Is a 1.9 GPA Good? Best Colleges That Accept a 1.9 GPA
A low grade point average (GPA) can present an obstacle for college admissions, but you can still get into college. This article will show you a few options.
There are plenty of colleges that accept a 1.9 GPA as long as you research carefully. It also doesn't hurt to finish high school on an upward trend to at least clear the 2.0 GPA threshold if you still have time.
We'd like to introduce you to a few respected colleges with low GPA requirements, proving that it's possible to start college at a high-quality institution.
What Is a 1.9 GPA?
A 1.9 grade point average means that you have about a D+ average in terms of academic performance. While there are colleges that accept a 1.9 GPA, it'll help if you can improve those grades or focus on scoring higher on the SAT or ACT. Your primary objective should be to remain positive and focus on sharpening every element of your college application (including extracurricular activities and letters of recommendation) to help you overcome a slow high school start.
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Arizona State University
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Schools That Accept a 1.9 GPA
We've compiled a list of colleges that might suit your academic goals and offer a good chance of acceptance. These are 10 accredited institutions with reasonable admission requirements for someone with a 1.9 GPA.
1. New England College
New England College (NEC) admits almost all of its applicants and does not require a minimum GPA. It emphasizes online and in-person education through its large library of degree programs.
These include business, communications, data analytics, creative and professional writing, and social sciences. If you apply for admissions and financial by January 15, you may qualify for a $2,000 scholarship from NEC's Early Acceptance Program.
Average GPA: 2.8
Acceptance rate: 95%
In-state tuition: $41,584
Out-of-state tuition: $41,584
2. Liberty University
Liberty University is another college that offers both online and on-campus education. It also admits almost 100% of applicants.
Although Liberty may have specific requirements for certain degree programs, general admission for incoming freshmen or transfer students is an open process. The school offers a variety of college majors, including computer science, aviation, nursing, and several liberal arts subjects.
Average GPA: 3.5
Acceptance rate: 99%
In-state tuition: $24,650
Out-of-state tuition: $24,650
3. Bellevue University
Bellevue University offers affordable tuition for in-state and out-of-state students, while admitting 100% of incoming applicants. It also does not require you to submit standardized test scores of any kind. Bellevue helps new students by offering scholarships, accepting as many transfer credits as possible, and crediting military veterans for their service experience.
Average GPA: 3.1
Acceptance rate: 100%
In-state tuition: $8,886
Out-of-state tuition: $8,886
4. Lakeland University
Lakeland University encourages applicants to submit at least a 2.0 GPA, but does not fully require it. You have more certainty of admission to this program if you have a 1.9 unweighted GPA but also a higher weighted GPA from high school.
Once you gain admission, students have a choice of attending college at Lakeland's campus in Wisconsin, taking coursework 100% online, or a hybrid of both.
Average GPA: 3.1
Acceptance rate: 80% to 90%
In-state tuition: $32,900
Out-of-state tuition: $32,900
5. Capella University
Capella University recommends having at least a 2.8 GPA to get into some academic programs, but this is not a mandatory threshold for incoming freshmen. This means you get a chance to prove yourself, despite a low high school GPA, once you begin at this large online university. If you are ready to apply, pay close attention to Capella's admissions requirements, which require an interview with some of its faculty members.
Average GPA: 3.5
Acceptance rate: 100%
In-state tuition: $14,436
Out-of-state tuition: $14,436
6. University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso admits students with high GPAs but does not require a certain threshold; it admits 100% of applicants. The university serves Hispanic students primarily, offering affordable tuition rates for Texas residents. It also has a wide range of degree programs for topics such as nursing, mechanical engineering, computer programming, education, and finance.
Average GPA: 3.6
Acceptance rate: 100%
In-state tuition: $9,744
Out-of-state tuition: $25,512
7. Walden University
Walden University is an accredited online college for students seeking bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctorates, and more. Although the tuition may be slightly higher, some students qualify for a 25% discount as part of Walden's Believe & Achieve Scholarship. The university's application process is fairly straightforward and includes non-academic factors, such as a student's work history.
