The University of Texas at Austin calculates official academic performance using a 4.00 plus/minus grade point average (GPA) scale. Under this system, standard letter grades carry specific numerical grade point values ranging from 4.00 for an A down to 0.00 for an F. A student’s official GPA is calculated by multiplying the credit hours of each completed course by the numerical point value earned, summing the total grade points, and dividing that total by the aggregate number of GPA credit hours attempted.

For students asking whether a 3.7 GPA represents an A or a B grade: a 3.7 falls squarely within the A grade range at UT Austin. On the university’s official scale, an A- equals 3.67 grade points while a flat A equals 4.00 grade points. Consequently, a 3.7 cumulative or semester average reflects academic achievement hovering just above the A- benchmark.

Comparing Undergraduate and Graduate GPA Calculation Rules at UT Austin

While UT Austin applies identical numerical point equivalents for letter grades across undergraduate and graduate divisions, the scope of coursework included in official GPA totals differs significantly between the two academic levels. Understanding this core operational difference is essential when evaluating transcripts or projecting academic standing.

The official scale assigns numerical grade points to letter grades as follows:

• A: 4.00 grade points
• A-: 3.67 grade points
• B+: 3.33 grade points
• B: 3.00 grade points
• B-: 2.67 grade points
• C+: 2.33 grade points
• C: 2.00 grade points
• C-: 1.67 grade points
• D+: 1.33 grade points
• D: 1.00 grade point
• D-: 0.67 grade points
• F: 0.00 grade points

For undergraduate students, the official record is termed the cumulative University grade point average. This metric includes all work undertaken at UT Austin for which a letter grade is recorded, encompassing resident coursework, correspondence courses, extension classes, and historical credit by examination recorded with a letter grade prior to September 15, 2006. To receive academic credit for an undergraduate course, a student must earn a grade of at least D- (0.67 grade points), though individual academic departments reserve the right to mandate higher minimum grades for specific degree requirements.

In contrast, a graduate student’s official record is termed the graduate grade point average. This calculation includes only upper-division undergraduate courses and graduate courses taken in residence while enrolled in Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for which a letter grade is earned, alongside graduate extension courses completed while enrolled in the Graduate School. Lower-division undergraduate courses, undergraduate classes completed through the university’s TEXAS Extended Campus, transfer courses from other institutions, and coursework completed prior to graduate enrollment are strictly excluded. Furthermore, graduate student rules require a minimum grade of C (2.00 grade points) for any course to be included in a graduate degree Program of Work. Historical regulations also specify that undergraduate courses taken by graduate students from fall 1999 through summer 2008 are excluded, whereas upper-division undergraduate courses taken before fall 1999 or after summer 2008 are included.

Step-by-Step Calculation: Evaluating the Same Course Load Under Undergraduate vs. Graduate Rules

To demonstrate how grading rules change calculated averages, consider a student enrolled in a 15-credit-hour term consisting of five distinct classes. The course load includes a mix of graduate, upper-division, lower-division, and non-graded coursework:

• Course 1 (Advanced Seminar, 4 credit hours): Grade A- (3.67 grade points per credit hour)
• Course 2 (Intermediate Theory, 3 credit hours): Grade B+ (3.33 grade points per credit hour)
• Course 3 (Research Practicum, 3 credit hours): Grade C (2.00 grade points per credit hour)
• Course 4 (Independent Study, 3 credit hours): Grade CR (Credit, non-graded symbol)
• Course 5 (Introductory Survey, 2 credit hours): Grade D+ (1.33 grade points per credit hour; designated as lower-division coursework)

Under undergraduate cumulative GPA rules, all completed letter-graded courses count toward the GPA, while the CR symbol is omitted from GPA hours.

