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Students are often made to believe that having a good GPA is the primary requirement for getting admission into a university. But that is not true. It’s not just your score that matters, it’s your overall profile. For example, a student with a 3.0 GPA and co-curricular activities on his resume has a higher chance of getting into a university than a student with a 3.2 GPA score.
With that in mind, a lot of universities are lowering their GPA requirements and inviting different students with extremely diverse profiles. We have collated 100 such colleges in our list of graduate schools with low GPA requirements. But before we check them out&
What is a low GPA?
As you already know, the standard GPA scale used by most universities around the world is the 4.0 GPA scale.
So if your score is in the form of percentages or grades, the first thing you need to do is convert it into the 4.0 GPA scale.
Now, if your GPA comes to anything above 3.0, that’s considered to be a good GPA. A 3.0 GPA won’t get you into the topmost colleges, but it will give you a lot of options.
On the other hand, if your score is less than 3.0, your options will be reduced.
To help you find such colleges, we have collated a list of graduate schools with low GPA requirements. But before we take a look at the list, let’s understand how to get into a university with a low GPA.
How to get into grad school with a low GPA
As we’ve already mentioned, universities are becoming more and more open-minded. They are accepting applicants with low GPA scores, given that they have a good overall profile.
But what constitutes a “good overall profile?”
What can you do to make your application get accepted, despite your low GPA scores?
Well, here are our suggestions-
1. Explain yourself
Most people will tell you to avoid mentioning your scores at all, be it on your SOP, during your interview, or otherwise. Do not listen to them.
The admissions committee at any university will notice your academic scores. It’s better to explain yourself in your SOP or write a separate Explanation Letter talking about why your GPA is low.
2. Highlight a few subjects
Even though your overall score may be less, chances are that you have high scores in particular areas or subjects. Highlight that in your SOP or the Explanation Letter and talk about how you’re ready to pursue your favorite course at their university.
3. Score high in GRE or GMAT
To showcase that you can really do something when you put your mind to it, you can focus on improving your scores in GRE or GMAT.
4. Focus more on other parts of your application
Send stellar references to the university, highlight your projects, internships, work experience, and publications. This would make the admission committee see that you never lost focus on your career.
5. Enroll in courses
Even though you may not have scored so well in school, a report showing that you enrolled in specific courses and earned recognition while doing so would be very helpful in enhancing your profile.
6. Take up additional coursework
Some of the colleges that accept students with a low GPA ask students to maintain a GPA score or take a certain amount of extra credits. If you’re open and willing to try out this option, go for it!
Once you’ve worked on 2 to 3 of these factors, you can start applying to colleges with low GPA requirements. Here they are-
List of graduate schools with low GPA requirements
Universities in North America are usually very clear about their GPA requirements.
But now, several of these colleges are offering admissions to students with low GPA scores.
Instead, they have decided to focus on other important aspects of a student’s profile, like projects, publications, and internships. While the others might ask you to complete additional coursework while studying at the university after admission.
This is not the case for universities in other countries, like UK, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
Here, the universities do appreciate students with a good GPA. But they do not have any set requirements for a student’s academic scores.
You can apply to any of them with the scores you have while making sure that your overall profile looks impressive.
