The Best Colleges With Low GPA Requirements (2023)

The Best Colleges With Low GPA Requirements (1)

Do you have a low GPA? Are you wondering what colleges you can get into despite your low GPA?

Out of all the schools in the country, we've compiled a complete list of colleges with low GPA requirements and ranked the best ones. Even if you have a low GPA, that doesn't mean a great education is out of reach for you. Keep reading to figure out what your options are for higher education.

The Big Picture: What You Can Do With a Low GPA

If you are looking at your low GPA with worry, let us reassure you: you can absolutely get a great education no matter what college you end up going to.

For example, did you know that the vast majority of people profiled in Forbes Magazine's list of "30 under 30" (basically a list of about 450 young entrepreneurs, artists, and inventors who are making a name for themselves in a bunch of different fields) went to their local or state college? And not only that, but most of them actually found their business partners there as well!

Yes, the old line is totally true: it's up to you to make the most of where you are. How? Well, for one, you can research classes and professors by asking your advisors and friends or by looking at online reviews. No matter where they teach, most professors tend to love their subject—after all, they've devoted their whole life to studying it!—so seek them out during office hours. Trust me, they'll love to talk with you!

Now, let us show you the many choices and possibilities open to you, even if you didn't put your best foot forward in high school. Read on to learn about the following:

  • Colleges that have alternative applications, some of which do not even require a transcript
  • University systems in which you can transfer from one campus to another
  • Great state schools with less competitive admission requirements

What's a Low GPA for College?

First, we should clarify what we mean by a low GPA. The definition of a low GPA depends heavily on your personal goals and target colleges, but a general rule of thumb is that any GPA below a 3.0 puts you in the lower range for most colleges in the country.

According to data from TACT research (reported by ThinkImpact), the average high school GPA is 3.0. But remember that many high school students also don't go to college. Thus, the ones who do go to college usually end up having higher GPAs. As you'll see below, the average GPA of lower-tier colleges is in the 2.9-3.3 range.

GPA can also be complicated because of unweighted and weighted GPAs, and how colleges consider the difficulty of your coursework. Even if you have a low GPA, you can compensate for it if you took a difficult course load, as colleges will reward you for your academic ambition.

Here are a few guides you might want to check out as you read this article:

(Video) Universities in USA you can apply to with a low gpa (below 3.0 gpa) | Graduate Students

  • What Is a Good GPA? What's a Bad GPA for College?
  • What's the Average High School GPA?
  • How Do I Apply to College With a Low GPA?

Finally, keep in mind that even with a low GPA, you still have a great shot at getting into college if you do well on the SAT/ACT. If a low GPA doesn't represent your academic potential well, you can show colleges your true ability through tests that are standardized throughout the country.

The Best Colleges With Low GPA Requirements (2)

Maybe your GPA is hiding you behind a mask?

The Best Colleges With Low GPA Requirements (3)

Want to build the best possible college application, to compensate for a lower GPA?

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

The Best Colleges With Low GPA Requirements (4)

Does Your GPA Not Show the Real You?

If you have a low GPA but know that you are capable of so much more, some colleges now give you a totally different way to apply! For instance, the colleges below offer students alternative ways to showcase their skills that don't focus on your GPA:

  • Bennington College: Similar deal here in that there's no need to submit a transcript or test scores. Instead, you'll turn in a self-curated collection of your work that speaks to your creative and intellectual abilities.
  • Bard College: Even though Bard still requires a transcript, Bard has now instituted a college-specific admissions exam for all students. It bypasses the SAT/ACT, but still gives students a chance to show they're qualified to attend Bard. The test has 19 essay questions in four categories: Social Studies; Languages and Literature; Arts; and Science, Mathematics, and Computing. Students will pick three essay questions and write 2,500 word responses to each.

The Best Colleges With Low GPA Requirements (5)

(Video) how to get into top colleges with bad grades or low gpa or low SAT I my true story + mistakes

Just ... a ... little ... longer!

Do You Need More Time to Prove Yourself?

If you just need a little more time to demonstrate what you can do, think about applying to a less competitive campus of a state university system. You can then transfer to a more rigorous campus in the same system.

Below is our list of the least competitive campuses in larger and more competitive state university systems. In this chart, we've included the average GPA of admitted applicants as well as the current acceptance rate for each school. (Pro tip: click the school names to see your chances of getting in with our Admissions Calculator!)

