Santiago Mallea
Content Writer At Gradehacker
Low GPA Acceptance Colleges
If you are a prospective student looking for the right place to start your higher education journey, then you already know how important your grade point average (GPA) is.
Many universities use this score to level their upcoming students: “If they can’t meet a certain GPA, then they won’t be accepted.” As a result, the admissions process becomes highly competitive and selective, with many universities closing their doors to many college students just because of their high school grades.
But the truth is that everyone should have access to affordable and quality education. And here is where these low GPA acceptance colleges come in.
Usually, a low GPA is around 2.0 on a point scale of 4.0. Scoring below 3.0 -the national average- instantly reduces your college options. For example, four-year colleges like business or medical schools require a minimum GPA of 3.5.
What happens when you want to study but have a GPA below the average? Here you’ll find a list of schools with low GPA acceptances.
We are the non-traditional student’s most trusted resource. We know how complex and selective college applications can be, and we recognize how important it is for all people, regardless of their GPA, to access good education.
That’s why we are listing the best low GPA acceptance colleges with online programs where you can study with a GPA of 2.0.
Academic Programs
First, we have Albany State University.
It is a public college in Georgia where you can find certificates, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. They have degree programs and online courses in the fields of:
- Arts
- Business
- Science
- Health
Admission Requirements
If you want to enroll in an associate degree, certificate, or bachelor’s program at Albany State University, you’ll have to submit your school transcripts and meet one of the following criteria:
- Minimum GPA of 2.0 with Evidence Writing 480 & Math 440 SAT
- Minimum GPA of 2.0 with English or Reading 17 or Math 17 ACT
On the other hand, their graduate program requires you to:
- Send a baccalaureate degree and official transcripts earned in any field from a regionally accredited college or university
- Complete the admissions application
Depending on the graduate program you choose, you’ll also have to meet additional requirements, including letters of recommendation or a statement of purpose.
Tuition
One of the advantages of attending online classes at Albany State University is that they have affordable tuition rates.
The cost per credit hour for online programs plus their mandatory tech fee is:
- Associate Degrees cost per credit hour: $160
- Bachelor's Degrees cost per credit hour: $234.33
- Master's Degrees cost per credit hour: $365
However, each class has additional fees corresponding to its field. But to reduce your expenses, you can also apply for any of their feature scholarships.
Academic Programs
Next, we have Elizabethtown College School of Graduate & Professional Studies, a private graduate school with accelerated undergraduate and graduate programs for non-traditional students with busy lives.
They have many online programs available, but self-directed learning outside the classroom is expected as accepted students have to meet 15-20 hours of practice per week.
At Etown, you’ll find programs in the fields of:
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Healthcare and Nursing
- Human Services
- Psychology
- Public Policy
Admission Requirements
To apply for an associate or bachelor’s degree, you’ll have to:
- Have graduated from high school with a minimum GPA of 2.0
- Have writing ability sufficient for success in an accelerated academic program
- Have the time to devote to your coursework (as 20 hours per week)
- Submit your current resume
- Send an essay where you share your story, including your professional and academic goals and how you'll be able to meet the program's demands
Graduate programs require your official transcripts, and depending on the program; there are additional admission requirements like:
- Having a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Have years of hands-on experience
- Send letters of recommendation
- Submit a personal statement
At Etown, they charge per college credit.
- Undergraduate programs: $565 per credit
- RN to BSN program: $520 per credit
- Business graduate programs: $695 per credit
- Education programs and Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificates: $525 per credit
Graduate programs’ tuition varies by course. You can also find which financial aid is applicable for your undergraduate or graduate program.
Central Texas College is a community college that offers associate degrees and certificates in career and technical fields. Unlike the other graduate schools on this list, here you won’t find bachelor’s or master’s degrees.
CTC has a wide range of online courses, and if you are a military member, you can also study in one of its many military installations. You can find programs in the fields of:
- Arts and Humanities and Media
- Business and Business Technology
- Construction, Manufacturing, and Transportation
- Healthcare
- Public Service
- Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM)
Because they have an open admissions policy, enrolling in CTC is easy and accessible for anyone. They only require you to:
- Send you high school transcripts with a minimum GPA of 2.0
- Complete their application for admission
- Pass the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA)
CTC charges per credit hour and does not differentiate online learners from school students. The only difference is that online students have fewer additional fees to pay.
