Low GPA nursing schools: programs that accept 2.0, 2.5, and 2.7 GPAs

LS
By Lindsay Smith, AGPCNP
Updated April 26, 2026

Quick answer: Nursing programs that accept a 2.0 GPA are typically community college ADN programs and LPN programs. Documented examples include Miami Dade College (2.0 minimum), Lone Star College System in Texas (2.0 cumulative), Southern University at Shreveport (2.0 average enrolled), Arapahoe Community College (2.0 in nursing coursework), and all 16 Wisconsin Technical Colleges (2.0 minimum, waitlist-based admission). CNA programs require no GPA. Four-year BSN programs typically require 2.5 to 3.0.

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, hundreds of accredited nursing programs accept students with GPAs 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 state-by-state list of programs with documented low GPA requirements.

On this page

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.

ProgramTypical minimum GPANotes
CNANone requiredMost programs require only a high school diploma or GED
LPN2.0–2.5One of the most accessible licensed nursing credentials
ADN (community college RN)2.0–2.5Many community colleges accept 2.0; some have open admissions
ABSN (accelerated BSN)2.7–3.0Designed for second-degree students; some programs accept 2.7
BSN (4-year RN)2.5–3.0More competitive; 3.0+ often required for top programs
RN-to-BSN bridge2.0–2.5More flexible for working nurses with clinical experience
MSN (graduate)2.75–3.0Some programs accept 2.75 for working RNs with clinical experience

Nursing programs that accept a 2.0 GPA

A 2.0 is the minimum GPA accepted by most community college ADN programs and many LPN programs. Some programs go further: community colleges in Louisiana, Illinois, Virginia, and New Mexico have documented average enrolled GPAs at or below 2.2, meaning students below 2.5 are regularly admitted.

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: Miami Dade College (minimum 2.0), Lone Star College System in Texas (minimum 2.0 cumulative), Arapahoe Community College in Colorado (minimum 2.0 in nursing coursework).
  • LPN programs — 12–18 months, 2.0–2.5 GPA requirement, leads to licensed clinical work. 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 accept a 2.0 minimum, with waitlists ranging from none to five years depending on the campus.

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.
  • Tarrant County College (Texas) bases admission primarily on HESI scores — GPA is not a deciding factor if your score reaches the threshold. This model exists at a small number of other programs; contact admissions directly to ask how much weight each factor carries.
  • 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 with documented average enrolled GPAs near 2.5 include Pensacola State College, Bowie State University, Monroe County Community College, and Harris-Stowe State University (see state-by-state list below).

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. Programs in Oregon, Nevada, Utah, and Texas have historically had shorter waitlists than comparable programs in California or New York.
  • 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.

Programs with average enrolled GPAs near 2.7 include Florida Memorial University, Kingsborough Community College (CUNY), Minnesota State College Southeast Technical, and Wesley College in Delaware.

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 2.7–2.75 GPA minimums include:

  • 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 — requires a minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA from a prior bachelor’s degree and a minimum 3.0 in all nursing prerequisites
  • Roseman University of Health Sciences (Nevada/Utah) — ABSN program accepts a minimum 2.75 GPA with 49 completed semester credits
  • George Mason University (Virginia) — Accelerated Second Degree BSN has a 2.7 minimum for the overall record, with preference given to strong science prerequisites

What separates accepted 2.7 applicants from rejected ones in ABSN programs is typically the science prerequisite GPA. A 2.7 cumulative GPA driven by early non-science coursework, combined with a 3.3 or higher in anatomy, physiology, and microbiology, is a competitive profile at most of these programs.

If your cumulative GPA is 2.7, focus your ABSN search on programs in states with shorter waitlists and less-saturated applicant pools — historically Nevada, Utah, Oregon, and parts of Texas — rather than competing in high-demand markets like California or New York.

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.

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.

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.

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, the Texas statewide TEAS-plus-GPA ranking system, 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 are comparable to BSN graduates; the degree level does not determine 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, accreditation status matters more than acceptance rate. Graduates of unaccredited programs cannot sit the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN — meaning you cannot obtain a nursing license regardless of how well you performed academically.

Two bodies accredit US nursing programs at the national level:

  • ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) — accredits practical nursing (LPN/LVN), associate degree (ADN), diploma, baccalaureate, master’s, and clinical doctorate programs. The relevant accreditor for LPN and ADN programs at community colleges and vocational schools.
  • CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) — accredits baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral nursing programs. The relevant accreditor for BSN, ABSN, and RN-to-BSN programs at four-year institutions.

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. ACEN or CCNE accreditation 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 ACEN or CCNE’s searchable database for accreditation status. This is especially important for programs at for-profit vocational schools, where accreditation status can change. The programs listed in the state-by-state section below are institutions with nursing programs on record — verify current accreditation status directly with each school before applying.

If you are concerned about how hard nursing school is at a lower-selectivity program, accreditation is the meaningful proxy for program quality — not acceptance rate.

