Attempted vs. Earned Hours

Attempted Hours

Attempted hours are defined as all hours accumulated throughout a student’s career at an institution (including all passed courses, failed courses, repeated courses, courses dropped after drop-add period, summer courses and transfer work). 

For example, a student who:

  • Enrolls with 15 transfer credits
  • Takes five courses at three credit hours each (for a total of 15 credit hours)
  • Fails one three-credit course
Will end up accumulating 30 attempted hours at the end of the semester.

Note:  Hours currently in progress are not calculated in attempted hours 

Earned Hours

Earned hours are defined as credits attained from all courses (including transfer work, AP classes and summer courses) a student has successfully passed. Withdrawals and failed courses do not count as earned hours. 

For example, a student who:

  • Takes five courses at three credit hours each (for a total of 15 credit hours)
  • Fails one 3-credit course

Will end up accumulating 12 earned hours at the end of the semester.

Note:  Hours currently in progress are not calculated in earned hours