SchoolAverage GPAAdmission Rate
Indiana University Northwest3.1485%
Louisiana State University Shreveport3.3871%
SUNY Cobleskill3.181%
3.4191%
University of Arkansas at Little Rock3.4258%
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs3.3695%
University of Illinois at Chicago3.479%
University of Louisiana at Monroe3.5369%
University of Maine at Presque Isle3.0099%
University of Maryland Eastern Shore3.0762%
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth3.3792%
University of Michigan at Flint3.5474%
University of Minnesota Crookston3.2848%
University of Missouri Kansas City3.5476%
University of Nebraska at Kearney 3.2473%
University of North Carolina at Pembroke3.4492%
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford3.3176%
University of South Carolina Beaufort3.8583%
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga3.5186%
University of Texas at Tyler3.4294%
University of Washington Tacoma3.4183%
University of Wisconsin Parkside3.3189%

The Best Colleges With Low GPA Requirements (6)

A name-brand school = a little bling for your resume.

Do You Want a Name-Brand School?

If you would still like to go to a high-profile school but don't see yourself transferring, state colleges are your best bet. Check out these accessible state college systems with fairly low GPA requirements on all of their campuses:

  • California State University
  • Connecticut State University
  • University of Hawaii
  • Massachusetts State University system
  • University of Nevada
  • The CUNY system in NYC
  • The Oregon University system (not to be confused with the University of Oregon)
  • University of Rhode Island

The Best Colleges With Low GPA Requirements (7)

I'll just point my compass at a random point on this globe and go to college there!

List of Colleges With Low GPAs by State

If you have an idea of where you want to end up geographically speaking, then you're in luck. Here is a comprehensive list of colleges sorted by state. For each state, the schools are listed alphabetically and are accompanied by their average GPAs for admitted applicants.

Alabama

Alabama State University2.95
Oakwood University2.99
Stillman College2.90
Talladega College2.40
Tuskegee University3.10

Alaska

University of Alaska Fairbanks3.28
University of Alaska Southeast2.94

Arizona

Prescott College3.19
University of Advancing Technology2.50

Arkansas

Arkansas Baptist College2.60
Arkansas Tech University3.37
Henderson State University3.23
Philander Smith College3.04
Southern Arkansas University3.46
University of Arkansas at Fort Smith3.39
University of Arkansas at Little Rock3.42
University of Arkansas at Monticello2.71
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff2.90
Williams Baptist University3.20

California

Biola University3.61
California College of the Arts3.34
California State University Bakersfield3.30
California State University Channel Islands3.22
California State University Dominguez Hills3.16
California State University East Bay3.20
California State University Los Angeles3.31
California State University San Bernardino3.41
California State University Stanislaus3.47
Columbia College Hollywood3.20
Hope International University3.26
California Polytechnic University Humboldt3.33
La Sierra University3.54
Laguna College of Art + Design3.69
Life Pacific University2.91
Lincoln University2.60
Menlo College3.20
Northwestern Polytechnic University2.72
Otis College of Art and Design3.17
San Diego Christian College3.26
San Francisco Art Institute3.05
San Francisco State University3.31
Sonoma State University3.40
Vanguard University of Southern California3.31
William Jessup University3.33
Woodbury University3.33

Colorado

Adams State College3.20
Colorado Mesa University3.28
Colorado State University - Pueblo3.30
Fort Lewis College3.30
Johnson & Wales University3.19
Metropolitan State University of Denver3.03
Naropa University3.42

Connecticut

Albertus Magnus College3.11
Central Connecticut State University3.20
Eastern Connecticut State University3.40
Post University2.68
Southern Connecticut State University3.20
University of Bridgeport3.04
University of Hartford3.26
Western Connecticut State University3.38

Delaware

Delaware State University3.09
Goldey-Beacom College2.90
Wesley College2.71

District of Columbia

Gallaudet University3.30
Howard University3.66

Florida

Beacon College3.20
Bethune-Cookman University3.30
Carlos Albizu University - Miami2.80
Edward Waters University2.64
Florida Memorial University2.70
Jacksonville University3.61
Johnson University Florida3.09
Lynn University3.30
Ringling College of Art and Design3.48
Rollins College3.30
Trinity College of Florida3.06
Warner University3.22
Webber International University2.98

Georgia

Albany State University2.77
Beulah Heights University3.00
Brewton-Parker College3.00
Clark Atlanta University3.28
Clayton State University3.00
Columbus State University3.07
Dalton State College3.10
Fort Valley State University2.87
Georgia Gwinnett College2.88
Georgia Southwestern State University3.17
Life University3.11
Luther Rice College & Seminary2.55
Morehouse College3.20
Paine College2.58
Point University3.41
Reinhardt University3.25
Savannah State University2.77
Shorter University3.25
University of West Georgia3.31
Valdosta State University3.23
University of West Georgia3.31

Hawaii

University of Hawaii - West Oahu3.41

Idaho

Idaho State University3.41
Lewis-Clark State College3.23

Illinois

Augustana College3.30
Blessing-Reiman College of Nursing3.29
Chicago State University3.18
Columbia College Chicago3.41
Concordia University Chicago3.18
East-West University2.67
Eastern Illinois University3.39
Eureka College3.22
Kendall College2.93
Monmouth College3.49
National Louis University2.80
North Park University3.14
Northeastern Illinois University3.10
Northern Illinois University3.30
Principia College3.34
Quincy University3.47
Rockford University3.25
Southern Illinois University Carbondale3.24
Trinity Christian College3.48
University of Illinois at Chicago3.40
VanderCook College of Music3.10
Western Illinois University3.45

