculates the final GPA based on its requirements. A few important usage tips:

• Enter only courses that appear on the school’s NCAA-approved core course list (the tool can’t verify approval).
• If your transcripts show B+, B, or B-, select B (plus/minus aren’t used).
• For semesters/trimesters, the calculator uses 0.50 and 0.34 units respectively.

Maintaining NCAA eligibility

There is another element to NCAA academic eligibility, and that is maintaining your eligibility once you are in college. While you should have the full support of your college’s compliance office to ensure you maintain eligibility, here is a rough breakdown of the academic requirements once you are in college:

By the START of sophomore year, you must:

• have a cumulative GPA of 1.8
• have completed 36 units

By the END of sophomore year, you must:

• declare a major

By the START of junior year, you must:

• have a cumulative GPA of 1.9
• have completed 72 units (40 percent of your total degree requirements)

By the START of senior year, you must:

• have a cumulative GPA of 2.0
• have completed 108 units (60 percent of your degree requirements)

By the START of a fifth year, you must:

• have a cumulative GPA of 2.0
• have completed 144 units (80 percent of your degree requirements)

FAQs about NCAA GPA Requirements

Below we answer some of the most common questions we get about how to calculate core GPA. 

conclusion

Your GPA is very important when it comes to playing college sports. Remember, every school has its own rules, so it’s essential to work hard in your classes and keep your grades up. Don’t forget to check with the NCAA Eligibility Center and your future college to make sure you meet their GPA requirements. Keep studying, giving your best effort, and chasing your dreams on and off the field!

Have more questions?

Speak with an expert to discuss where you are in your recruiting journey, how NCSA can help, and to understand guidance and resources available.