Nursing schools with low GPA admission requirements

Below is a state-by-state list of nursing programs with documented low GPA requirements. GPA figures reflect institutional averages for enrolled freshmen or published minimum thresholds — they are not guarantees of admission. Requirements change; contact each school to confirm current criteria before applying.

Alabama

  • Stillman College

    • Minimum high school GPA: 2.5

  • Jefferson State Community College

    • Avg. enrolled freshman GPA: 2.98

  • Oakwood University

    • Avg. enrolled freshman GPA: 2.99

Alaska

  • University of Alaska, Prince William Sound College

    • Avg. enrolled freshman GPA: 2.75

  • University of Alaska Southeast

    • Avg. enrolled freshman GPA: 2.94

Arizona

  • Cochise County Community College District
    • Avg. GPA: 2.66

Arkansas

  • Arkansas Northeastern College
    • Avg. GPA: 2.87

California

  • American University of Health Sciences

    • Avg. GPA: 2.50

  • Los Angeles Harbor College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.50

  • Lincoln University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.6

Colorado

  • Lamar Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.95

  • Northeastern Junior College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.98

  • Metropolitan State University of Denver

    • Avg. GPA: 2.98

  • Colorado Mountain College (Leadville)

    • Avg. GPA: 2.4

  • Colorado Mountain College (Glenwood Springs)

    • Avg. GPA: 2.4

Connecticut

  • Post University
    • Avg. GPA: 2.68

Delaware

  • Wesley College
    • Avg. GPA: 2.71

Florida

  • Chipola College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.68

  • Bethune-Cookman University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.92

  • Florida SouthWestern State College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.96

  • Pensacola State College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.54

  • Florida Memorial University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.7

Georgia

  • Georgia Gwinnett College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.86

  • Albany State University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.77

  • Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.85

  • Life University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.9

  • Fort Valley State University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.87

  • Andrew College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.6

Illinois

  • Robert Morris University Illinois

    • Avg. GPA: 2.73

  • Governors State University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.78

  • McHenry County College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.25

  • Richland Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.15

  • South Suburban College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.33

  • Kankakee Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.9

  • Lincoln College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.56

  • National Louis University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.68

  • City Colleges of Chicago, Wilbur Wright College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.5

Indiana

  • Ancilla College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.45

  • Indiana Tech

    • Avg. GPA: 2.98

Iowa

  • Southeastern Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.93

  • William Penn University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.9

  • University of Dubuque

    • Avg. GPA: 2.92

Kansas

  • Colby Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.96

  • Cowley County Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.94

Kentucky

  • Hazard Community and Technical College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.98

  • Kentucky State University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.8

Louisiana

  • Dillard University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.78

  • Southern University at Shreveport

    • Avg. GPA: 2.0

  • Bossier Parish Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.65

  • Southern University at New Orleans

    • Avg. GPA: 2.4

Maryland

  • Coppin State University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.62

  • Bowie State University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.53

  • University of Baltimore

    • Avg. GPA: 2.89

Massachusetts

  • Mount Wachusett Community College
    • Avg. GPA: 2.57

Michigan

  • Alpena Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.67

  • Grand Rapids Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.9

  • Monroe County Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.5

  • Schoolcraft College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.8

  • Lake Michigan College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.8

Minnesota

  • Riverland Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.81

  • Minnesota State College–Southeast Technical

    • Avg. GPA: 2.7

  • Minnesota West Community and Technical College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.62

  • Vermilion Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.8

Missouri

  • Moberly Area Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.85

  • Lincoln University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.6

  • Harris-Stowe State University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.5

Nebraska

  • Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
    • Avg. GPA: 2.5

New Mexico

  • New Mexico Junior College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.75

  • New Mexico State University–Carlsbad

    • Avg. GPA: 2.75

  • Western New Mexico University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.5

  • Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute

    • Avg. GPA: 2.11

  • Northern New Mexico College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.63

New Jersey

  • Bloomfield College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.69

  • College of Saint Elizabeth

    • Avg. GPA: 2.6

  • New Jersey City University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.91

  • William Paterson University of New Jersey

    • Avg. GPA: 2.87

New York

  • Cayuga County Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.6

  • Kingsborough Community College of the City University of New York

    • Avg. GPA: 2.7

  • Niagara County Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.48

  • Sullivan County Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.3

  • Mohawk Valley Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.64

  • Nassau Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.51

  • Suffolk County Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.5

North Carolina

  • Bladen Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.6

  • Vance-Granville Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.5

  • Louisburg College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.34

  • Catawba Valley Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.73

  • Fayetteville Technical Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.6

  • Guilford Technical Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.55

  • Johnson C. Smith University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.79

  • Shaw University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.6

  • University of Mount Olive

    • Avg. GPA: 2.85

  • Chowan University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.66

North Dakota

  • Sitting Bull College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.5

  • Mayville State University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.99