Indiana

Calumet College of St. Joseph2.75
Holy Cross College3.20
Indiana State University3.29
Indiana University East3.41
Indiana University Kokomo3.29
Indiana University Northwest3.41
Indiana University—Purdue University Fort Wayne3.52
Indiana University South Bend3.24
Indiana University Southeast3.31
Oakland City University3.29
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College3.30
University of Southern Indiana3.45
University of St. Francis3.47

Iowa

Briar Cliff University3.21
Graceland University3.22
Grand View University3.33
Iowa Wesleyan College3.02
St. Ambrose University3.39
University of Dubuque3.24
Upper Iowa University3.14
Waldorf College3.07
William Penn University3.00

Kansas

Bethany College3.16
Central Christian College of Kansas3.24
McPherson College3.33
MidAmerica Nazarene University3.29
Ottawa University3.12
Pittsburg State University3.40
Southwestern College3.23
Sterling College3.46
Tabor College3.23
University of St. Mary3.36

Kentucky

Brescia University3.02
Campbellsville University3.36
Eastern Kentucky University3.39
Kentucky Christian University3.16
Kentucky State University2.72
Kentucky Wesleyan College3.30
Lindsey Wilson College3.41
Midway University3.39
Union College3.15
University of Pikeville3.42
Western Kentucky University3.42

Louisiana

Dillard University3.31
Grambling State University3.01
Louisiana College3.35
Louisiana State University Shreveport3.38
Nicholls State University3.3o
Northwestern State University of Louisiana3.30
Saint Joseph Seminary College3.25
Southeastern Louisiana University3.39
Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College3.10
Southern University at New Orleans2.40
University of Louisiana at Lafayette3.34
University of New Orleans3.21

Maine

Husson University3.40
St. Joseph's College of Maine3.00
Unity College3.30
University of Maine3.42
University of Maine at Farmington3.15
University of Maine at Presque Isle3.00
University of Southern Maine3.33

Maryland

Bowie State University3.12
Coppin State University2.62
Frostburg State University3.50
Goucher College3.23
Hood College3.41
Morgan State University3.10
Mount St. Mary's University3.36
Stevenson University3.10
University of Baltimore2.89
University of Maryland Eastern Shore3.07

Massachusetts

American International College2.91
Anna Maria College2.94
Assumption University3.45
Berklee College of Music3.00
Bridgewater State University3.21
Curry College3.01
Elms College3.42
Fitchburg State University3.29
Framingham State University3.07
Lasell University3.12
Lesley University3.31
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts3.20
Massachusetts Maritime Academy3.25
Merrimack College3.30
Montserrat College of Art2.93
Nichols College2.90
Regis College3.38
Salem State University3.28
Springfield College3.56
Suffolk University3.33
University of Massachusetts Boston3.43
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth3.27
Wentworth Institute of Technology3.39
Westfield State University3.30
Worcester State University3.30

Michigan

Adrian College3.22
College for Creative Studies3.19
Concordia University Ann Arbor3.19
Davenport University3.30
Eastern Michigan University3.37
Finlandia University2.89
Kuyper College2.98
Lake Superior State University3.16
Madonna University3.35
Northern Michigan University3.33
Siena Heights University3.32

Minnesota

Augsburg College3.17
Bemidji State University3.26
Bethany Lutheran College3.51
Concordia University Saint Paul3.14
Crown College3.22
Minneapolis College of Art and Design3.29
Minnesota State University Mankato3.37
Oak Hills Christian College3.07
St. Cloud State University3.26
University of Minnesota, Crookston3.28

Mississippi

Alcorn State University3.20
Blue Mountain College3.52
Delta State University3.37
Jackson State University3.10
Mississippi Valley State University2.90
Rust College2.66
Tougaloo College2.80
University of Southern Mississippi3.50

Missouri

Avila University3.24
Culver-Stockton College3.37
Harris-Stowe State University3.04
Lincoln University2.75
Lindenwood University3.42
Missouri Baptist University3.40
Missouri Southern State University3.50
Missouri Valley College3.04
Missouri Western State University3.25
Park University3.20
St. Louis Christian College2.52
Stephens College3.27

Montana

Montana State University—Billings3.30
Montana State University—Northern2.79
University of Great Falls3.20
University of Montana Western3.20

The Best Colleges With Low GPA Requirements (8)

Want to build the best possible college application with a low GPA?