As for the US, here’s a list of graduate schools with low GPA requirements-
| Universities | CGPA |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | 3.21 |
| University of Colorado at Colorado Springs | 3.37 |
| Western Governors University | minimum requirement not listed |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe | 3.43 |
| The University of Maine at Presque Isle | 3 |
| University of Maryland Eastern Shore | 2.93 |
| The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth – | 3.25 |
| Albany State University | 2 |
| Liberty University | 2.0 – this is valid for most programs at the university, except for some like Master of Arts in Public Policy, which needs a 3.0 GPA |
| Dallas Nursing Institute | 2 |
| Family of Faith Christian University | 2 |
| Fort Hays State University | 2 |
| Gwynedd Mercy University | 2 |
| Lewis Clark State College | 2 |
| Medaille College | 2 |
| Purdue University Global | 2.5 – may accept students with low GPAs based on other aspects of their profiles |
| North Carolina State University – 2.0 | 2 |
| Texas A&M International University – 2.0 | 2 |
| University of Houston, Clear Lake – 2.0 | 2 |
| University of Maine – 2.0 | 2 |
| West Texas A&M University – 2.0 | 2 |
| Troy University Troy, Alabama | Minimum GPA for acceptance to the graduate program is 2.5 on a 4 point scale. This is one of the Universities that accept low GPA for graduate programs. |
| ECPI | 2.5 |
| Endicott College | 2.5 |
| Grace Christian University | 2.5 |
| University of Southern Indiana | 2.5 |
| California State University San Bernardino, California | Minimum GPA for acceptance to the graduate program is 2.5 on a 4 point scale |
| Southern New Hampshire University | 2.5 |
| Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania | 3 |
| Lamar University | 3 |
| The College of Westchester | 3 |
| Massachusetts State University | |
| Capella University | 2.7 – may accept students with low GPAs based on other aspects of their profiles |
| Cal Poly Pomona | 2.5 |
| California State University East Bay | 2.5 |
| CSU Fresno | 2.75 |
| California State University Fullerton | 2.5 |
| CSU Long Beach | 2.7 |
| California State University Northridge | 2.5 |
| Grand Canyon University | 2.8 – this is valid for most programs at the university, except for some like Ph.D. in General Psychology, which needs a 3.4 GPA |
| DePaul University | 2.5 |
| Eastern Michigan University | 2.7 |
| Gannon University | 2.5 |
| Humboldt State University | 2.5 |
| Jackson state university | 2.5 |
| Full Sail University Winter Park, Florida | 2.0 – This is one of the Universities that accept low GPA for graduate programs |
| University of Minnesota Twin Cities | 3 |
| Fresno City College | 2.4 |
| Vorhees College | 2 |
| Livingstone College | 2.3 |
| McHenry County College | 2.3 |
| Arkansas Tech University Russellville, Arkansas | Minimum GPA for acceptance to the graduate program is 2.5 on a 4 point scale |
| South Suburban College | 2.3 |
| Southern University at New Orleans | 2.3 |
| Talladega College | 2.4 |
| Richland Community College | 2.2 |
| Louisburg College | 2.3 |
| Metropolitan College of New York | 2.1 |
| National University San Diego, California | Minimum GPA for acceptance to the graduate program is 2.5 on a 4 point scale |
| Virginia University of Lynchburg – 2.0 | 2 |
| Benjamin Franklin of Technology – 2.3 | 2.3 |
| Southeast Technical Institute – 2.4 | 2.4 |
| University of the West – 2.4 | 2.4 |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University Lincoln, Nebraska | Minimum GPA for acceptance to the graduate program is 2.5 on a 4 point scale |
| The University of North Carolina at Pembroke | 3.55 |
| University of Pittsburgh at Bradford | 3.31 |
| The University of South Carolina Beaufort | 3.39 |
| University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | 3.51 |
| State University of New York Brockport, New York | Minimum GPA for acceptance to the graduate program is 3 on a 4 point scale |
| The University of Texas at Tyler | 3.38 |
| University of Washington Tacoma | 3.29 |
| The University of Wisconsin Parkside | 3.09 |
| Arkansas State University | 2.75 |
| Arkansas Tech University | 2.75 |
| Bradley University | 2.75 |
| Colorado State University, Global Campus | 3.0 for Masters |
| Northcentral University | Minimum requirement not listed |
| Strayer University | 2.5 – This is valid for most programs at the university |
| Connecticut State University | 3 |
| University of Hawaii | Minimum requirement not listed |
| The CUNY system in NYC | Minimum requirement not listed |
| The Oregon University | |
| University of Rhode Island | |
| California State University Channel Islands, California | Minimum GPA for acceptance to the graduate program is 2.5 on a 4 point scale |
| Indiana University Northwest | 3.03 |
| University of Michigan at Flint | 3.4 |
| The University of Minnesota Crookston | 3.21 |
| University of Missouri Kansas City | 3.38 |
| The University of Nebraska at Kearney | 3.48 |
| Louisiana State University Shreveport | 3.29 |
| Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, Missouri | 3 |
| Tiffin University Tiffin, Ohio | 3 |
| Plymouth State University Plymouth, New Hampshire | 3 |
| Metropolitan College of New York New York City, New York | 3 |
| City University of Seattle Seattle, Washington | Minimum GPA for acceptance to the graduate program is 3 on a 4 point scale |
| Northwood University Midland, Michigan | 3 |
| University of Mississippi Oxford, Mississippi | 3 |
| Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington | Minimum GPA for acceptance to the graduate program is 3 on a 4 point scale |
| Arizona State University Phoenix, Arizona | Minimum GPA for acceptance to the graduate program is 3 on a 4 point scale |
| University of Minnesota Twin Cities | 3 |
Not all colleges are on this list
The list of graduate schools with low GPA requirements will keep increasing day by day. So if there’s a university or a course that you are interested in and you can’t find it on this list, don’t fret!
