Colleges That Accept Low GPAs

Alabama State University (ASU) admission policy focuses on the student's ability to compete over their race, sex, origin, or religion. The college prioritizes applicants with background in fields like mathematics, science, natural sciences, and foreign languages. However, there are exception for students with interest in other fields.

Additionally, ASU also gives opportunity to students with lower GPA scores. However, they should compensate the low GPA with a higher ACT or SAT. For instance, a student with GPA of 2.0-2.49 can be admitted to the college as long as they have an ACT score of 18 or higher, or an SAT rating of at least 950.

• Min. GPA Required: 2.0
• Acceptance Rate: 97%
• No. of Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,296
• Location: Montgomery, Alabama

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) generally accepts students with high school GPA of 2.9 or higher. Moreover, UAPB also requires an average SAT score of 980 or ACT score of 18 or more.

The college accepts applications from students with lower GPAs as long as they have compensated it with a higher SAT or ACT point. Try to secure above 980 points on SAT and above 18 points on ACT to increase your chances of admission in the university.

• Min. GPA Required: 2.9
• Acceptance Rate: 69.3%
  
• No. of Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,117
• Location: Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Sorrounded by the mesmerizing San Bernardino Mountains, the California State University-San Bernardino (CSUSB) is committed to producing the future leaders of our economy and workforce. The university accepts admission from students with a GPA score of 2.5 or higher. However, this requirement is only applicable for California residents. Non-residents should score at least 3 to get their their application accepted.

CSUSB prioritizes high school background in subjects like history, social science, English, math, and laborator science. This college is admission friendly to residents of the Golden State; however, non-residents with a GPA score lower than 3 should look for alternatives.

• Min. GPA Required: 2.5
• Acceptance Rate: 91.1%
• No. of Undergraduate Enrollment: 18,510
• Location: San Bernardino, California

Founded in 1965, the Colorado Mountain College serves over 20 thousand students every year. The college takes pride in accepting applications from students of all backgrounds and abilities, regardless of their test scores or GPAs. However, you may need to have at least a 2.0 GPA score.

While low scores are accepted in Arts and other liberal fields, you'll need a higher rating for admission in technical fields like nursing. According to the 2023-2024 admission guidelines, RN-BSN applicants should have at least 2.5 or higher high school GPAs.

• Min. GPA Required: 2.0
• Acceptance Rate: 100%
• No. of Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,315
• Location: Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Winner of the 2017 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon for Schools Postsecondary Sustainability Award, the Edward Waters University (EWU) has been home to several notable alumni, including former Olympic snowboarder, politician Alvin Bragg, TV personality Rahman Johnson, and more.

Individuals with a 2.0 GPA can submit applications to this university; however, preference is given to those with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Meanwhile, the applicants will also have to submit a composite score of 800 in the SAT or 14 in the ACT.

EWU also focuses on students who studied subjects like English, Mathematics, Social Science, and Natural Science in high school. While applicants with GPAs between 2.0 and 2.49 have a lower chance of getting accepted into the college, they are likely to be considered for the Charles H. Pearce Institute (Summer term) provisional admissions.

• Min. GPA Required: 2.5
• Acceptance Rate: 80%
• No. of Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,175
• Location: Jacksonville, Florida

Georgia-based Albany State University (ASU) offers a wide range of coursesc in fields like Accounting, Biology, Computer Science, Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, Mass Communication, and many more. Founded in 1903, the university is dedicated to quality education to students of all race, creed, religion, nationality, and ethnic background.

For Arts and other liberal fields, applicants can easily get admissions with a GPA score of 2.0 or higher, and SAT score of 480 in Evidence-Based Reading & Writing and 440 in Maths. Alternatively, children with an ACT score of 17 in English and Math is also enough to be considered for admissions. Meanwhile, technical courses like Computer Science, Nursing, and Forensic Science will require higher GPA scores.

• Min. GPA Required: 2.0
• Acceptance Rate: 86%
• No. of Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,070
• Location: Albany, Georgia

Established in 1965, the William Rainey Harper College is named after the first President of University of Chicago, Dr. William Rainey Harper. With over 29,000 students, this college is known for offering courses in a wide range of fields, including Business, Engineering, Mathematics, Arts, Public Service, Physical Science, and more.

Although Harper College hasn't set a minimum GPA score for students to apply, it prioritizes applicants with 2.94 GPA or more. Also, technical fields like nursing and engineering require higher GPA/SAT score for the student to get accepted.

• Min. GPA Required: 2.94
• Acceptance Rate: 100%
• No. of Undergraduate Enrollment: 12,434
• Location: Palatine, Illinois

Established in 1801, Vincennes University (VU) is dedicated to serving high-quality education through strategic partnerships with students and their active engagement. VU focuses on the idea of "different but equal" with its DEI program.

In its history of over two centuries, VU has seen its fair share of celebrity graduates, including singer-songwriter John Mellencamp, former basketball star Shawn Marion, politician John R. Gregg, and more. The college has also partnered with several employers to give their graduates an easy way to join the workforce.

• Min. GPA Required: 2.0
• Acceptance Rate: 85%
• No. of Undergraduate Enrollment: 16,389
• Location: Vincennes, Indiana

Kentucky State University (KSU) is known for putting its students first. This historical college was previously called Kentucky Normal and Industrial Institute for Colored Persons; it was officially changed to the college's current name in 1952.

As of 2024, KSU offers six postgraduate programs, 55 undergraduate programs, and four associate degress through its five colleges. The colleges operating under KSU are the College of Agriculture, Food Science, and Sustainable Systems, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Professional Studies, and College of Business and Computer Science.

• Min. GPA Required: 2.5
• Acceptance Rate: 91.5%
• No. of Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,689
• Location: Frankfort, Kentucky

The Norfolk State University (NSU) is located on the Memorial Park Golf Course former site, covering 134 acres. The college was originally founded in 1935 as the Norfolk Unit of Virginia Union University. NSU later attained the university status in 1979.

NSU is a student-centered college that aims for excellence, diversity, integrity, and engagement. The college's acceptance of low GPAs has further boosted its attractiveness among average-performing students.

• Min. GPA Required: 2.3 
• Acceptance Rate: 89.5%
• No. of Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,510
• Location: Norfolk, Virginia

Founded in Marshall, Texas in 1873, Wiley College is yet another historically relevant college to be established west of the Mississippi River. Though it serves a significantly lower number of students than previous colleges in this list, Wiley has a track record of working with lower GPA students. The college accepts freshers with as low as 2.0 high school GPA. Alternatively, Wiley also accepts students who underwent the General Education Development (GED) Test.

With its 100% acceptance rate, Wiley College has created a diverse environment for students of all racial and economic backgrounds. However, only students below the age of 22 can apply for admission to this college.

• Min. GPA Required: 2.0
• Acceptance Rate: 100%
• No. of Undergraduate Enrollment: 615
• Location: Marshall, Texas

The William Paterson University of New Jersey has a flexible approach to admissions. Although it demands a minimum 3.0 GPA from its applicants, there are alternate ways to get admission.

Students with a "B" average in high school can apply for this college. Similarly, an average SAT score of 890-1090 or an ACT score of around 16-23 also meets the standard of William Paterson University.

• Min. GPA Required: 3.0
• Acceptance Rate: 94%
• No. of Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,546
• Location: Wayne, New Jersey

Sources:

• College Vine
• Alabama State University
• California State University- San Bernardino
• Norfolk State University
• Wiley University