Grading System
The University of Iowa uses a letter grading system for individual courses, except for the College of Law, which uses a numeric system for course grading. In order to compute grade-point average (GPA), letter grades are converted according to the following numerical scale. GPAs are displayed at the bottom of students' grade reports. All of the following marks appear on the permanent record.
Grades and Points for Semester Hours
| A+ | 4.33 |
| A | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.67 |
| B+ | 3.33 |
| B | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.67 |
| C+ | 2.33 |
| C | 2.00 |
| C- | 1.67 |
| D+ | 1.33 |
| D | 1.00 |
| D- | 0.67 |
| F | 0 |
Not Used in Computing Grade-Point Average
| AUS | Audit Successful |
| AUU | Audit Unsuccessful |
| H | Honors |
| H- | Near Honors |
| IP | In Progress |
| N | Nonpass |
| P | Pass |
| S | Satisfactory |
| U | Unsatisfactory |
Other Marks on the Permanent Record
| H | Undergraduate honors section |
| HC | Individual undergraduate honors earned |
| I | Incomplete |
| IP | In progress |
| O | No grade reported |
| R | Registered, no grade required |
| W | Withdrawn |
| X | Excused |
| = | Changed grade |
| # | Grade not included in grade-point average |
| * | Undergraduate honors section |
Pass/Non-Pass Marks by College
Pass Marks
| A, B, C, D, PS | College of Pharmacy, Tippie College of Business |
| A, B, C, D, R, S | College of Dentistry |
| A, B, C, D, R, PS | College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Nursing, University College |
| A, B, C, D (not accepted toward graduate degree), R, S | Graduate College, College of Public Health, Tippie Graduate and Professional Programs |
| 3.60, 2.70, 2.10, 1.80, R, P | College of Law, numerals describe the lower limit for the equivalent letter grade |
| H, H-, P, R, P | Carver College of Medicine, circa 1997 |
Non-Pass Marks
| F | College of Dentistry, Carver College of Medicine |
| F, N | Tippie College of Business, College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, University College |
| F, U | Graduate College, College of Public Health, Tippie Graduate and Professional Programs |
| 1.50 | College of Law, number describes the lower limit for equivalent letter grade |
Distinction
Undergraduate
Beginning in the fall 2024 semester, the criteria for undergraduate students to graduate with distinction will be consistent among undergraduate colleges. The criteria will be based solely on a static GPA.
The Office of the Registrar certifies to the deans of the colleges the names of students eligible to graduate with distinction. To be eligible for consideration, degree candidates must complete the final 60 semester hours in residence as an undergraduate at the University of Iowa and at least 45 graded semester hours must have been completed prior to the final semester or session of registration. The GPAs upon which distinction is determined are the University of Iowa cumulative GPA (coursework taken at UI) and overall cumulative GPA (coursework taken at UI and any transfer work) prior to the beginning of the final semester or session.
The three levels of distinction are as follows.
- With highest distinction: 3.95 GPA or above.
- With high distinction: 3.85–3.94 GPA.
- With distinction: 3.75–3.84 GPA.
College of Pharmacy
The College of Pharmacy employs three levels of distinction as follows.
- With highest distinction: 4.00 GPA or above.
- With high distinction: 3.75–3.99 GPA.
- With distinction: 3.50–3.74 GPA.
Tippie Professional Programs
Iowa MBA and CIMBA graduates must meet the following criteria prior to the final registration to graduate with distinction. Distinction appears on the transcript and diploma.
- Iowa MBA and CIMBA: 3.80 GPA or above in their MBA program coursework completed at the University of Iowa.