Go to the university website and check their page. Or look at the program page itself.
If the application requirements on these pages mention that they accept a low GPA, you might not need to worry after all!
So which university should I apply to?
My only suggestion to you is this – shortlist your colleges wisely.
Don’t just pick from this list of graduate schools with low GPA requirements because you are unsure of your scores. Choose them because you like the course, find the curriculum fascinating, and love the faculty. And if that means you have to find other ways of getting into graduate school, then do that.
If you have any more advice about how to get into a college with a low GPA or know the names of other colleges that accept students with low GPA, drop a comment. Or reach out to us! We’d be very happy to help.
Until next time, ciao.
Read more: List of grad schools waiving GRE for 2021
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I have a very low Cgpa of 1.5/5 in college. What do you suggest would be my best option applying as an international student for postgraduate/ vocational studies in the US?..
Hi Deolu,
My first suggestion would be to ensure that other aspects of your profile are strong – like internship/work experience, co-curricular activities, etc.
But our experts would be able to provide much more insight.
You can get in touch with them here.
Hi my name is Adnan Sami and I am from Pakistan and wanted to know about the cheapest universities in the canada?
Hi Adnan,
You can check out our blog on How to study in Canada for free or on a low budget
Question for Ankita! Trust this finds you well, I have a 6.75 GPA out of 10, with 5 backlogs(non – core) only in the first year. Right now I am working at at one of the IIITs as a data analyst, in a team consisting of only Post Doc students, on a very revered project of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt of India. How can I justify the past poor scores compared to what I’m doing presently! How do I shortlist the universities for the same? Do you offer any related services? Thanks for reading!
Hi there Varun,
I’ve seen several students with backlogs get into good programs abroad.
There is always a way to justify your scores and showcase the more interesting aspects of your personality, like your project at the Ministry of Science and Technology.
One of our experts will get in touch with you to help figure this out.
I wish you all the best with your applications!
Hi,
I want to apply for a PhD program in Computer Science.
My bachelor’s GPA is 3.22 and my master’s is 2.44. Do I have a chance because of MS low GPA?
Hi Aurora,
Universities don’t just look at your GPA. They also consider other aspects of your profile.
While the pointers in this blog will help you focus on these aspects, one of our experts will get in touch with you to offer personalized recommendations.
All the best!
My Bachelor CGPA is 2.53 in anthropology. Which University will be better for me to get admission easily?
Hey,
There are a few universities you can look at like Kent State University, Western Washington University, University of Massachusetts-Boston, and there are many more. However to make this process convenient for you one of our counselors will get in touch with you soon.
All the best!
Hello , I had A low GPA of 1.5 /5.0 in my university degree in Nigeria due to some personal reasons as this doesn’t equals my educational ability , As I know I can always do better.
.
Are they university in the united states that will accept me going for my masters not considering my low GPA or a GPA at all … If yes please can you tell me about them and what I need to do .Thanks
Hi Timilehin,
I’m sure we can help you with that.
One of our counselors will get in touch with you soon.
Hope you find the right university! All the best!
I done Ms optical engineering from china in 2018. And now I want MBA in USA so is it ok for getting visa? Need suggestions
Hey Jamshed,
This is a very specific question, and I’m sure we can help you with that!
One of our expert counselors will get in touch with you soon.
All the best!
Hello Ankita, my CGPA 2.34 in my university degree in Nigeria, was a tough time but I can always do better.
.
I did love to know if I have chance to enroll for master program in Education in the US?
Hey Emmanuel,
Hope you’re doing good, there is always a chance to get enrolled in various programs. One of our counselors will get in touch with you soon to help you out.
All the best!
Hello Samanthe,
I found your blog articles really helpful.
I am a prospective graduate school Applicant. My undergraduate cGPA is 3.63/5.0. I have written GRE (324) and I also have a research publication in a reputable journal.