(Video) HOW I GOT INTO UCLA & Every University I Applied To | 2.6 GPA *transcripts included*

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

The Best Colleges With Low GPA Requirements (9)

Nebraska

Midland University3.26
Nebraska Christian College2.91
Union College3.44
Wayne State College3.36

Nevada

Sierra Nevada College3.29

New Hampshire

Colby-Sawyer College3.30
Franklin Pierce University2.97
Keen State College2.98
New England College2.59
Plymouth State University3.08
Saint Anselm College3.39
Southern New Hampshire University3.18

New Jersey

Bloomfield College2.69
Caldwell University3.30
Saint Elizabeth University2.60
Fairleigh Dickinson University3.31
Felician University3.05
Kean University3.20
Monmouth University3.57
Montclair State University3.30
New Jersey City University3.24
Saint Peter's University3.31
William Paterson University3.92

New Mexico

Eastern New Mexico University3.23
New Mexico Highlands University3.30
University of the Southwest2.63
Western New Mexico University2.50

New York

Alfred University3.40
Brooklyn College (CUNY)3.42
Cazenovia College3.29
City College of New York3.20
College of Mount St. Vincent3.09
Culinary Institute of America3.26
CUNY College of Staten Island3.00
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice3.24
Davis College3.18
Dominican College3.09
Elmira College3.22
Farmingdale State College3.26
Hilbert College3.20
Houghton College3.25
Iona College3.40
LIM College2.90
Long Island University Brooklyn3.20
Long Island University Post3.36
Manhattanville College3.19
Marist College3.56
Mercy College3.19
Metropolitan College of New York2.10
Molloy College3.20
Mount St. Mary College3.30
New York Institute of Technology3.50
Nyack College2.76
Paul Smith's College2.80
School of Visual Arts3.37
St. Joseph's College—Brooklyn Campus3.28
St. Thomas Aquinas College3.30
SUNY Albany3.30
SUNY College at Brockport2.78
SUNY Buffalo State College2.84
SUNY Cobleskill3.10
SUNY College at Old Westbury3.10
SUNY Fredonia3.30
SUNY Maritime College3.40
SUNY Plattsburgh3.11
SUNY at Purchase (Purchase College)3.11
Touro College3.17
Utica College3.30
Wells College3.25

North Carolina

Barton College3.25
Brevard College3.07
Chowan University2.89
Elizabeth City State University3.16
Guilford College3.14
High Point University3.40
Lenoir-Rhyne University3.41
Livingstone College2.32
Mars Hill University3.50
Methodist University3.58
Mid-Atlantic Christian University3.09
Montreat College3.07
Mount Olive College2.85
North Carolina Central University3.27
North Carolina Wesleyan College3.20
Pfeiffer University3.18
Piedmont International University3.00
Shaw University2.60
St. Andrews University3.13
Winston-Salem State University3.01

North Dakota

Dickinson State University3.28
Mayville State University3.14
Minot State University3.42
Valley City State University3.31

Ohio

Art Academy of Cincinnati3.10
Bluffton University3.26
Central State University2.80
Cleveland Institute of Art3.48
Defiance College3.12
Heidelberg University3.33
Lake Erie College3.09
Lourdes University3.26
Malone University3.49
Muskingum University3.42
Notre Dame College2.88
Ohio Dominican University3.32
Shawnee State University3.30
Tiffin University3.11
University of Rio Grande3.06
Ursuline College3.46
Wilmington College3.47
Wright State University3.41

Oklahoma

Cameron University3.31
Langston University2.79
Northwestern Oklahoma State University3.42
Rogers State University3.40
Southern Nazarene University3.30
Southwestern Christian University3.22

Oregon

Multnomah University3.25
Southern Oregon University3.34
Warner Pacific College3.25
Western Oregon University3.36

Pennsylvania

Albright College3.05
Alvernia University3.41
Baptist Bible College and Seminary3.31
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania3.45
Cabrini College3.14
Cairn University3.31
California University of Pennsylvania3.31
Chestnut Hill College3.12
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania2.37
Delaware Valley College3.46
DeSales University3.39
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania3.24
Edinboro University3.56
Gwynedd-Mercy College3.34
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology3.42
Holy Family University3.13
Immaculata University3.50
Keystone College2.92
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania3.31
La Roche College3.20
Lancaster Bible College3.10
Lincoln University3.06
Lock Haven University3.41
Millersville University of Pennsylvania3.34
Moore College of Art and Design3.24
Muhlenberg College3.44
Neumann University3.23
Penn State Abington3.15
Penn State Altoona3.13
Penn State Beaver3.18
Penn State Berks3.10
Penn State Brandywine3.03
Penn State DuBois3.17
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College3.31
Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus3.17
Penn State Greater Allegheny3.17
Penn State Harrisburg3.22
Penn State Hazleton3.16
Penn State Lehigh Valley3.16
Penn State Mont Alto3.24
Penn State New Kensington3.20
Penn State Schuylkill2.93
Penn State Shenango3.13
Penn State Worthington Scranton3.10
Penn State York3.13
Pennsylvania College of Art & Design3.13
Pennsylvania College of Technology3.05
Rosemont College3.20
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania3.23
Thiel College3.10
University of Pittsburgh Bradford3.28
Ursinus College3.53
Valley Forge Military College2.00

