Credit Hours Total Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the credit hours total calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Credit Hours Total Calculator

Formulas Used

Completed Credits

completed_credits = completed_total

Total Including In-Progress

total_with_current = all_total

Remaining After Current Term

remaining_credits = max(degree_required - all_total, 0)

Degree Completion

pct_complete = min(all_total / degree_required * 100, 100)

Variables

Variable	Description	Default
`sem1_credits`	Semester 1 Credits	15
`sem2_credits`	Semester 2 Credits	16
`sem3_credits`	Semester 3 Credits	14
`sem4_credits`	Semester 4 Credits	15
`in_progress`	In-Progress Credits	12
`degree_required`	Degree Required Credits	120
`completed_total`	Derived value`= sem1_credits + sem2_credits + sem3_credits + sem4_credits`	calculated
`all_total`	Derived value`= completed_total + in_progress`	calculated

How It Works

How to Total Credit Hours

Credit hours quantify the instructional time a course represents. Summing your earned credits across all semesters shows how far you have progressed toward your degree.

Formula

Total Credits = Sum of Each Semester's Credits

Remaining = Degree Requirement - (Completed + In-Progress)

Most bachelor's degrees require 120 credit hours, though some programs (engineering, architecture) require more.

Worked Example

A student has completed 4 semesters (15, 16, 14, 15 credits) and is enrolled in 12 credits this term. The degree requires 120 credits.

sem1_credits = 15sem2_credits = 16sem3_credits = 14sem4_credits = 15in_progress = 12degree_required = 120

01Completed credits: 15 + 16 + 14 + 15 = 60
02Total with in-progress: 60 + 12 = 72
03Remaining: 120 - 72 = 48
04Completion: 72 / 120 x 100 = 60.0 %

Ready to run the numbers?

Open Credit Hours Total Calculator