NCAA Core GPA Calculator

Determine your eligibility for NCAA Division I and Division II sports by calculating your GPA based specifically on the 16 required core courses.

NCAA Core Course GPA Calculator

Enter your 16 core courses (English, Math, Science, Social Science, etc.) to see if you meet the minimum 2.3 GPA for Division I or 2.2 GPA for Division II.

COURSE NAME
SUBJECT TYPE
CREDITS
GRADE

Understanding NCAA Core GPA

The NCAA Eligibility Center does not use your overall high school GPA. Instead, they calculate a "Core GPA" based only on 16 specific NCAA-approved core courses. This calculator helps you isolate those courses to see where you stand.

The 16 Core Course Rule

To be eligible for Division I sports, you must complete 16 core courses in the following areas:

  • 4 years of English
  • 3 years of Math (Algebra I or higher)
  • 2 years of Natural/Physical Science (1 year of lab if offered)
  • 1 additional year of English, Math, or Natural/Physical Science
  • 2 years of Social Science
  • 4 additional years of English, Math, Natural/Physical Science, Social Science, Foreign Language, Comparative Religion, or Philosophy

GPA Requirements

Division I

  • Minimum Core GPA: 2.3
  • Must match your ACT/SAT sum score on the sliding scale.
  • Complete 10 core courses before your seventh semester.

Division II

  • Minimum Core GPA: 2.2
  • Must match your ACT/SAT sum score on the sliding scale.
  • Complete 16 core courses.

How the Sliding Scale Works

The NCAA uses a sliding scale to balance your GPA and test scores. If you have a lower GPA, you need a higher test score to be eligible, and vice versa.

For example, with a 2.300 Core GPA, you might need an SAT sum score of 980 or an ACT sum score of 75. However, if you have a 3.550 Core GPA, you might only need an SAT sum score of 400 or an ACT sum score of 37.

*Note: Requirements can change. Always verify with the official NCAA Eligibility Center website.