Nursing programs that accept a 2.0 GPA: 19 verified low-GPA schools

Quick answer: Yes. Nursing programs that accept a 2.0 GPA are mostly community college ADN programs and practical nursing (LPN) programs. Minnesota West Community and Technical College (2.0 cumulative), Lone Star College System in Texas (2.0 cumulative, plus 2.7 in ADN degree-plan courses), and East Central Community College in Mississippi (2.0 for its traditional ADN) all publish a 2.0 minimum. CNA programs require no GPA, and most four-year BSN programs ask for 2.75 to 3.0.

Practical nursing programs at the Community College of Rhode Island and Rochester Community and Technical College also publish a 2.0 minimum. Wisconsin’s 16 technical colleges admit by application date and readiness benchmarks rather than GPA ranking, which removes competitive GPA pressure even where a minimum applies. If you are weighing programs by overall accessibility (acceptance patterns, entrance exams, and waitlists as well as GPA), see our guide to the easiest nursing schools to get into.

A lower GPA does not close the door to nursing school. It narrows which programs you can apply to directly – and it changes how you need to approach your application. Across the United States, many state-approved nursing programs publish GPA minimums of 2.0 to 2.5, and some community colleges have open admissions with no GPA floor at all.

This page covers what GPA thresholds mean for each program type (ADN, LPN, ABSN, BSN, and RN-to-BSN), which ABSN programs accept a 2.7 GPA, how the CNA-to-LPN-to-RN ladder works for students with low GPAs, how conditional admission works, how to write a personal statement that addresses a low GPA, and a list of programs whose own admissions pages publish a GPA minimum between 2.0 and 2.75.

On this page

• What counts as a “low GPA” for nursing school?
• Nursing programs that accept a 2.0 GPA
• Nursing schools that accept a 2.5 GPA
• Nursing schools that accept a 2.7 GPA
• Accelerated BSN programs that accept a 2.7 GPA
• The CNA-to-LPN-to-RN pathway
• Science GPA: why it matters more than cumulative GPA
• Conditional admission: how it works
• Grade forgiveness and GPA recalculation
• How to write a personal statement that addresses a low GPA
• Six steps to strengthen your application
• Accreditation: what to verify before you enroll
• Programs with published low GPA minimums
• Frequently asked questions

What counts as a “low GPA” for nursing school?

That depends on the program type. The threshold shifts significantly depending on whether you are applying to a CNA program, an LPN program, an ADN program, an ABSN program, or a BSN program.

Nursing programs that accept a 2.0 GPA

A 2.0 is the published minimum at many community college ADN programs and LPN programs, though 2.5 is at least as common at the ADN level. Read the fine print, though: a 2.0 cumulative floor often sits alongside a higher bar elsewhere. Lone Star College System in Texas accepts a 2.0 cumulative GPA but requires 2.7 across its ADN degree-plan courses, and Miami Dade College pairs a 2.0 natural science GPA with a 2.5 cumulative minimum.

With a 2.0 GPA, your most direct routes to an RN license are:

• Community college ADN programs – the most accessible path to RN licensure, often with 2.0 minimums or open admissions. Examples: East Central Community College in Mississippi (2.0 cumulative for the traditional ADN), Minnesota West Community and Technical College (2.0 cumulative), and Lone Star College System in Texas (2.0 cumulative, plus 2.7 in degree-plan courses).
• LPN programs – 12–18 months, 2.0–2.5 GPA requirement, leads to licensed clinical work. The Community College of Rhode Island, Rochester Community and Technical College in Minnesota, and Meridian Community College in Mississippi all publish a 2.0 minimum for practical nursing. Once you have nursing experience, LPN-to-RN bridge programs evaluate your clinical record rather than your original GPA.
• Waitlist and lottery-based programs – several states (California, Wisconsin) use lottery or waitlist systems rather than competitive GPA ranking. You need to meet the minimum (often 2.5 in prerequisites) and you wait your turn. Wisconsin’s 16 technical colleges are the clearest example: admission to nursing core courses is determined by application date and completion of academic-preparedness requirements rather than by GPA rank, with waitlists governed by Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter TCS 10. The GPA floor itself varies by campus and by entry route – Northcentral Technical College sets 2.50 under one option and no GPA requirement at all under another (substituting course completion plus a HESI A2 score), while Gateway Technical College accepts a 2.6 high school GPA, a 2.0 college GPA, a prior technical diploma, or placement test scores as alternative qualifying measures. Check the individual campus rather than assuming a single statewide number.

If your GPA is below 2.0, your clearest first step is a CNA program – no GPA required, clinical experience earned immediately, and it strengthens every future application.