Please I’d need counseling to make the right choice.
King regards
Iiga
Hey liga,
One of our counselors will get in touch with you soon.
Hope you find the right university! All the best!
Hey Liga,
I’m glad you found the article helpful. One of our counselors will get in touch with you soon.
Hope you find the right university! All the best!
Hey, I have recently graduated unfortunately with a score of 2.95 only but I have differents certificates in my field and have an experience of 1-month internship as well. Now I want to take admission on scholarship at any university which has a good name in the list of universities, from the whole world. My subjects are related to plants, kindly guide me for universities and the last thing is my statement of purpose.
Hey Maria,
There are many universities like the University of California Cornell University and so on.
One of our counselors will get in touch with you so you can choose the best university for you.
All the best!
Hello
Please I just graduated from a ghanaian university where I studied BSC Computer Science with a CGPA of 2.2
Can I be considered for a masters program in the US?
Hey,
Yes, there are many masters programs available in the USA and you can select one that best fits you.
To make this process easier for you one of our counselors will get in touch with you soon!
All the best.
Hi, thanks for this blog.
I have a low cgpa that is below 2.0, in Education Biology. So I crossed to computer science to have a Postgraduate diploma and Masters degree with cgpa above 3.0. I planned going for my PhD but I’m worried about my BSc low cgpa. I also have a GRE score of 301. Can your counsellors possibly evalute my chances pls?
Hey Emmanuel,
Yes, of course, one of our counselors will get in touch with you soon.
All the best!
Thanks so much
I will be expectant.
Hi,my name is peter,i graduated with a GPA of 2.39 since 2010 from a university in africa and wanted a school for my masters degree.Do you think a have a chance of getting enroll for my masters degree.
Hey Perter,
Yes, there is always a chance to get a masters degree in your desired field.
To help you in this process one of our counselors will get in touch with you soon.
All the best!
Hello!
I found your blog article really helpful!
I am a prospective graduate school Applicant. My undergraduate cGPA is 2.3, I was studying civil engineering. Please I’d need counselling to make the right choice for a graduate progam .
King regards
Hello Audrey
One of our counselors will get in touch with you soon.
All the best!
Hello!
My undergraduate CGPA is 3.0 out of 4.0 in mathematics.
Can I do master’s in applied mathematics or any IT related programme?
HeyElisha,
Yes, a 3.0 out of 4.0 is the minimum to be competitive for any masters program. There will be many options to choose from and to make it easier for you one of our counselors will get in touch with you soon!
All the best!
Good day, I graduated with a cgpa of 2.69 from a school in Africa. I will like to go for my masters degree in business administration Do I have chances of getting admission into any school in USA.
Hey,
Yes, you always have a chance to get into your dream country and university.
You can have a look at this blog to learn more about studying in the USA- A guide on how to study in USA for international students
One of our counselors will get in touch with you as well to make this process easier.
I have read so many articles on the topic of the blogger lovers but this
post is actually a nice post, keep it up.
Thanks for the update. I recently graduated with 2.99 in Mining Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering. Which school in USA would you suggest for my low GPA and how do I go about making my profile strong.
Thanks once again.
Hey Emmanuel
This is a detailed question so one of our counsellors would be able to better guide you on this matter. I would suggest reading this blog- Virtual internships | Top 5 options for college students
All the best!
Good Morning,
I have a Bachelors in Computer science with a CGPA of 2.88/4.0. I want to pursue a Masters in Computer Science or Engineering but i don’t know if there is a school in the US that would consider me without GRE or IELTS. I’m from NIGERIA and our Official Language is English
Hey Henry,
There are a few universities in the USA that don’t require GRE we recommend you read- Top US schools that don’t require GRE
However, we want this process to be smooth and hassle-free which is why one of our counselors will get in touch with you soon!
All the best!
I graduated with a 2.96/5.0 in Statistics and would love to pursue a Master’s program in the USA or Canada preferably Data Science, Health Informatics, Data Analytics and any other IT related program. I have 4 years professional experience as a Data Analyst and have some professional certificates as well.
Kindly recommend universities of best fit to get enrolled for the 2022 Fall academic year.
Waiting earnestly for your response.
Hey,
This is a detailed question and we want you to get the best which is why one of our counselors will get in touch with you soon to help you select the best country and university.
All the best!