Puerto Rico

Bayamon Central University3.22
Caribbean University2.64
EDP University of Puerto Rico2.95
Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Aguadilla Campus3.24
Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Barranquitas Campus3.12
Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Bayamon Campus3.26
Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Fajardo Campus2.00
Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Guayama Campus3.08
Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Ponce Campus2.75
Inter American University of Puerto Rico - San German Campus3.28
Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico2.00
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico3.14
Universidad del Este2.81
Universidad del Turabo2.93
Universidad Metropolitana2.84
University of Puerto Rico at Utuado2.50
University of the Sacred Heart2.99

Rhode Island

Bryant University3.43
Roger Williams University3.43

South Carolina

Claflin University3.28
Limestone College3.42
Morris College2.57
South Carolina State University3.17
University of South Carolina Upstate2.23
Voorhees College2.00

South Dakota

Black Hills State University3.14
Dakota State University3.33
National American University - Rapid City3.10
Northern State University3.30
Presentation College3.37

Tennessee

Austin Peay State University3.33
Bethel University3.46
Cumberland University3.30
Fisk University3.10
Lane College2.57
LeMoyne-Owen College2.50
Tennessee State University3.22
Welch College3.34

Texas

Concordia University Texas3.30
Criswell College3.16
Dallas Christian College3.06
Howard Payne University3.30
Jarvis Christian College2.77
Lamar University3.40
Paul Quinn College2.60
Prairie View A&M University3.30
Southwestern Adventist University3.30
Sul Ross State University3.32
Texas A&M University—Corpus Christi3.26
Texas College2.90
Texas Southern University3.00
Texas Woman's University3.24
University of Texas at El Paso3.30
Wayland Baptist University3.14
Wiley College2.53

Utah

Dixie State College3.40
Neumont College of Computer Science3.10
Weber State University3.36

Vermont

Castleton State College3.00
Northern Vermont University—Johnson3.32
Marlboro College3.09
Norwich University3.39
Southern Vermont College2.35
Sterling College3.10
Vermont Technical College3.19

Virginia

Averett University3.07
Bluefield College3.31
Ferrum College3.14
Marymount University3.38
Norfolk State University2.90
Old Dominion University3.30
Radford University3.31
Virginia State University2.85
Virginia Union University2.71
Virginia Wesleyan College3.39

U.S. Virgin Islands

University of the Virgin Islands3.10

Washington

Central Washington University3.08
Eastern Washington University3.29
Evergreen State College3.12
University of Washington Tacoma3.41

West Virginia

Alderson-Broaddus University3.20
Bethany College3.16
Bluefield State College3.41
Davis and Elkins College3.35
Fairmont State University3.29
Glenville State College3.30
West Virginia State University3.24

Wisconsin

Alverno College3.27
Beloit College3.31
Cardinal Stritch University3.16
Carthage College3.36
Lakeland University3.00
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design3.08
Mount Mary University3.13
Northland College3.30
University of Wisconsin—Green Bay3.16
University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee3.16
University of Wisconsin—Oshkosh3.24
University of Wisconsin—Parkside3.31
University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point3.27
University of Wisconsin—Stout3.35
University of Wisconsin—Superior3.32
University of Wisconsin—Whitewater3.27

The Final Word: Colleges With Low GPA Requirements

As you can see, a low GPA—usually one around 3.0 or lower—doesn't have to disqualify you from some great colleges. In fact, many schools with low GPA requirements are popular, well-known state universities. By contrast, if you're a fan of smaller colleges, there are plenty of those, too, you can consider.

In addition, no matter where you are in the US, more than likely there's a school with low GPA requirements in or near the area you live (except Wyoming—sorry, guys!). Some states in the list above have far more schools than others; this is likely a result of population differences.

Finally, remember that even if your GPA is lower than what your school expects, you can increase your chance of acceptance by getting a high SAT/ACT score and submitting a great application!

What's Next?

What's a good GPA? A bad GPA? Here's a complete guide.

Want to see colleges that are even easier to get into? Take a look at our list of schools that admit almost everyone.

You know your GPA, but do you know your target test scores? Figure out what your target SAT or target ACT score should be for the colleges you're interested in.

Ready to learn more about the application process? Check out this handy infographic that lays it all out in detail.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2022 (Peterson's LLC, All rights reserved) as well as additional publicly available sources.

(Video) 40 US Universities that Accept Low GPA from International Students | Study in the US with Low GPA

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The Best Colleges With Low GPA Requirements (10)

Dr. Anna Wulick

About the Author

Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.