Nursing schools that accept a 2.5 GPA

A 2.5 cumulative GPA opens considerably more options, including many community college ADN programs, most LPN programs, and some four-year BSN programs at smaller or less-selective institutions.

Key strategies at the 2.5 level:

• Science prerequisite GPA matters more than cumulative GPA. Programs accepting a 2.5 cumulative GPA often require 2.75 or higher in anatomy, physiology, and microbiology specifically. If your science grades are strong, say so explicitly in your personal statement.
• TEAS and HESI scores can offset GPA in holistic admissions pools. Scoring in the 80th percentile or above on the ATI TEAS is meaningful evidence of academic readiness.
• Entrance exam minimums are a floor, not a substitute for GPA. Tarrant County College in Texas requires a minimum HESI A2 score of 75 on every section, but clearing that bar only makes an application eligible – all applicants are then ranked competitively, and TCC states that most applicants selected for admission have a science GPA of 3.4 or higher. Ask any program how it weights the exam against GPA before assuming a strong score can carry a weak transcript.
• ABSN programs for second-degree students occasionally accept 2.5–2.75 GPAs when the applicant’s prior degree is in a science field or when prerequisite grades are strong.

Programs that publish a 2.5 minimum include Miami Dade College (FL), St. Louis Community College (MO), Aims Community College (CO), Southeastern Community College and Johnston Community College (NC), and Craven Community College’s practical nursing program (NC). San Jacinto College in Texas sets its 2.5 on science prerequisites rather than on the cumulative figure. See the program list below for each school’s exact wording and source.

Nursing schools that accept a 2.7 GPA

A 2.7 GPA puts you within reach of a wider BSN and ABSN pool, including some accelerated programs that target second-degree students or career changers.

At 2.7, focus on:

• Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs – designed for applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree. Many accept 2.7–2.8. Applicant volume varies widely from program to program, so compare each school’s published class size and admission data rather than assuming one state is easier than another.
• Applying in multiple states – requirements vary by institution, not just by state. A program in Texas might require 2.5 while a comparable program in New York requires 3.0. Geographic flexibility meaningfully expands your options.
• Prerequisite upstreaming – if your cumulative GPA is 2.7 but your science prerequisites are strong (3.0+), lead with that in your application. Some programs recalculate your effective GPA using only the last 60 credit hours.

At the associate level, a 2.7 cumulative GPA clears the published floors at every ADN program in our verified list except City Colleges of Chicago, which asks for 2.75, provided your prerequisite grades hold up too (San Jacinto College applies its 2.5 to science prerequisites, and Lone Star College System requires 2.7 across its degree-plan courses, which leaves no margin for a weak later grade).

Accelerated BSN programs that accept a 2.7 GPA

ABSN programs are designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. Most are selective – but a meaningful number accept applicants at 2.7 to 2.8 cumulative GPA, particularly when the applicant has strong science prerequisite grades or a science-related prior degree.

Named programs with documented cumulative GPA minimums in the 2.7 to 2.85 range include the following. Note that several pair a lower cumulative minimum with a much higher prerequisite requirement, so check both figures before ruling a program in or out:

• Indiana University Indianapolis (IU School of Nursing) – Second Degree Accelerated BSN track requires a minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, plus a 3.0 GPA in 41 credit hours of required general education prerequisites
• University of New Mexico – Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN requires a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher; the College of Nursing does not publish a separate minimum GPA for prerequisite coursework, only successful completion of it
• Roseman University of Health Sciences (Nevada/Utah) – ABSN program requires a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA with 49 completed semester credits
• George Mason University (Virginia) – Accelerated Second Degree BSN requires a minimum 2.85 cumulative GPA in the first bachelor’s degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA in nursing prerequisite coursework, with a C or better in each prerequisite course. The 3.0 prerequisite figure is a hard requirement at Mason, not a preference

What separates accepted applicants from rejected ones in ABSN programs is typically the science prerequisite GPA – and at several programs this is written into the published requirements rather than left to reviewer discretion. Indiana University requires a 3.0 across 41 credits of general education coursework on top of its 2.7 cumulative minimum, and George Mason requires a 3.0 in nursing prerequisites on top of its 2.85. A cumulative GPA in the 2.7s driven by early non-science coursework, combined with a 3.3 or higher in anatomy, physiology, and microbiology, is a workable profile at programs of this type, but the prerequisite floor is the gate you have to clear first.

If your cumulative GPA is 2.7, cast a wide geographic net and shortlist programs whose published minimums you clear on both the cumulative and the prerequisite figure. Ask each program how many applicants it received for its last cohort and how many seats it filled; that ratio tells you more about your odds than the state it sits in.

