Identifying grad schools that accept 2.5 GPA from prospective students may not be as hard as it sounds. After all, not every college or university has a strict cutoff when it comes to minimum GPA. And, some institutions may be willing to give you a chance even if your GPA is not the highest on the block.
We’ve provided a list of sponsored colleges and universities with graduate programs that may accept students with a 2.5 GPA or lower.
8 Grad Schools That Accept 2.5 GPA (or Don’t List a Requirement)
Keep in mind that these general GPA requirements may be subject to change, and may even vary from program to program at the same grad school. Also, each school and program will have other admissions requirements besides GPA, so be sure to find out.
Note: All listed GPAs are on a 4.0 scale.
1. Wisconsin Lutheran College
Wisconsin Lutheran College is an independent Christian college based in Milwaukee. The school opened in 1973 and today serves about 1200 students. Programs at WLC are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission's North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
WLC offers Master of Arts programs in areas like Leadership and Innovation, Instructional Technology, and Special Education Leadership. Students may be able to pursue their coursework online or in a blended format.
GPA requirements: WLC does not list a minimum GPA. Among its graduate admissions requirements are two letters of recommendations, a personal goal statement, a professional writing sample, and potentially an interview.
2. Bob Jones University
Bob Jones University is a Christian, liberal arts institution based in Greenville, South Carolina. The school was founded in 1927, and today they serve over 3,000 students in four schools, a college, and a seminary.
BJU is home to graduate programs in areas like education, divinity, biblical counseling, and even church music. They also have a Doctor of Ministry program.
GPA requirements: Bob Jones University specifies that prospective graduate students must hold a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. However, in some cases a lower GPA may be accepted, such as if a student has a 2.4 cumulative GPA but holds at least a B in their major. And, the Master of Divinity program may accept a 2.0 GPA. Refer to the graduate catalog for more specifics.
3. Our Lady of the Lake University
Our Lady of the Lake University was founded in 1895 and now serves over 3,100 students. They are based in San Antonio and also offer programs in Houston, the Rio Grande Valley, and online.
OLLU is home to masters programs in areas ranging from accounting to social work. They also offer doctoral degree programs in Counseling Psychology (PsyD) and Leadership Studies (PhD).
GPA requirements: Graduate programs at Our Lady of the Lake require a 2.50 minimum grade point average, or a 3.0 for the last 60 credits of undergraduate work. However, the MEd and MA Special Education programs require a minimum GPA of 2.75.
4. Full Sail University
Full Sail University offers degree programs dedicated to entertainment, media, arts, and technology. In addition to their Winter Park, Florida campus, which is well-equipped with production studios and labs, Full Sail offers some programs completely online.
Full Sail is home to a variety of master’s degree programs. Offerings span many creative areas, like film production, game design, journalism, media design, and more.
GPA requirements: Applicants to graduate programs at Full Sail must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in their bachelor’s program. Applicants with lower GPAs need to submit a Letter of Intent, resume, and college transcripts to the program director for potential consideration.
5. University of the Rockies
University of the Rockies is an accredited graduate school offering master’s and doctoral degree programs. They were founded in 1998, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The university is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.
GPA requirements: Admissions requirements vary, depending on the program. Master of Arts programs (excluding Counseling) require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for bachelor’s degree-holders. However, admitted grad students who have a GPA between 2.0 and 2.74 will be placed on Academic Watch. Alternatively, you may apply having previously earned a master’s degree or higher.
6. Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution founded in 1932. They serve about 3,000 on-campus students and over 80,000 online students.
SNHU offers on-campus, hybrid, and online graduate programs in areas like education, finance, information technology, and more. They also have an MBA program with many potential concentrations on offer.
GPA requirements: GPA requirements vary by program. However, in general, graduate students must apply with a GPA of 2.75 for full acceptance or a GPA of 2.0 for provisional acceptance. Students accepted provisionally must earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in each of their first two terms in order to remain in the graduate program.
7. Colorado Technical University
Colorado Technical University was founded in 1965 and continues to offer career-focused education to students throughout Colorado and the world. Besides campuses in Colorado Springs and Aurora, CTU has numerous online programs. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
CTU features online and campus-based master’s programs in business, computer science, nursing, and other career-oriented areas. They also offer doctoral degree programs.
GPA requirements: Applicants to graduate programs at Colorado Technical University must have a minimum GPA of 2.0, among other requirements.
8. Columbia International University
Columbia International University is a Christian institution with a biblical worldview, as well as an eye toward helping students prepare for new professional goals. They’re based in Columbia, South Carolina.
CIU offers graduate and seminary programs, many of them available online. Graduate majors include education, Christian ministry, teaching English as a foreign language, business administration, and more.
GPA requirements: For general graduate admissions, students must hold a minimum GPA of 2.5. However, requirements may vary by program, so it’s important to learn more about your intended area of study in the course catalog.
Can I Get into Graduate School with a 2.5 GPA? How to Get into Grad School with a 2.5 GPA (Potentially!)
So, you didn’t do as well in your undergraduate program as you wished. Maybe life circumstances got in the way of reaching your full potential in college. And, maybe you’ve matured a lot since your undergrad years, and you’re looking for a second chance.
There are a few strategies that might help you find and apply to graduate schools that accept 2.5 GPA and universities that accept 2.5 GPA. These include:
- Finding schools that consider the whole story. As an applicant, you’re more than just your GPA. Perhaps you have an impressive work history, inspiring goals, or a commitment to personal and professional growth. Of course, some grad schools may weed out applicants based on GPA, without looking at the rest of the package.
So, pay extra attention to the admissions requirements for schools you’re considering. Ideally, the schools you apply to will give weight to other, stronger aspects of your application. Some grad schools may pay attention to whether your GPA in your major is higher than your cumulative GPA, for instance. And some schools may even permit you to submit an explanation as to why your GPA does not reflect your full potential.
- Communicating with the admissions department. If life circumstances contributed to your low undergraduate GPA, you may wish to explain this to the admissions committee at your prospective school. The goal here is not to make excuses, but to make a case for why your 2.5 GPA is not indicative of your true ability.
- Wowing admissions with the rest of your application. If your GPA is on the low side but meets your prospective school’s minimum requirements, you’re still not over the finish line. It may be especially important to give your full attention to other best aspects of your application, such as test scores (GRE, GMAT, etc.), admissions essays, your statement of purpose, etc. And, strong letters of recommendation can’t hurt!
- Pursuing post-graduate work. Taking additional top coursework after you’ve earned your bachelor’s degree may be a way to boost your credentials. If you opt to try this route, you’ll probably want to pursue coursework in the same area you wish to study in grad school.
- Considering online graduate schools that accept 2.5 GPA. If you’re limiting your choices to schools in your geographic area, you may have fewer potential recourses. Opening up your search to include online programs means you can consider colleges and universities in other parts of the country. That might make finding the perfect match just a bit easier.
So, can you get into grad school with a 2.5 GPA? The answer will be different for everyone, but doing some research on prospective programs is a good start.
Explore Potential Grad Schools That Accept 2.5 GPA
Take the plunge, and start researching to find a 2.5 GPA grad school that’s perfect for you! Hint: If you see a school that sounds ideal, request info to learn more.