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FAQs

What is the lowest GPA that colleges will accept? ›

Unofficially, 2.0 is the lowest GPA accepted into a standard college, so while there's a chance that college admission is possible, it's not likely at more than a few institutions.

What colleges accept a 1.5 GPA? ›

Sadly, a 1.5GPA entails that there are no colleges that you can use as safety schools, so you will be taking a risk no matter where you apply. The only way to increase your chances is by raising your GPA. Go through the next section and search any school of your preference to see what your odds of acceptance are.

How I got into top colleges with a low GPA? ›

Top Tips on How to Get into College with a Low GPA
  • Explain the Circumstances Behind Your Low GPA. ...
  • Improve Your SAT/ACT Scores. ...
  • Write an Exemplary Essay. ...
  • Get Strong Recommendation Letters. ...
  • Showcase Your Non-academic Skills and Talents. ...
  • Consider an Online College. ...
  • Join a Community College.

Can a 2.5 GPA get me into college? ›

A 2.5 GPA corresponds to a C average, making it a common starting GPA for many colleges and universities, even some more competitive institutions — though acceptance at that level would be a long shot.

Is a 1.0 GPA bad in college? ›

Is a 1.0 GPA Good? Considering the US national average GPA is a 3.0, a 1.0 is far below average. Generally, a 1.0 is considered a dismal GPA. Raising a 1.0 GPA to an acceptable number is extremely difficult, but possible with diligence and determination.

What's the lowest GPA Harvard accepted? ›

You should also have a 4.18 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Harvard, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.

Is a 1.2 GPA passing? ›

Is a 1.2 GPA Good? A 1.2 GPA is much lower than the national average of a 3.0 GPA. A GPA this low implies the student is unlikely to be ready for higher education. If you have several semesters left before your scheduled graduation, there may be time to recover your GPA.

Is a 2.0 GPA passing? ›

Maintaining a minimum 2.0 GPA is often necessary to participate in sports, extracurricular activities, and selected classes. A 2.0 GPA meets high school graduation requirements but most colleges—and some trade schools—expect a high school GPA of at least 3.0 (B) or better.

What GPA is C? ›

To convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale:
Letter GradePercent Grade4.0 Scale
B83-863.0
B-80-822.7
C+77-792.3
C73-762.0
8 more rows
Feb 23, 2023

How do you fix a bad GPA? ›

Five Ways to Beat the Low GPA Blues
  1. Don't Mention Your GPA. There's no law that says you have to include your GPA on your resume or talk about it during interviews. ...
  2. Play up Your Major GPA. ...
  3. Calculate Your GPA for a Selected Time Span. ...
  4. Retake Troublesome Courses. ...
  5. Market Yourself in Person.

What is the lowest GPA accepted to Ivy League? ›

None of the Ivy League schools have a minimum GPA requirement for applications, which means anyone can apply regardless of their GPA.

What is the lowest GPA ever accepted Ivy League? ›

We've always stated that the lowest GPA student we've ever helped get into an Ivy League school had a 3.3 unweighted GPA.

What is a 1.88 GPA? ›

The national average for a GPA is around 3.0 and a 1.8 GPA puts you below that average. A 1.8 GPA means that you've gotten only C-s and D+s in your high school classes so far. Since this GPA is significantly below a 2.0, it will make things very difficult for you in the college application process.

What happens if your GPA drops below a 2.0 in college? ›

When a student's cumulative GPA drops below 2.0, the institution can put them on academic probation. Academic probation means students risk losing financial aid and even being dropped from college. Low grades are a warning sign that students need to make changes quickly to continue their education.

What college accepts a 2.7 GPA? ›

What colleges can I get into with a 2.7 GPA? Take a look at all of your options for a 2.7 GPA, including National Louis University, the University of South Carolina, and the University of Arkansas at Monticello, all of which accept students with an average GPA of 2.7.

Who has a 0.0 GPA? ›

An F letter grade is equivalent to a 0.0 GPA, or Grade Point Average, on a 4.0 GPA scale, and a percentage grade of 65 or below.

Has anyone ever had a 0 GPA? ›

Everyone has his or her own story and a reason behind the academic failure. I accept whatever the reason is, the responsibility is solely on me. I went to a top 50 univ and got dismissed for having a 0.0 gpa in the freshman year, with about 30 attempted credits.

Can you go to college with a 0.5 GPA? ›

Typically, colleges will not accept a GPA below 2.0 to a four-year program, but there are options for students with a GPA lower than this to succeed in being accepted.

What was the highest GPA ever? ›

A GPA higher than 5.0 is rare, but school point systems are occasionally structured so that students taking advanced classes can rack up bonus points. One student even managed to land a stunning 10.03 GPA by taking 17 advanced classes at a school that awarded bonus points.

