Nursing Programs with Low GPA Requirements: Explore Online and Hybrid Degrees

Compton College

Graduates of Compton College’s ADN program are prepared for entry-level RN practice, with a strong focus on clinical skills, critical thinking, and NCLEX-RN readiness. The program is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC).

To apply, you’ll need to meet the following minimum requirements:

• Cumulative GPA of 2.5 for all college coursework
• Minimum 2.5 GPA in science prerequisites, including Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology (all must have been completed within the last seven years)
• Completion of two program-specific courses: Dosage Calculations and Introduction to Nursing, with a “C” or better
• Passing score on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam

The program accepts applications twice a year, in the fall and the spring.

Lone Star College

Prepare for entry-level RN practice at one of Lone Star College’s five campuses across the Houston area. The ADN program prepares graduates for NCLEX-RN eligibility, is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing, and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Minimum admissions requirements include:

• Cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all coursework completed at Lone Star College
• GPA of 2.7 or higher in Biology and English
• Minimum score of 80 on each section of the Health Education Systems, Inc., Admission Assessment (HESI) entrance exam, including a 750 on the critical thinking portion

Admission is competitive and point-based, meaning applicants are ranked by their total score, and higher scores move to the top of the list first. There’s no waitlist.

Jacksonville State University

If you’re aiming for a four-year BSN, Jacksonville State University offers an accessible option with a lower GPA threshold. The program is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing, and graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.

Jacksonville State University’s program runs in two stages: you’ll complete general education and prerequisite courses as a pre-nursing student first, then apply separately to the clinical portion of the program. To be considered for that next step, you’ll need:

• Minimum 2.75 GPA in core prerequisite courses
• Grade of “C” or better in all required classes
• ACT composite score of 18 or SAT score of 960

Applications are accepted twice a year with firm deadlines.

University of Alabama at Birmingham

The University of Alabama’s BSN pathway is within reach for students with a lower GPA. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN. Students are admitted three times a year, in spring, summer, and fall.

Like many BSN programs, it follows a two-stage structure: pre-nursing foundation courses first, then a separate application to the clinical nursing portion. Minimum requirements include:

• Overall GPA of 2.75, maintained through the admission cycle
• Minimum 2.75 GPA in pre-nursing foundation courses
• Grade of “C” or better in all required foundation courses

Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission, and decisions are based on your full academic record and application materials.

Rochester Community and Technical College

Based in Rochester, Minnesota, Rochester Community and Technical College’s ADN program offers a structured, point-based path to RN licensure. With a long-standing history of accreditation, the program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

To apply, you’ll need to meet the following minimums:

• Cumulative GPA of 2.5, calculated using the past five years of coursework only
• Science GPA of 2.5
• One semester of Biology and Chemistry
• Passing score on the Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT)

Admission is point-based, and your science GPA carries significant weight in that ranking. Before the program starts, you’ll also need to complete a college-level nursing assistant course or hold an active CNA status, along with an in-person BLS certification.

• Meet with an admissions advisor to understand how your application will be evaluated and where to focus your effort.
• Retake science prerequisites, like Microbiology or Anatomy and Physiology, where you earned a “C” or below, to improve your science GPA.
• Spend time preparing for the required entrance exams, like TEAS or HESI. A strong entrance exam score can help offset a lower GPA in a competitive applicant pool.
• Complete all prerequisites before applying, as finished coursework is often scored higher than in-progress classes.
• If possible, complete a CNA program and gain hands-on clinical experience to show you’re serious about nursing and are prepared for patient care.