The CNA-to-LPN-to-RN pathway: the low-GPA route that builds clinical equity

For students with a GPA below 2.5 who want to reach RN licensure, the stepwise CNA-to-LPN-to-RN pathway is often the most realistic and momentum-building route available.

Here is how it works:

Step 1 – CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)

CNA programs require no GPA minimum – only a high school diploma or GED. Programs run 4 to 12 weeks. Once certified, you work directly with patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and home care settings. This gives you documented clinical hours and a reference from a healthcare supervisor, which carries weight in every future application. See the full how to become a CNA guide for steps, exam requirements, and state-by-state details.

If you are weighing a CNA-to-LPN bridge, many vocational schools and community colleges offer accelerated LPN tracks for students with active CNA certification, sometimes shortening the program or giving credit for prior clinical experience.

Step 2 – LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse)

LPN programs typically require a 2.0 to 2.5 GPA, take 12 to 18 months, and result in a state license that lets you work in a clinical setting immediately. The income from LPN work commonly funds the next step of education. For a full breakdown of the LPN-to-RN process and what the credential opens up, see how to become an LPN.

Step 3 – LPN-to-RN bridge

LPN-to-RN bridge programs (also called LPN-to-ADN or LPN-to-BSN) evaluate your nursing performance and clinical record alongside your original GPA. Once you have 1–2 years of LPN experience, admissions committees often weight your work history more heavily than the transcript you submitted years earlier. Many bridge programs accept a 2.0 GPA minimum and complete in 12 to 24 months. The how to become a registered nurse guide covers the full RN licensure process once you complete a bridge program.

This three-step pathway takes longer than a direct BSN path – typically 3 to 5 years total – but it generates income at each stage, builds a clinical portfolio that strengthens every subsequent application, and produces a licensed RN at the end. It is one of the most common routes taken by adults who enter nursing after a difficult academic period. For a full timeline comparison across program types, see how long it takes to become a nurse.

Science GPA: why it matters more than cumulative GPA

Most nursing programs consider two GPA figures separately: your cumulative GPA across all coursework, and your science prerequisite GPA covering anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and sometimes chemistry or statistics.

The science GPA matters more for a specific reason: it predicts performance in nursing coursework more accurately than a cumulative figure padded with electives and general education credits. A 2.5 cumulative GPA with a 3.4 science GPA tells admissions committees you can handle the academic demands of nursing – you just had a rough run in non-clinical coursework.

Key actions if your cumulative GPA is low but you have headroom in science:

• Retake any science prerequisites where you scored C or below. Some programs average the grades; others take the most recent. Either way, a recent A in anatomy signals capability.
• Complete additional science courses. A strong grade in a related course (genetics, nutrition, human biology) adds to the science GPA record and shows recent academic momentum.
• Name the split in your personal statement. If your science GPA is meaningfully higher than your cumulative GPA, state both numbers explicitly in your application essay. Don’t make reviewers search for it.

Programs that publicly weigh science prerequisite GPA heavily include most California community college ADN programs, Texas community college ADN programs that rank applicants on a points formula combining prerequisite GPA and entrance exam scores (each college sets its own formula; Austin Community College, for example, multiplies nursing prerequisite GPA by courses completed and adds TEAS points), and most ABSN programs with competitive admissions pools. When you contact programs directly, ask how they calculate the “science GPA” – which courses count and whether retakes replace or average the original grade.

Conditional admission: how it works and who offers it

Conditional admission is a formal pathway that lets students who fall short of the typical GPA minimum enter a nursing program under specific terms. Instead of a flat rejection, the school offers admission contingent on the student meeting defined benchmarks before or during their first semester.

What conditional admission typically requires:

• Bridge or prerequisite coursework – completing one or more courses before full acceptance, often with a minimum grade of B or higher. Common courses include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and college composition.
• Probationary first semester – full enrollment but with a required minimum GPA (often 2.5 or 3.0) by the end of the first term to continue.
• Academic support agreement – regular check-ins with an academic advisor, tutoring, or participation in supplemental instruction.

Not every program advertises conditional admission publicly. If your GPA sits just below a program’s stated minimum, contact the nursing department directly and ask whether conditional or provisional admission is available. Admissions advisors can tell you exactly what the pathway looks like and what you need to qualify.

Grade forgiveness and GPA recalculation

Some community colleges and universities offer academic renewal or grade forgiveness policies that allow students to retake courses and have the new grade replace – or average alongside – the original in their GPA calculation. For nursing applicants with early academic struggles, this can make a meaningful difference.