Average GPA: 3.7
Acceptance rate: 98%
In-state tuition: $12,498
Out-of-state tuition: $12,498
8. Utah Valley State University
Utah Valley State University has a high acceptance rate and will allow accepted students to defer admissions if they would like to delay starting college. It is also one of Utah's most affordable public schools, with in-state tuition below $6,000. Utah Valley State holds institutional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), along with almost 20 specialized accreditations for areas such as nursing, education, and business.
Average GPA: 3.4
Acceptance rate: 100%
In-state tuition: $5,818
Out-of-state tuition: $17,800
9. Montana State University Billings
Montana State University Billings has a 100% acceptance rate for incoming freshmen. The tuition rate is much more affordable for Montana residents who can lower the cost of attendance even further by obtaining veteran's waivers, standard tuition waivers, and various scholarships. Montana State permits 100% online learning for 11 bachelor's degree programs, including five business school concentrations.
Average GPA: 3.0
Acceptance rate: 100%
In-state tuition: $6,706
Out-of-state tuition: $21,347
10. University of Maryland Global Campus
The University of Maryland Global Campus does not furnish any specific GPA figures for its incoming undergraduates. However, the school accepts all applicants for its 135+ degree programs, most of which are available fully online. The university's website also lets prospective students use its web tools to compare three different degree programs together before learning how to secure financial aid and scholarships for college.
Average GPA: Not published
Acceptance rate: 100%
In-state tuition: $7,992
Out-of-state tuition: $12,336
How We Rank Schools
Here's a quick description of our school ranking methodology. The primary factors include academic accreditation, appropriate GPA requirements, and acceptance rates.
- Accreditation: The universities and community colleges on this list possess full academic accreditation from a reputable review board.
- GPA requirement: These are all universities with either an open admissions process or a minimum GPA threshold below 2.0.
- Acceptance rates: A college's acceptance rate should be high enough to offer a reasonable chance for someone with a 1.9 GPA.
College Admissions With a 1.9 GPA
If your high school GPA is below 2.0, you may encounter difficulty getting into most programs, since many college boards set that as their minimum admissions threshold. However, admissions officers will sometimes make concessions for students who also submit above-average SAT scores or ACT scores, or achieve better grades in their last year of high school. You can also impress the admissions committee by taking difficult coursework and earning at least a B grade.
Strategies To Improve a Low GPA
If you have a low GPA, there are two strategies to consider: apply to colleges that accept everyone or boost your GPA before graduating high school. Many high school students get off to a weak start, but then improve their grades in their junior year, allowing them to meet the minimum GPA requirement at more colleges.
It will take perseverance to raise a lower GPA, but you can still have decent chances of admission to your dream school if you build better study habits. This involves devoting more time to homework or asking for tutoring for your weaker subjects. This is also a good time to sharpen your writing skills because you'll need to compose a solid personal statement and other college essays for the application process.
FAQs About Colleges Accepting Students With Below-Average GPAs
Check out these three frequently asked questions (FAQs) for students with below-average GPAs. These address admission chances and whether you can still receive financial aid for your first year of college.
Will Colleges Accept a 1.9 GPA?
Yes, there are several good colleges that accept all applicants, including those with a 1.9 GPA or lower. GPA isn't the sole admissions factor even at the more selective four-year colleges.
We recommend focusing on developing a well-rounded college application with the best possible standardized test scores, grade improvement during your senior year, difficult coursework, internship experience, and reference letters. While you might not enter an Ivy League program with that GPA, there are plenty of respected state colleges that would be happy to have you.
Can You Get FAFSA With a 1.9 GPA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) does not have minimum GPA requirements. You are free to apply for federal financial aid regardless of your grades.
Just be mindful that a lower GPA may make you less competitive for grants and merit-based scholarships tied to FAFSA. Also, FAFSA requires Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) after you enroll in a degree program, meaning you must maintain a 2.0 GPA in college.
What Is the Lowest GPA a College Will Accept?
There is no minimum GPA requirement at several colleges, including the ones from our rankings. So, if you wish to have a ''safety school,'' then you can apply to one of those institutions. You can also switch colleges later by beginning your higher education at a community college, earning at least a 2.0 GPA, and applying for admissions as a transfer student.
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