How grading works at UNLV
UNLV uses a letter-grade system, consistent with the grading policy of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). The base letters are A, B, C, D, and F. At their own option, instructors may also issue plus and minus grades — specifically A-, B+, B-, C+, C-, D+, or D- — and the course syllabus explains which format a given instructor uses. You can't appeal the format an instructor chooses.
Some courses are offered only on a Satisfactory/Fail (S/F) or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) basis instead of a letter grade. An S is not used in computing your GPA either way, but an F earned in an S/F course does count toward your GPA, same as any other F.
Source: Grades and Grade Point Balance — grade symbol list and plus/minus paragraph, Satisfactory/Fail and Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Grading sections — verified Aug 2026
How UNLV calculates your GPA
Your GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points you've earned by the total number of semester credit hours you've attempted. Grade points are assigned per credit hour of each letter grade you receive.
Some grades don't count toward this calculation at all: S, U, I, X, W, and AD are excluded from GPA computation, along with any noncredit courses. Your UNLV GPA also only includes grade points earned in courses taken at UNLV itself — grade points from transferred coursework are never included.
Source: Grades and Grade Point Balance — 'Grade Points and Grade Point Average (GPA)' section — verified Aug 2026
What GPA you need to graduate from UNLV
You need a minimum GPA of 2.00 to graduate from UNLV. A grade of D- or above is considered passing a course (as is a grade of S), and you earn course credit once you post a passing grade — though individual colleges, schools, programs, and departments can require a higher passing grade for their own degree requirements.
UNLV also publishes a Grade Point Balance (GPB) figure to help you see how far above or below the 2.00 graduation minimum you are. Each grade contributes a GPB value equal to its GPA points minus 2.00 — for example, a B contributes +1.00 and a D contributes -1.00 — so you can see at a glance how many additional credits of which grades would bring a deficient GPA back up to 2.00.
Source: Grades and Grade Point Balance — passing-grade paragraph and 'Grade Point Balance (GPB)' section — verified Aug 2026
How transfer credit affects your UNLV GPA
If you transfer coursework into UNLV, it does not affect your UNLV GPA. GPA calculations only include grade points earned in courses taken at UNLV — grade points from transferred courses are never counted, even though the credits themselves may still count toward your degree.
Source: Grades and Grade Point Balance — GPA computation sentence — verified Aug 2026
Frequently asked questions
Can I save my semesters and track my CGPA at UNLV?
How do I convert SGPA to CGPA at UNLV?
Can I add past semester GPAs without entering every course?
Is my CGPA tracker data sent to your servers?
Is this University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) GPA calculator free?
Does UNLV give an A+?
No. UNLV's plus/minus policy is a closed list — instructors may issue A-, B+, B-, C+, C-, D+, or D-, and A+ is not among them. The highest grade at UNLV is a plain A, worth 4.0 grade points.
Source: Grades and Grade Point Balance — plus/minus paragraph — verified Aug 2026
What is UNLV's lowest passing grade?
D-, worth 0.7 grade points, is UNLV's lowest passing grade — the catalog states that grades of "D- and above" on the letter scale are considered passing. An F is a failure and does not earn course credit, though it still counts toward your GPA and toward credits attempted.
Source: Grades and Grade Point Balance — passing-grade paragraph — verified Aug 2026
What happens if you get an Incomplete (I) at UNLV?
An I is excluded from your GPA computation while it's outstanding. You have until the last day of the following regular semester (fall or spring) to finish the coursework, unless your instructor sets an earlier deadline. If the work isn't completed in time, the I automatically becomes an F, and your GPA is adjusted accordingly.
Source: Grades and Grade Point Balance — 'Incomplete Grade' section — verified Aug 2026
Do S, U, W, X, or AD grades count toward your UNLV GPA?
No. UNLV's catalog states plainly that grades of S, U, I, X, W, or AD "are not computed" toward your GPA. These cover satisfactory/unsatisfactory coursework, continuing courses like a thesis or dissertation, withdrawals, and audited courses — none of them affect your grade point average either way.
Source: Grades and Grade Point Balance — GPA computation sentence — verified Aug 2026