Key policies to know about:

• Academic renewal / fresh start – many community colleges allow students who struggled early (often 3–5 years prior) to petition for renewal, essentially excluding those older grades from GPA calculations. Eligibility criteria vary; ask the registrar directly.
• Last 60 credit hour recalculation – a number of nursing programs calculate a “recent GPA” using only the last 60 credit hours. If your low grades are from your first two years and you have performed well since, this calculation may show your actual academic readiness more accurately. Always ask admissions whether this applies.
• Course retake policy – most programs allow retaking failed or low-grade prerequisite courses. Passing anatomy or physiology on a retake – especially with a strong grade – signals improvement and commitment. Some programs will average the two grades; others will take the higher grade only.

If you have institutional options to improve how your transcript looks before applying, use them. A 2.3 cumulative GPA with a 3.2 in the last 60 credits tells a very different story than a flat 2.3.

Why community college ADN programs are the most accessible route to RN

Community college ADN programs consistently appear at the lower end of GPA requirements for nursing school – often accepting a 2.0 minimum, and in some cases using open admissions policies where any student with a high school diploma can enroll.

The ADN credential qualifies you to sit the NCLEX-RN and become a licensed Registered Nurse. Many ADN graduates then complete an online RN-to-BSN program while working. This is the most common path for students with a 2.0 to 2.5 GPA who want to reach RN licensure without spending four years in a traditional BSN program.

NCLEX-RN pass rates for ADN graduates sit close to those of BSN graduates. In NCSBN’s 2025 examination statistics, first-time US-educated candidates from associate degree programs passed at 86.1% against 87.6% for baccalaureate candidates – a gap of 1.5 percentage points, far narrower than the five to eight points often claimed. The degree level is not what determines licensure success. Once working as an RN, the levels of nursing available to you – including RN-to-BSN completion, MSN programs, and nurse practitioner tracks – open significantly, and many employers offer tuition assistance for advancement.

What nursing schools look at besides GPA

Schools with a 2.0–2.7 GPA floor typically use a holistic admissions process. GPA is one data point among several:

• ATI TEAS or HESI score – a strong entrance exam score (80th percentile or above) can materially offset a lower GPA in competitive-pool programs. Most programs publish their median accepted TEAS scores; use those as your target. Content tested includes nursing lab values, electrolyte imbalances, and basic pharmacology.
• Healthcare experience – CNA work, hospital volunteering, EMT certification, or similar demonstrates clinical commitment and is often the differentiating factor between accepted and waitlisted applicants at 2.0–2.5 programs
• Prerequisite science GPA – many programs look at your grades in anatomy, physiology, and microbiology separately from your cumulative GPA; strong science grades matter more than a 2.8 in general education courses
• Personal statement – an opportunity to explain circumstances that affected your GPA, what changed, and why you are ready for nursing training now
• Letters of recommendation – particularly valuable from healthcare professionals or clinical supervisors
• Recency of coursework – if your low GPA reflects older grades and you have completed recent coursework successfully, many programs weigh recent performance more heavily

How to write a personal statement that addresses a low GPA

The personal statement is where a low GPA applicant can change the narrative. Admissions committees understand that transcripts do not capture the full picture. What they want to see is self-awareness, a credible explanation, and evidence that you are ready now.

A strong personal statement for low GPA applicants covers three things:

1. What happened. Name the circumstances that contributed to your academic struggles – illness, family hardship, financial pressure, a personal crisis, or simply being on the wrong academic path at the wrong time. Be specific but brief. You are providing context, not asking for sympathy.

2. What changed. Describe the turning point. Did you find clinical work that shifted your direction? Did you complete coursework recently with strong results? Did you build skills (CNA work, healthcare volunteering) that show your readiness? This section carries the most weight – it’s evidence, not assertion.

3. Why nursing, why now. Connect your experience to the specific demands of nursing. Clinical commitment, patient care, and the kind of judgment nursing requires are best demonstrated through what you have already done, not through declarations of passion.

Practical tips:

• Lead with your strongest recent evidence, not an apology. Open with what you have done since the difficult period, then explain the context.
• Be specific about coursework. If you retook anatomy and earned an A, say so. If your science prerequisite GPA is 3.4 despite a 2.5 cumulative GPA, that number belongs in the first paragraph.
• Keep it under one page. Admissions reviewers read hundreds of these. Clarity and directness signal readiness for clinical training.
• Avoid vague language about passion. Every applicant claims to be passionate about nursing. Show clinical judgment, patient interaction, or professional growth instead.

Six steps to strengthen your application with a low GPA

1. Contact admissions directly. Requirements listed online may not reflect current practice. Call the nursing department, explain your situation, and ask what they look for in competitive candidates. Admissions advisors routinely give applicants useful, specific guidance – and asking demonstrates initiative.

