UT GPA scale and grading policy
Quick answer: University of Texas at Austin uses the standard 4.0 scale. a = 4.0, a- = 3.67, b+ = 3.33, etc. UT Austin uses your high school class rank as the primary admission factor (automatic admission for top 6% of Texas public school students). GPA is reviewed but secondary to rank.
| Metric | UT Standard |
|---|---|
| Typical admit GPA | 3.7 - 4.0 (3.85 average) |
| Good standing minimum | 2.0 |
| Dean's List threshold | 3.5+ for College Scholar |
| Scale type | Standard 4.0 scale. A = 4.0, A- = 3.67, B+ = 3.33, etc. |
How UT Austin recalculates GPA for admission
UT Austin uses your high school class rank as the primary admission factor (automatic admission for top 6% of Texas public school students). GPA is reviewed but secondary to rank. The number you submit on your transcript and the number UT uses in its admission decision may differ. Use the calculator above to model both — switch the preset to match UT Austin's policy.
Top X% auto-admit threshold, Fall 2025
Top 6% of Texas high school class
Source: UT Austin Office of Admissions, HB 588 announcement
Maintaining a good UT GPA
- Top 6% Rule auto-admits Texas residents. If you rank in the top 6% of your Texas high school graduating class, UT-Austin is required by state law to admit you to the general university. Major-specific admission (McCombs, Cockrell) remains competitive even under auto-admit.
- Out-of-state admit rate runs 5-15%. The state has a 90% Texas-resident enrollment cap, leaving very few slots for non-residents. A 3.9+ unweighted plus strong essays, two recommendations, and major-specific extracurriculars are realistic minimums.
- CAP rebuilds the path for denied applicants. The Coordinated Admission Program lets denied applicants attend UTSA, UT-Tyler, or UT-El Paso for one year, maintain a 3.2 GPA, and transfer automatically to UT-Austin as a sophomore. Underused recovery path for borderline candidates.
- Grade replacement is limited. You can retake a course where you earned C- or lower, but both grades appear on your transcript and both factor into your cumulative GPA. The original grade is not removed — stricter than most state flagships.
Admit-range and policy data verified against UT Austin's official admissions page.