Grading System
SNHU grades range from A (4.00) to F (0.00) on a 4.00-scale, with no A+. Several designations carry no grade-point value and do not factor into GPA, including Incomplete (I), Audit (AU), Credit (CR), In Progress (IP), Pass (P), Satisfactory (S), and Withdrawal (W/WF/WP).
Direct-assessment competency-based programs use "Mastery" (MA) grades instead of letter grades once individual competencies are met. MA carries no grade points, so students in these programs have no GPA at all.
Source: Expanded Transcript Key, Office of the University Registrar, rev. 10/27/2025 — verified Sep 2026
How SNHU Calculates GPA
GPA is the sum of grade points earned divided by the sum of attempted credit hours.
If a course is repeated, the most recent grade counts toward the cumulative GPA and the first attempt is excluded; if both attempts are passing grades, credit is earned only once.
Grades preceded by "R" (academic renewal, e.g. RC, RF) are excluded from the GPA calculation entirely. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grades count toward degree credit but not toward the quality-point average.
Source: Expanded Transcript Key, Office of the University Registrar, rev. 10/27/2025 — verified Sep 2026
Minimum GPA for a Degree
Undergraduate students must reach a cumulative GPA of C (2.0) or better; graduate students must reach a cumulative GPA of B (3.0) or better, along with completing all program requirements, to be awarded an SNHU degree.
Source: Expanded Transcript Key, Office of the University Registrar, rev. 10/27/2025 — verified Sep 2026
Academic Honors
Full-time undergraduates earning a term GPA of 3.500-3.699 are named to the Dean's List; 3.700 and above earns the President's List.
Latin Honors at graduation (minimum 30 institutional credits for an associate degree, 60 for a bachelor's): Cum Laude at a cumulative GPA of 3.500-3.699, Magna Cum Laude at 3.700-3.849, and Summa Cum Laude at 3.850-4.000.
Source: Expanded Transcript Key, Office of the University Registrar, rev. 10/27/2025 — verified Sep 2026
Transfer Credit
SNHU accepts transfer credit from institutions recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education, provided the course grade is C- or better at the undergraduate level or B or better at the graduate level. Credit for prior learning may also be awarded via American Council on Education (ACE) or National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) evaluations.
Source: Expanded Transcript Key, Office of the University Registrar, rev. 10/27/2025 — verified Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What grading scheme does Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) use?
Where does this SNHU grade scale come from?
Does this scale apply to every SNHU student?
This page reflects SNHU's undergraduate scale. Graduate coursework uses the same grade-point values (A = 4.00 down to F = 0.00) but a narrower letter set — graduate courses generally don't use the C-, D+, or D grades that appear at the undergraduate level.
Separately, students in SNHU's direct-assessment, competency-based programs receive "Mastery" (MA) grades rather than letter grades once a competency is met. MA carries no grade-point value, so those programs do not produce a GPA at all.
Source: Expanded Transcript Key, Office of the University Registrar, rev. 10/27/2025 — verified Sep 2026