2. Retake your weakest prerequisite courses. A failing grade in anatomy or chemistry pulls your science GPA down significantly. Retaking and passing those courses shows improvement and recency – both of which matter to reviewers.

3. Get your ATI TEAS score into the 80th percentile. Solid entrance exam performance signals academic readiness. Most programs publish their median accepted TEAS scores – use those as your target. See our NCLEX study tips for the preparation strategies that translate directly to TEAS performance.

4. Earn a CNA or work as a nursing assistant. Documented clinical experience tells admissions committees you understand what nursing work looks like. For programs accepting a 2.0, hands-on experience is often the differentiating factor between accepted and waitlisted applicants.

5. Consider starting with an LPN program. LPN programs typically require a 2.0 to 2.5 GPA and take 12 to 18 months to complete. Once licensed as an LPN and working, LPN-to-RN bridge programs become available – and those programs often evaluate your nursing performance rather than your original college GPA.

6. Apply to five to eight programs in the same cycle. Requirements vary by institution and state. Applying broadly, including community colleges outside your immediate area, significantly improves your odds.

Accreditation: the one thing to verify before you enroll

When you are evaluating low GPA nursing programs, approval and accreditation status matter more than acceptance rate. NCLEX eligibility comes from state board of nursing approval: graduates of a program that is not approved by the board in its state cannot sit the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN, which means no license regardless of how well you performed academically. National accreditation is a separate, voluntary quality review that matters for transferring credits, entering RN-to-BSN and graduate programs, and some employers.

Three bodies accredit US nursing programs at the national level, all three recognized by the US Department of Education:

• ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) – accredits practical nursing (LPN/LVN), associate degree (ADN), diploma, baccalaureate, master’s, and clinical doctorate programs. The most common accreditor for LPN and ADN programs at community colleges and vocational schools.
• CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) – accredits baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs. The most common accreditor for BSN, ABSN, and RN-to-BSN programs at four-year institutions.
• NLN CNEA (National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation) – established by the NLN in 2013, first recognized by the US Department of Education in May 2021, and re-recognized in July 2026 after a two-year review by department staff and NACIQI. Accredits across the full academic spectrum: practical/vocational, diploma, associate, baccalaureate, master’s, post-graduate certificate, and practice doctorate programs. Fewer programs hold NLN CNEA accreditation than ACEN or CCNE, but it carries the same recognized standing.

In addition to national accreditation, every state board of nursing maintains a list of state-approved nursing programs. State approval is the baseline requirement – a program must be state-approved for its graduates to be eligible for NCLEX. Accreditation by ACEN, CCNE, or NLN CNEA is the additional quality standard above that.

Before enrolling in any program, confirm it appears on your state board of nursing’s approved program list and check the searchable database of ACEN, CCNE, or NLN CNEA for accreditation status. This is especially important for programs at for-profit vocational schools, where accreditation status can change. The programs in the verified list below were selected for their published GPA minimums, not for accreditation status, so check both before applying.

If you are concerned about how hard nursing school is at a lower-selectivity program, state approval, national accreditation, and the program’s published NCLEX pass rate are far better quality signals than its acceptance rate.

Nursing programs with published low GPA minimums

The programs below publish a minimum GPA of 2.0 to 2.75 on their own admissions pages. Each figure was checked against the school’s page in September 2026, and the page is linked in the last column. Several programs pair a low cumulative floor with a higher prerequisite or science GPA, so read both columns before ruling a program in or out. A minimum makes you eligible to apply; most of these programs then rank applicants on GPA, entrance exam scores, and other points, so clearing the floor does not guarantee a seat. Requirements change each cycle, so confirm them with the program before you apply.

We previously ran a longer state-by-state list of institution-wide average freshman GPAs. We removed it because those averages were not tied to a primary source and described the whole college rather than its nursing program, which usually admits on stricter terms.

Associate degree (ADN/ASN) programs

Practical nursing (LPN) programs

RN-to-BSN programs (for licensed RNs)

Wisconsin’s technical colleges are covered in the 2.0 section above: they admit to nursing core courses by application date and readiness benchmarks, and the GPA floor varies by campus and entry route.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get into nursing school with a 2.0 GPA?

Yes. Community college ADN programs and LPN programs commonly accept a 2.0 GPA minimum, and some have open admissions with no GPA floor. Four-year BSN programs are more competitive, typically requiring 2.75 to 3.0. With a 2.0 GPA, starting with an LPN program or CNA certification and building clinical experience is often the most practical path to RN licensure.

What nursing schools accept a 2.5 GPA?