What is the lowest good GPA? ›

Typically a 3.5-4.0 GPA, which means an A- or A average, is expected for admission to top colleges. However, you may be able to gain acceptance to a less selective school with a GPA that's as low as a 2.0 or C- average.

What is the lowest GPA to get into NYU? ›

An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better is required for admission. Letters of Recommendation, a Statement of Purpose, and a professional resume are also required from all applicants seeking admission to any graduate program.

How much will an F drop my GPA? ›

The failing grade will NOT calculate in your GPA, but it will still show on your transcript. On your transcript, an "E" will show to the right of your failing grade to mark the course as "Excluded". On your transcript, an "I" will show to the right of the second time you took the class, marking it as "Included".

How many A's do I need to raise my GPA? ›

Only grades above a C can raise your GPA to a 2.0- Every D requires a B and every F requires an A to achieve a 2.0 overall.

What is a barely passing GPA? ›

3.5-2 which corresponds to good but not excellent work; 2-1 where one can barely pass their classes without enough effort on their part; 1-. 75 where one has difficulty passing their classes even when they try hard.

What is a 1.0 grade equivalent to in college? ›

Grade point scale (1.00–5.00)
Grade Point EquivalenceEquivalenceDescription
1.0096–100%Excellent
1.2594–95%Very Good
1.5091–93%Very Good
1.7588–90%Good
11 more rows

Can you improve your GPA in senior year? ›

Yes! During any semester students have the opportunity to raise their GPA by earning top grades or grades that are increase over previous semesters.

What GPA is all B's? ›

B Letter Grade is a 3.0 GPA or 83–86% – GPA Calculator.

What GPA is straight B's? ›

If you have a 3.0, you have straight Bs, and so on and so forth. The unweighted GPA scale also means that each class is scored the same, regardless of its difficulty.

Is a 2.0 GPA good in university? ›

At minimum, experts say, students must generally meet a GPA standard of 2.0, or a C average, on a 4.0 scale to graduate and remain eligible for federal financial aid. Institutional scholarships and program enrollment at many colleges often hinge on academic achievement above a C average.

Can you go back to college to improve your GPA? ›

If you do choose to retake a course at a different college, keep in mind that a better grade will not actually change your GPA, but your desired graduate program may be willing to overlook your previous attempt and count the improved grade instead.

How hard is it to raise your GPA? ›

It can be difficult to improve your GPA quickly, especially if you're in the latter half of high school already. With your previous grades working against you, you'll have to put in even more effort to overcome lower averages.

Can you recover from a low GPA? ›

Of course, you can recover from this. You've already recovered as far as GPA is concerned or moving forward, taking more classes and doing well in them since you've learned how you need to study. That's the most important part of the situation.

What is the lowest GPA to get into Yale? ›

You should also have a 4.14 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Yale, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.

What is the easiest Ivy League to get into? ›

1. What's the easiest Ivy League school to get into? While all Ivy League schools have a low acceptance rate, Cornell University has the highest acceptance rate among them. Cornell's acceptance rate is 11%, but try not to get too hung up on the numbers.

Can I still get into Harvard with a low GPA? ›

In general, students with a 3.0 GPA still have a chance to get into Harvard, provided that the application can demonstrate that they are what the university is looking for exactly. In some instances, hooks, such as being an athlete, allow applicants to get admitted into Harvard, even with a low GPA.

Can I get into Harvard with low GPA? ›

What GPA do I need to get into Harvard? To be considered for admission to Harvard, you must earn top grades in high school. The Harvard Crimson reports that the average reported GPA of entering freshmen in the class of 2022 was 3.90 on a 4.0 unweighted scale.

Is Harvard the easiest Ivy? ›

In 2021, Columbia edged past Princeton and Harvard to become the most competitive Ivy. However, with a current acceptance rate of 3.2%, Harvard is once again the hardest Ivy League school to get into.

What is a 9.0 GPA? ›

GPA Conversion – 12.0 to 4.0 GPA Scale
12.0 Point GPA4.0 Point GPAPercentage Grade
113.985-89
103.780-84
93.377-79
83.073-76
9 more rows

Is 2.90 a bad GPA? ›

A 2.9 GPA, or Grade Point Average, is equivalent to a B- letter grade on a 4.0 GPA scale. This means is equivalent to a 80-82%. The national average GPA is 3.0 which means a 2.9 is a solid GPA, just a tiny bit below average and with a few quick tips can easily be improved to stand out from the crowd.

Is 9.0 A good GPA? ›

A student that scores S in all his courses over 4 years ends up with the perfect CGPA of 10.0. A 9-10 CGPA indicates mostly excellent track record and so on.

What GPA is considered failing in college? ›

You'll usually need to receive a letter grade between A and D to pass a class, often the numerical equivalent of 65 percent or higher. Receiving an F—which stands for “fail”—indicates that you did not pass the class. The cutoff to receive an F is usually 64 percent.