1. Calculate grade points earned per course:

• Course 1: 4 credit hours × 3.67 = 14.68 grade points
• Course 2: 3 credit hours × 3.33 = 9.99 grade points
• Course 3: 3 credit hours × 2.00 = 6.00 grade points
• Course 4: 0 GPA credit hours (symbol CR is excluded)
• Course 5: 2 credit hours × 1.33 = 2.66 grade points

2. Sum total GPA credit hours attempted: 4 + 3 + 3 + 2 = 12 GPA credit hours.
3. Sum total grade points earned: 14.68 + 9.99 + 6.00 + 2.66 = 33.33 grade points.
4. Compute final undergraduate GPA: 33.33 grade points ÷ 12 GPA credit hours = 2.7775, which rounds to a 2.78 GPA.

Under graduate GPA rules, Course 5 (lower-division undergraduate course) and Course 4 (symbol CR) are both excluded from the calculation.

1. Calculate grade points for eligible courses:

• Course 1: 4 credit hours × 3.67 = 14.68 grade points
• Course 2: 3 credit hours × 3.33 = 9.99 grade points
• Course 3: 3 credit hours × 2.00 = 6.00 grade points (meets the minimum C requirement for Program of Work)

2. Sum total graduate GPA credit hours attempted: 4 + 3 + 3 = 10 GPA credit hours.
3. Sum total graduate grade points earned: 14.68 + 9.99 + 6.00 = 30.67 grade points.
4. Compute final graduate GPA: 30.67 grade points ÷ 10 GPA credit hours = 3.067, which rounds to a 3.07 GPA.

Comparing the identical term side by side yields an undergraduate GPA of 2.78 versus a graduate GPA of 3.07, demonstrating how exclusions of lower-division work alter official averages.

When Each GPA Calculation Method Applies and How Non-Graded Symbols Function

Determining which evaluation framework applies depends strictly on a student’s enrollment level and the specific administrative symbols recorded on their academic transcript. Official GPAs are calculated directly by the registrar and displayed on student grade reports and official academic transcripts.

Both undergraduate and graduate calculations exclude non-graded symbols. These administrative markings record registration status or course completion without affecting total grade points or GPA hours:

• CR (Credit) and NC (No Credit): Used for pass/fail or credit/no-credit registration. Since September 15, 2006, credit earned by examination is awarded solely as CR.
• Q (Course Dropped): Indicates a course dropped officially without academic penalty.
• W (Student Withdrawal): Marks withdrawal from the university for the semester.
• X (Temporary Delay): Indicates a temporary delay in submitting a course grade.
• I (Permanent Incomplete): Represents an incomplete course record.
• • (Asterisk): Denotes a continuing course.
• S (Satisfactory) and U (Unsatisfactory): Used in specific non-letter-graded course structures.

• (Pound Sign): Indicates that a grade was not submitted in time for the report.

• Z (Pass/Fail Registration): Identifies registration on a credit/no credit or pass/fail basis.

Undergraduates earning high cumulative averages while maintaining full course loads may qualify for University Honors, which are announced on semester grade reports. Conversely, students failing to maintain minimum cumulative GPA thresholds face academic probation or scholastic dismissal as defined in university policy catalogs.

Default Recommendation for GPA Tracking and Academic Exception Rules

For routine tracking of academic progress, students should rely on their official academic summary or semester grade reports. The university provides an online academic summary in lieu of an unofficial transcript. This document displays legal name, UT EID, major, semester classification, completed UT and transfer hours, lower-division and upper-division GPAs, and the cumulative UT Austin GPA.

To run hypothetical scenario planning or verify semester grade point totals manually, students can utilize the official GPA Calculator maintained by the Office of the Registrar. This calculator is specifically configured for undergraduate and graduate student grading structures.

However, certain academic programs operate under strict exceptions to standard university GPA rules:

• School of Law: The registrar does not calculate an official GPA for students enrolled in the School of Law. Law students requesting academic summaries or transcripts must follow specialized procedures through transcript services.
• Dell Medical School: Students in Dell Medical School receive specialized grade reporting, and standard semester grade reports distributed by the registrar do not apply.
• Grade Correction Requests: If a student identifies an error on a grade report, they must contact the course instructor. The instructor submits a formal grade change request, and upon approval, the Office of the Registrar updates the student record and recalculates the cumulative GPA.