Many community college ADN programs and most LPN programs accept a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Some four-year nursing programs at smaller institutions also admit students at 2.5, particularly when prerequisite science grades are strong. Programs that publish a 2.5 minimum include Miami Dade College (FL), St. Louis Community College (MO), Aims Community College (CO), and Southeastern Community College (NC). A 2.5 cumulative GPA with strong science grades and a solid ATI TEAS score is a competitive profile at many programs.

What nursing schools accept a 2.7 GPA?

A 2.7 GPA qualifies you for most community college ADN programs, many LPN programs, and some accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs designed for career changers. ABSN programs specifically built for second-degree students sometimes accept 2.7–2.8 when the applicant’s prior degree is in a science field. Published ABSN minimums in this range include Indiana University Indianapolis (2.7 cumulative plus 3.0 in general education prerequisites) and the University of New Mexico (2.75). At 2.7, requirements vary by institution rather than by state, so compare each program’s published cumulative and prerequisite minimums and ask how many applicants it received for its last cohort.

What GPA do most nursing schools require?

Most ADN programs at community colleges require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to 2.5. BSN programs at four-year universities typically require 2.75 to 3.0, with competitive programs expecting 3.3 or higher. ABSN programs (accelerated for second-degree students) commonly require 2.7 to 3.0. Graduate programs (MSN, DNP) generally require 3.0 to 3.5, though some MSN programs accept working RNs with 2.75 or higher when clinical experience is strong. The floor shifts based on program level, institution selectivity, and whether admissions is holistic or GPA-ranked.

Can a high TEAS score offset a low GPA?

Yes, in many programs. Schools using holistic admissions weigh the ATI TEAS or HESI entrance exam score alongside GPA, clinical experience, and the personal statement. Scoring in the 80th percentile or above on the TEAS can make a meaningful difference when your GPA is at the lower end of the accepted range. Be careful not to overestimate how far a score can carry you, though: at Tarrant County College in Texas the HESI A2 sets a minimum of 75 on each section, but meeting it only makes an application eligible for a competitive ranking in which most admitted students have a science GPA of 3.4 or higher. Contact each program directly to understand how they weight each component.

Is it better to start with LPN and then bridge to RN?

For many students with a low GPA, yes. LPN programs have more accessible admission requirements, take 12 to 18 months, and lead to licensed clinical work. Once you have nursing experience as an LPN, LPN-to-RN bridge programs evaluate your clinical record rather than your original college GPA. This pathway takes longer overall but offers real momentum at each stage – you are licensed and earning while you advance.

Do nursing schools look at cumulative GPA or just prerequisite GPA?

Most programs look at both, and some weigh your science prerequisite GPA more heavily than your overall cumulative GPA. Strong grades in anatomy, physiology, and microbiology signal readiness for nursing coursework. If your low cumulative GPA is driven by early non-science courses, retaking a strong science course recently can shift how reviewers see your application. Some programs also recalculate GPA using only the last 60 credit hours – ask admissions whether this applies.

Are there nursing programs with no GPA requirement?

Yes. CNA programs typically require only a high school diploma or GED with no GPA minimum. Some community colleges use open admissions policies for developmental tracks and allow students to progress into nursing coursework once prerequisites are complete. Lottery and waitlist systems (random selection at some California community colleges, application-date waitlists at Wisconsin’s technical colleges) require meeting a minimum threshold – often 2.5 in prerequisite courses – rather than competing on GPA rank.

Can I go from CNA to LPN with a low GPA?

Yes. CNA-to-LPN programs are one of the most accessible entry points for students with a low GPA. LPN programs commonly accept a 2.0 to 2.5 GPA, and having active CNA certification can strengthen your application – some vocational schools offer accelerated LPN tracks for CNAs that compress the standard program length. Once you are working as an LPN, the LPN-to-RN bridge becomes available, and those programs weigh your clinical experience heavily alongside your academic record. The CNA-to-LPN-to-RN ladder is a practical and widely-used path to full RN licensure without requiring a high undergraduate GPA to start.

What nursing programs accept a 2.0 GPA specifically?

Community college ADN programs and LPN programs are the most consistent options at 2.0. Programs that publish a 2.0 minimum include East Central Community College in Mississippi (traditional ADN), Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Lone Star College System in Texas (2.0 cumulative, with 2.7 required in ADN degree-plan courses), and the practical nursing programs at the Community College of Rhode Island, Rochester Community and Technical College in Minnesota, and Meridian Community College in Mississippi. Wisconsin’s 16 technical colleges admit to nursing core courses by application date and academic-preparedness benchmarks rather than by GPA ranking, though the GPA floor itself varies by campus and entry route – Northcentral Technical College, for instance, sets 2.50 under one option and waives a GPA requirement entirely under another. The practical consideration at the 2.0 level is that simply meeting the minimum doesn’t guarantee admission – a strong ATI TEAS score, healthcare experience as a CNA or nursing assistant, and a clear personal statement are the factors that separate accepted applicants from waitlisted ones.