Ohio

  • Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science

    • Avg. GPA: 2.8

  • Ohio Valley College of Technology

    • Avg. GPA: 2.5

  • Kent State University at Geauga

    • Avg. GPA: 2.68

  • Bowling Green State University–Firelands College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.8

  • James A. Rhodes State College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.98

  • Kent State University at Ashtabula

    • Avg. GPA: 2.98

  • Kent State University at Trumbull

    • Avg. GPA: 2.74

  • Stark State College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.68

  • Edison State Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.86

  • University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.73

  • Owens Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.71

  • ETI Technical College of Niles

    • Avg. GPA: 2.6

  • University of Northwestern Ohio

    • Avg. GPA: 2.86

  • Notre Dame College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.88

Oklahoma

  • Langston University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.79

  • Oklahoma State University–Oklahoma City

    • Avg. GPA: 2.8

Pennsylvania

  • Harcum College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.5

  • Pittsburgh Technical College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.59

  • Penn State Schuylkill

    • Avg. GPA: 2.93

  • Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

    • Avg. GPA: 2.37

  • Johnson College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.95

  • Laurel Business Institute

    • Avg. GPA: 2.75

  • Manor College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.71

South Carolina

  • Horry-Georgetown Technical College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.5

  • University of South Carolina Upstate

    • Avg. GPA: 2.66

  • Morris College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.57

South Dakota

  • Southeast Technical Institute

    • Avg. GPA: 2.4

  • Western Dakota Technical Institute

    • Avg. GPA: 2.4

  • Mitchell Technical Institute

    • Avg. GPA: 2.93

Tennessee

  • Tennessee State University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.86

  • Nashville State Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.91

  • Volunteer State Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.99

Texas

  • College of the Mainland

    • Avg. GPA: 2.85

  • Grayson College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.87

  • Wiley College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.53

  • Texas Southern University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.83

Vermont

  • Southern Vermont College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.35

  • College of St. Joseph

    • Avg. GPA: 2.8

Virginia

  • Paul D. Camp Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.2

  • Norfolk State University

    • Avg. GPA: 2.9

West Virginia

  • Pierpont Community & Technical College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.82

  • Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.69

  • West Virginia Northern Community College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.92

  • Davis & Elkins College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.9

  • West Virginia Junior College–Bridgeport

    • Avg. GPA: 2.5

  • BridgeValley Community and Technical College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.52

  • Mountwest Community & Technical College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.6

  • Bethany College

    • Avg. GPA: 2.85

Wisconsin

  • Columbia College of Nursing

    • Avg. GPA: 2.9

  • Silver Lake College of the Holy Family

    • Avg. GPA: 2.66

  • University of Wisconsin–Parkside

    • Avg. GPA: 2.97

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 2.5 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 with average enrolled GPAs near 2.5 include Pensacola State College (FL), Monroe County Community College (MI), Niagara County Community College (NY), Harris-Stowe State University (MO), and Horry-Georgetown Technical College (SC). 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. Programs with average enrolled GPAs near 2.7 include Florida Memorial University, Kingsborough Community College (CUNY), and Minnesota State College–Southeast Technical. At 2.7, geographic flexibility matters: programs in states with less-competitive applicant pools may admit at 2.7 where comparable programs in New York or California require 3.0.

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 2.5 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. Some programs — including Tarrant County College in Texas — use entrance exam scores as the primary admissions criterion, making GPA a secondary factor. 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-based admissions systems (used in California and Wisconsin) 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. Documented programs with a 2.0 minimum or near-2.0 average enrolled GPA include Miami Dade College ADN (2.0 minimum), Lone Star College System in Texas (2.0 cumulative), Southern University at Shreveport in Louisiana (2.0 average), and Arapahoe Community College in Colorado (2.0 in nursing coursework). Wisconsin’s 16 technical colleges use a 2.0 system minimum with waitlist-based admission rather than GPA ranking. 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 with documented average enrolled GPAs near 2.5 include Pensacola State College (FL), Monroe County Community College (MI), Niagara County Community College (NY), Harris-Stowe State University (MO), Horry-Georgetown Technical College (SC), Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, and Ohio Valley College of Technology. 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. Documented minimums at the 2.0 level for RN-to-BSN programs include Missouri Southern State University and the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Programs accepting a 2.5 cumulative GPA include Metropolitan State University of Denver, Southeast Missouri State University, University of Evansville, and University of South Alabama. These programs are primarily designed for working nurses and are available fully online, which makes them accessible regardless of geography.

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. Many 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; once your most recent 60 credit hours show a 2.5+ GPA, many ADN programs reconsider applicants under “last 60” recalculation policies.

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.

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

No. The NCLEX-RN is a standardized licensure exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Passing it depends on your nursing program preparation, not your undergraduate GPA. Once you pass the NCLEX and hold a valid state license, employers evaluate your license, clinical experience, references, and interview performance. Most hospital and clinical employers do not request college transcripts for staff RN positions. The GPA matters for getting into the program; once you graduate and pass the NCLEX, you compete on clinical merit.