Can you be successful with a low GPA in college? ›

A low GPA does not put you at a big disadvantage for getting a job. Many employers do not ask or care about GPAs; the degree is all that matters to them. If they care, it will only be at the beginning of your career (or even just your first job) since employers care about skills and experience.

How do you explain low GPA to colleges? ›

Do explain when a drop in grades is because of extreme hardship: You shouldn't hesitate to mention if your grades are lower because of extraordinary circumstances, such as needing to work part time because a parent lost a job, experts say.

What schools will accept a 2.0 GPA? ›

List of colleges that accept 2.0 GPA
  • South Suburban College. ...
  • Southern University at New Orleans. ...
  • Richland Community College. ...
  • Talladega College. ...
  • Louisburg College. ...
  • Metropolitan College of New York. ...
  • Bossier Parish Community College. ...
  • Virginia University of Lynchburg.

Is a 2.3 GPA good in university? ›

Is a 2.3 GPA Good? In a by-the-textbook definition, a 2.3 GPA is considered “below-average.” Even though it's considered a passing grade, a 2.3 GPA, or a C-grade average, isn't ideal for getting accepted into college.

What college accepts 2.1 GPA? ›

Options are limited, but there are some colleges that accept students with an average GPA of 2.1. You can include the Metropolitan College of New York in target institutions to apply to, as well as Voorhees College as a likely institution and Southern Vermont University as a reach institution!

Will colleges accept a 1.6 GPA? ›

The answer is No. The national average for a GPA is around 3.0 and a 1.6 GPA puts you below that average. A 1.6 GPA means that you've gotten only C-s and D+s in your high school classes so far. Since this GPA is significantly below a 2.0, it will make things very difficult for you in the college application process.

Will colleges accept a 3.0 GPA? ›

A 3.0 GPA indicates a grade average of “B” and makes you eligible to apply to a wide range of schools, so yes! A 3.0 GPA is generally considered “good.”

Can you get into college with a 2.3 GPA? ›

With a 2.3 GPA, admission in 4-year colleges or universities will be difficult. However, you can take a closer look at institutions such as Livingstone College, Southern Vermont College, and Southern University at New Orleans, all three of which accept students with an average GPA of 2.3-2.4.

Can I get into college with a 1.9 GPA? ›

With a GPA that's below a 2.0, you may have trouble getting into college. There are only a couple schools where a 1.9 GPA gives you a good chance of acceptance. 0.38% of schools have an average GPA below a 1.9. You can apply to colleges and have a good shot at getting admitted.

What is a 1.1 GPA? ›

A 1.1 Grade Point Average (GPA) from a possible 4.0 total GPA is equal to a 'D' letter grade. GPAs are determined by a combination of course credits, individual grades and semester hours spent in the class.

How can I raise my GPA? ›

Here are some tips on how to improve your GPA.
  1. Attend Classes Regularly. As obvious as this sounds, it's a very important step. ...
  2. Avoid Classes You Don't Need. ...
  3. Reach Out to Your Instructors. ...
  4. Turn in Assignments on Time. ...
  5. Join a Study Group. ...
  6. Do a Weekly Study Review. ...
  7. Set Goals for Yourself. ...
  8. Make Use of Educational Resources.
Nov 14, 2021

Can a 1.3 GPA get into college? ›

If you're in high school and plan to attend college you will need to raise your 1.3 GPA by several points. More accredited institutions require a 3.0 GPA on your application. Don't lose heart though, there are many ways to raise your GPA and it's possible with hard work and dedication.

Is a GPA of 2.59 good? ›

A 2.5 GPA is half a point under the national average of a 3.0 GPA. While not totally damning, it is still considered unsatisfactory. Achieving a 3.0 or higher will be easier than you think, if you're willing to work hard.

Is A GPA of 2.8 good? ›

Because a 2.8 is two tenths of a point from a B average, a 2.8 GPA indicates several grades that are of above average quality and that your performance on homework and exams was up to par.

What GPA is all C's? ›

Common examples of grade conversion are: A+ (97–100), A (93–96), A- (90–92), B+ (87–89), B (83–86), B- (80–82), C+ (77–79), C (73–76), C- (70–72), D+ (67–69), D (65–66), D- (below 65).

Can you pass college with a 2.0 GPA? ›

Maintaining a minimum 2.0 GPA is often necessary to participate in sports, extracurricular activities, and selected classes. A 2.0 GPA meets high school graduation requirements but most colleges—and some trade schools—expect a high school GPA of at least 3.0 (B) or better.

What is the lowest D1 GPA requirements? ›

The minimum GPA you can have to be considered an early academic qualifier for D1 is a 2.3 GPA and a 980 SAT combined score or 75 ACT sum score. You will need a 2.2 GPA and a 900 SAT combined score or 68 ACT sum score to be eligible at the Division II level.

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