What nursing programs accept a 2.5 GPA?

Many ADN programs and most LPN programs accept a 2.5 GPA, and some four-year BSN programs at smaller institutions do as well. Specific programs that publish a 2.5 minimum include Miami Dade College (FL), St. Louis Community College (MO), Aims Community College (CO, calculated on your last 45 college credit hours), Southeastern Community College and Johnston Community College (NC), and the practical nursing programs at Craven Community College (NC) and Coastal Alabama Community College (2.5 in academic core courses). At 2.5, the key variable is your science prerequisite GPA: a 2.5 cumulative with strong anatomy and physiology grades (3.0 or higher) is a competitive profile at many of these programs. An ATI TEAS score in the 80th percentile or above is also a meaningful differentiator when GPA is at the lower boundary.

What is conditional admission in nursing school?

Conditional admission allows students who fall slightly below a program’s normal GPA cutoff to enroll under specific terms – typically completing bridge coursework, earning a minimum grade in early classes, or maintaining a set GPA during a probationary first semester. Not every program advertises this option publicly. If your GPA is close to a program’s stated minimum, contact the nursing department directly and ask whether conditional or provisional admission is available.

Do RN-to-BSN programs accept low GPAs?

RN-to-BSN programs are among the most flexible options for GPA. Because applicants are already licensed RNs with documented clinical experience, many programs weigh the nursing license and work history heavily. The University of Louisiana at Monroe publishes a 2.0 minimum in required pre-professional coursework. Southeast Missouri State University’s online RN-BSN publishes a 2.5 cumulative minimum, and the University of South Alabama asks for 2.5 across prerequisites with a 2.0 university GPA. Minimums are not uniformly low: Missouri Southern State University’s RN-to-BSN checklist asks for a 2.8 cumulative GPA. Many are designed for working nurses and offered online, though state authorization rules can limit which states an online program enrolls from.

Can I get into nursing school if my low grades are old?

Possibly, and in many cases your older grades carry less weight than you might expect. Some programs recalculate GPA using only the last 60 credit hours, which can substantially raise your effective GPA if your performance has improved. Some community colleges also offer academic renewal or fresh-start policies that allow older grades to be excluded from calculations after a defined period. Your personal statement is also an opportunity to contextualize the timeline – a difficult period five years ago followed by consistent strong performance is a fundamentally different profile from recent academic struggles.

What is the lowest GPA accepted in nursing school?

For licensed nursing programs (LPN and ADN), the lowest published minimum is typically 2.0 cumulative on a 4.0 scale. CNA certification programs require no GPA – only a high school diploma or GED. Some community colleges use open admissions and accept students with sub-2.0 GPAs into general enrollment, then allow them to apply to the nursing program after completing prerequisites with a stronger record. If your current GPA is below 2.0, the practical first step is a CNA program followed by prerequisite coursework retakes; if your most recent coursework shows a 2.5+ GPA, ask each program whether it offers a “last 60” recalculation or academic renewal – some do, and they can change how your application is read.

Can I get into a BSN program with a low GPA?

Direct entry to a four-year BSN with a sub-2.5 GPA is difficult at most universities, but several pathways exist. Some BSN programs at smaller or less-selective institutions admit students at 2.5 with strong science prerequisite grades. The more common low-GPA route to BSN is the ADN-to-BSN ladder: complete a 2-year community college ADN (often accepting 2.0 to 2.5), pass the NCLEX-RN, then enroll in an online RN-to-BSN program while working as a registered nurse. RN-to-BSN programs commonly accept GPAs at 2.0 to 2.5 because admissions weigh the active RN license and clinical experience.

Are there accelerated nursing programs that accept a 2.5 GPA?

Published accelerated BSN minimums below 2.7 are uncommon. Among the ABSN programs we verified, the lowest cumulative minimum is Indiana University Indianapolis at 2.7 (with a 3.0 required across 41 credits of general education prerequisites), followed by the University of New Mexico and Roseman University of Health Sciences at 2.75. With a 2.5, the more dependable routes are a community college ADN with a 2.5 floor followed by an RN-to-BSN program, or raising your GPA with recent prerequisite coursework before you apply to an accelerated BSN. Some programs calculate GPA on recent credits only (Aims Community College uses your last 45 hours, for example), so ask each school how it computes the figure.

Does my GPA affect my NCLEX pass rate or RN job prospects?

