Degree & Admission Requirements
Every program sets its own bar: a minimum GPA, test scores, prerequisite courses or math you'll need to pass. Learn.org's degree requirement guides spell out what colleges, graduate programs and professional schools actually expect, and what to do if you don't meet the bar yet.
Find admissions requirements by GPA and program type, math requirements by major, and the education needed for specific careers. If your GPA is lower than you'd like, our low-GPA guides cover schools with flexible admissions and ways to strengthen your application.
Start Here
- What is a good GPA?
- Colleges that accept low GPAs
- Online colleges with high acceptance rates
- What GPA do you need for grad school?
- Average college GPA by major
- High-paying majors that don't require math
Getting Into College With a Low GPA
A low high school GPA narrows your choices but rarely closes them. Open-admission colleges, many online schools and community colleges look beyond grades, and transfer pathways let you prove yourself before moving to a four-year school.
- How to get into college with a low GPA
- Entrance requirements for a 4-year college
- Colleges that accept a 1.5 GPA
- Colleges that accept a 2.0 GPA
- Colleges that accept low GPAs
- Online colleges that accept a low GPA
- Online colleges with no admission requirements
- Transfer colleges that accept a low GPA
- Colleges that meet 100% of financial need
Other Ways Into College
No diploma, no test scores, or a record? Accredited colleges have admissions routes for each of these situations.
- Online colleges that don't require SAT or ACT scores
- Online colleges that accept the GED
- Colleges that accept Penn Foster diplomas
- Colleges that accept high school dropouts
- Online colleges that accept felons
Graduate School Admissions
Graduate programs weigh GPA alongside work experience, recommendations and your statement of purpose. A lower GPA can often be offset, especially with an upward grade trend or relevant experience.
Grad School GPA Guides
- What GPA do you need for grad school?
- How to get into grad school with a low GPA
- How to explain a low GPA in your application
- Graduated college with a low GPA? What to do next
- Grad schools that accept a low GPA
- Grad schools that accept a 2.0 GPA
- Grad schools that accept a 2.5 GPA
- Grad schools that accept a 2.9 GPA
- Grad schools that don't require the GRE
Psychology and Social Work Programs
- Psychology graduate programs that accept a low GPA
- Master's in psychology programs with high acceptance rates
- PsyD programs with no dissertation
- BSW programs with high acceptance rates
- MSW programs with high acceptance rates
- MSW programs that accept a low GPA
- MSW programs with no GRE requirement
Healthcare Administration Programs
- Bachelor's in healthcare administration with high acceptance rates
- Master's in healthcare administration with high acceptance rates
Professional School GPA Requirements
Medical, law, nursing and other professional programs publish clear GPA expectations. Compare typical GPAs by program, then see how to apply if you're below average.
Program
Average GPA
If your GPA is low
Medical school
How to get in · Schools that accept low GPAs
Law school
PA school
How to get in · Schools that accept low GPAs
Nursing school
How to get in · Programs that accept low GPAs
NP school
Pharmacy school
Dental school
Vet school
Optometry school
PT school
How to get in · PT schools with no GRE
Business school
Trade school
Math Requirements by Major
Worried about math? Requirements range from a single statistics course in many social science majors to several semesters of calculus in engineering. Find your major below.
Engineering and Technology
- Math requirements for engineering
- Aerospace engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Biomedical engineering
- Architecture
- Cybersecurity
- Information technology
Health and Medicine
- Medical school
- Nursing (RN)
- LPN
- Vet school
- Anesthesiologist
- Radiology
- X-ray technician
- Kinesiology
- Pharmacy
- Neuroscience
- CRNA
Business, Science, Social Science and Education
- Finance
- Marketing
- Biology
- Forensic science
- Criminal justice
- Psychology
- Social work
- Elementary education
- Power lineman
- High-paying majors that don't require math
Education Requirements by Career
Some careers need a doctorate and residency; others need only a certificate and a license. These guides list the exact education steps for each.
Medicine
Health Licensing and Certification
- Can you take the NCLEX without nursing school?
- CNA-to-LVN program requirements
- Mammography tech requirements
- Endoscopy tech certification
- ASCP certification requirements
Engineering and Academia
Other Careers
- Police officer
- Land surveyor
- Interior designer
- Marketing
- Film director
- Actor
- Photographer
- Hair stylist
- Landscaper
- Wedding planner
- Healthcare certifications without a degree
Frequently Asked Questions
What GPA do most colleges require?
It varies widely. Selective schools expect high GPAs, while many open-admission, community and online colleges have no minimum at all. See what is a good GPA? and colleges that accept low GPAs.
Do colleges still require the SAT or ACT?
Many colleges are test-optional, and many online colleges have never required test scores. Policies change, so check each school. See online colleges with no SAT or ACT requirements.
Can I get into grad school with a low GPA?
Often, yes. Strong work experience, good recommendations, an upward grade trend or a conditional-admission path can offset a lower GPA. See how to get into grad school with a low GPA.
How many credits does a degree take?
Roughly 60 credits for an associate degree, 120 for a bachelor's and 30 to 60 for a master's, though programs vary. Transfer credit can cut that total. See our transfer credits guide.
Which majors require the least math?
Many humanities, communications and some business majors need only general education math. See high-paying majors that don't require math.