- Resident in-district: $100 per credit hour
- Resident out-of-district: $124 per credit hour
- Nonresident and International: $250 per credit hour
Gwynedd Mercy University is a private catholic university with courses for undergraduate and graduate students. While they have more in-person classes and programs, they have a decent amount of online options with the possibility of choosing an accelerated pace.
They only have three online Bachelor’s programs:
However, they have close to 40 online Master’s degrees in the fields of:
- Business
- Counseling
- Education
- Nursing
- Public Health
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for both undergraduate and graduate programs vary by degree. The only common criteria is completing their application for admission with your personal information.
If you choose an undergraduate online degree, they may ask you to:
- Provide evidence of at least 46 credits of a previous college experience, with a minimum GPA of 2.00
- Demonstrate the equivalent of two or more years of full-time work experience
- Pass a criminal background and child abuse records check
If you choose an online graduate degree, they may ask you to:
- Hold an accredited Bachelor's or Master's degree
- Provide official university transcripts proving a cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Submit up to three letters of recommendation
- Complete an interview with an admissions officer once the application is complete
- Submit a writing sample stating your professional and academic goals
In both cases, these are just a few of the many admission requirements GMercyU asks for. Be sure to check your chosen program’s page to see which specific criteria you have to meet.
Just as with its requirements, tuition at GMercyU depends on the program and its academic level.
- Applied Psychology: $500 per credit
- Business: $500 per credit
- BSN: $810 per credit
- Nursing Prerequisites Courses: $350 per credit
- Master of Business Administration: $672 per credit
- Counseling: $702 per credit
- Education: $702 per credit
- Master of Science in Nursing: $947 per credit
- Public Health: $775 per credit
If you want to save money, try applying for their scholarships.
Finally, Fort Hays State University is a public school with more than 200 online degrees and certificates, including doctoral programs!
They offer online courses in:
- Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
- Business and Entrepreneurship
- Education
- Health and Behavioral Sciences
- Science, Technology, and Mathematics
If you are an adult learner with no transfer work, to enroll in an undergraduate online program, you need to:
- Have graduated from an accredited high school and send your official transcripts
- Have obtained a GED and meet the following requirements
- After 2014: Have an overall score of at least 580 and a minimum score of 145 on each subtest
- Between 2002 and 2014: Have an overall score of at least 2,550 with a minimum score of 510 on each subtest
- Before 2002: overall score of at least 250 with a minimum score of 50 points on each subtest.
If you are going to apply for an online graduate degree, you’ll have to:
- Complete the Application for Graduate Admission and pay the $40 application fee
- Submit your Bachelor's transcript from a regionally accredited institution with at least 60 credit hours and a GPA of 2.5 (some departments may ask for a higher minimum grade)
- Provide entrance examination scores (changes depending on the department)
- Include a letter of recommendation
- Submit documents required by specific departments
Fort Hays State University has affordable tuition rates and ranks among the lowest in the U.S.
- Undergraduate: $226.88 per credit hour
- Graduate: $298.55 per credit hour
- Master of Business Administration: $350 per credit hour
- Doctor of Nursing Practice: $400 per credit hour
They also offer many financial aid options and have benefits for members of the military.
Start Studying Regardless Of Your GPA!
Next time you see admission policies of a university asking for its students to have a GPA higher than 3.0, you’ll know that there are many other colleges with low GPA acceptance where you can study.
But if these are not what you are looking for, don’t feel discouraged! We only listed some of the most affordable and accessible colleges, but there are other options too. So don’t stop the search until you’ve found an online school that suits your needs!
We hope we’ve brought you closer to making an informed decision.
But if you are also looking for ways to maintain a higher GPA while accelerating your degree, remember you can trust Gradehacker to assist you! We help many non-traditional students like you with their essays and classes, and we’ll be happy to be there for you as well!
And if you need more college-related tips, be sure to check out our related blog posts:
Santiago Mallea
Santiago Mallea is a curious and creative journalist who first helped many college students as a Gradehacker consultant in subjects like literature, communications, ethics, and business. Now, as a Content Creator in our blog, YouTube channel, and TikTok, he assists non-traditional students improve their college experience by sharing the best tips. You can find him on LinkedIn.