Your pre-nursing GPA has little bearing on either. The NCLEX-RN is a standardized licensure exam developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), and passing it depends on your nursing program preparation. Once you hold a valid state license, employers evaluate your license, clinical experience, references, and interview performance. Your grades inside nursing school can matter for your first job, though: competitive new-graduate residency programs often ask for transcripts, and some set a minimum nursing-program GPA (the VA’s Post-Baccalaureate RN Residency, for example, lists a 3.0 cumulative nursing GPA for its ideal candidate). A low GPA gets you into a program; strong performance once you are there widens your first-job options.

References

1. Austin Community College – Associate Degree Nursing traditional track application process: 2.7 minimum nursing prerequisite GPA, TEAS minimum 68%, ranking formula (nursing GPA × degree-plan courses completed + TEAS points + review points). Accessed September 2026. sites.austincc.edu
2. National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) – NCLEX examination policies and licensure requirements; candidates are made eligible by the nursing regulatory body after graduating from a board-approved program. ncsbn.org
3. US Department of Veterans Affairs, Houston VA – Post-Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency (PB-RNR) program: “minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 from your nursing program (ideal candidate)”; official or unofficial transcript required. Accessed September 2026. va.gov
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor – Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses. bls.gov
5. ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) – Accredited nursing program directory. acenursing.org
6. CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) – Accredited BSN/MSN program directory. ccneaccreditation.org
7. NLN CNEA (Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation) – Accredited program directory and accreditation standards. US Department of Education recognition first granted May 2021 and maintained in July 2026 following a two-year review supported by department staff and NACIQI recommendations. cnea.nln.org
8. NCSBN – “2025 NCLEX Examination Statistics,” Research Brief Vol. 96, June 2026. Table 8, first-time US-educated candidates by degree type: associate 86.1% (77,061 of 89,549), baccalaureate 87.6% (87,814 of 100,258), national total 86.7%. ncsbn.org
9. Indiana University School of Nursing – Second Degree Accelerated BSN admission requirements (2.7 cumulative GPA; 3.0 across 41 credits of general education coursework). nursing.iu.edu
10. George Mason University School of Nursing – Accelerated Second Degree BSN admissions (2.85 cumulative GPA; 3.0 nursing prerequisite GPA). nursing.gmu.edu
11. University of New Mexico College of Nursing – Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN option admission criteria (cumulative GPA 2.75 or higher). hsc.unm.edu
12. Tarrant County College – Nursing selective admission criteria (minimum HESI A2 score of 75 per section; competitive ranking). tccd.edu
13. Northcentral Technical College (WI) – Nursing Associate Degree admission requirements and selection process: admission by application date and academic-preparedness completion, waitlist under Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter TCS 10; 2.50 GPA under Option 2, no GPA requirement under Option 1. ntc.edu
14. Gateway Technical College (WI) – Program admission requirements: multiple qualifying measures including a 2.6 high school GPA, a 2.0 college GPA, a prior technical diploma, or placement test scores. gtc.edu
15. Wisconsin Technical College System – Directory of the system’s 16 public two-year technical colleges. wtcsystem.edu
16. Lone Star College System (TX) – Additional nursing program requirements: cumulative 2.0 GPA on all LSCS credit courses; 2.7 in BIOL 2401 and ENGL 1301; 2.7 across all ADN degree-plan courses. Accessed September 2026. lonestar.edu
17. Miami Dade College (FL) – Nursing RN (ASN) program requirements: 2.5 minimum cumulative GPA; 2.0 natural science GPA; ATI TEAS composite above 60%. Accessed September 2026. mdc.edu
18. East Central Community College (MS) – Associate Degree Nursing admission requirements: 2.0 cumulative GPA (traditional program), 2.5 (accelerated), ACT composite 18. Accessed September 2026. eccc.edu
19. Community College of Rhode Island – Practical Nursing admission guidelines: minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.0 to apply. Accessed September 2026. ccri.edu
20. University of Louisiana at Monroe – Education plan for registered nurses (RN to BSN): minimum corrected cumulative GPA of 2.0 in required pre-professional coursework. Accessed September 2026. ulm.edu
21. Missouri Southern State University – RN to BSN applicant checklist, AY 2025–2026: 2.8 or better cumulative college GPA. Accessed September 2026. mssu.edu
22. Southeast Missouri State University – Online RN-BSN admission requirements: minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA. Accessed September 2026. semo.edu

Program-level GPA figures for the remaining schools in the verified list are linked to each school’s own admissions page in the table’s source column.

Content reviewed by Lindsay Smith, AGPCNP-BC. Last reviewed: September 2026.

For details on our sourcing and review process, see our editorial methodology.