Is a 2.2 GPA Good? Best Colleges That Accept a 2.2 GPA
Although a 2.2 GPA isn't very high, there are many colleges and universities in the U.S. that will accept undergraduate students who have a GPA of 2.2.
Each college has its own requirements for admissions. One common requirement is a minimum grade point average or GPA.
This minimum requirement can vary between schools, although most require a GPA of at least 2.0. A 2.2 GPA is just above that threshold, so it's not particularly high, but there are many colleges that accept low GPAs. Keep reading to learn more about colleges that accept a 2.2 GPA.
What Is a 2.2 GPA?
Your GPA is a numerical representation of your grades. The GPA scale typically ranges from 0.0 to 4.0, with 0.0 being an F, or below 65%, and 4.0 being an A+, or above 97%. Your overall GPA is the average of all your classes.
A 2.2 GPA falls between a C and a C+. A C is typically a score of 74-76% for a GPA of 2.0, while a C+ is usually a score of 77-79% for a GPA of 2.3.
Although a 2.2 isn't a particularly high GPA, there are still plenty of colleges for C students.
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Colleges That Accept a 2.2 GPA
Several colleges and universities are willing to accept students with lower GPAs. We've highlighted some colleges that accept a 2.2 GPA below.
1. California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton is a public institution in Fullerton, CA. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees on campus and online.
The university does not have a minimum GPA for students but does require high school students to have a grade of C- or better in their core high school courses. The school does not accept SAT or SAT scores either.
Instead, admission is determined through a Multi-Factor Admission Score (MFAS), which takes into account your GPA, institutional commitment, and certain applicant attributes, such as whether you're the first in your family to go to college, if you were in foster care, or if you received free or reduced school lunch.
Average GPA accepted: 3.5
Acceptance rate: 87%
In-state tuition: $420 per credit
Out-of-state tuition: $816 per credit
2. Charter Oak State College
Students at Charter Oak State College can earn associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees online. The university has an open admissions process, meaning it accepts all students who meet the minimum requirements, in this case, a high school diploma or equivalent, like a GED.
Charter Oak, a public online college, is based in New Britain, CT. Note that some specific programs may have higher admissions requirements, and students with a GPA below 2.0 may be placed on academic probation. Students here have the opportunity to earn credit for military and work experience.
Average GPA accepted: Not reported
Acceptance rate: 100%
In-state tuition: $329 per credit
Out-of-state tuition: $329 per credit
3. Empire State University
Empire State University offers undergraduate and graduate programs primarily online. It's part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and is located in Saratoga Springs, NY.
SUNY Empire is open admissions, requiring only a high school diploma or GED for undergraduate students. It does not require a minimum GPA, nor does it require standardized test scores, essays, or letters of recommendation.
Average GPA accepted: Not reported
Acceptance rate: 100%
In-state tuition: $295 per credit
Out-of-state tuition: $353 per credit
4. Excelsior University
Online associate, bachelor's, and master's programs are available through Excelsior University. The school has an open admissions policy for most programs, with the exception of the nursing degrees.
Excelsior University, based in Albany, NY, is a nonprofit online institution. Other fields of study here include business, health sciences, liberal arts, public service, and technology.
Average GPA accepted: Not reported
Acceptance rate: 100%
In-state tuition: $510 per credit
Out-of-state tuition: $510 per credit
5. Franklin University
Franklin University is a private, nonprofit school in Columbus, OH. It offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus and online.
The school's open admissions policy only requires students to have a high school diploma or equivalent and to be fluent in English. Franklin's programs are designed for working adults; they're highly flexible and accept a high number of transfer credits.
Average GPA accepted: Not reported
Acceptance rate: 100%
In-state tuition: $398 per credit
Out-of-state tuition: $398 per credit
6. National University
Students at National University can earn undergraduate or graduate degrees in person and online. The school has an open admissions policy for those with a high school diploma or equivalent. Transfer students must have a GPA of 2.0 or above.
National University, a private nonprofit school, is based in San Diego, CA. It accepts a high number of transfer credits as well as offering credit for things like military training and work experience.
Average GPA accepted: Not reported
Acceptance rate: 100%
In-state tuition: $370 per credit
Out-of-state tuition: $370 per credit
7. Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University offers a variety of associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The private nonprofit school offers classes on its Manchester campus but is best known for its wide array of online programs.
There is no minimum GPA for undergraduate students, and SAT and ACT scores are optional. Students applying to learn on campus will need to submit a letter of recommendation.
Average GPA accepted: 3.2
Acceptance rate: 96%
In-state tuition: $330 per credit
Out-of-state tuition: $330 per credit
8. Southern University at New Orleans
Undergraduate and graduate programs are available in both in-person and online formats at Southern University at New Orleans. Students who have completed the Louisiana Board of Regents' high school 19-unit core curriculum or equivalent can be accepted with a GPA of 2.0 or above.
SUNO, located in New Orleans, is a public institution. Students will need to either submit standardized test scores or take the Accuplacer as part of their college application. Those who have not completed the 19-unit core curriculum will need minimum test scores to be accepted.
Average GPA accepted: 2.4
Acceptance rate: 60%
In-state tuition: $375 per credit
Out-of-state tuition: $375 per credit
9. UMass Global
UMass Global is a private, nonprofit, online affiliate of the public University of Massachusetts. However, it's located in Aliso Viejo, CA, and has an open admissions policy.
Students must submit their high school diploma or equivalent but do not need a minimum high school GPA. Certain programs may have additional requirements, however. The university offers online undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields like business, computer science, and education.
Average GPA accepted: Not reported
Acceptance rate: 100%
In-state tuition: $500 per credit
Out-of-state tuition: $500 per credit
10. University of Maryland Global Campus
Through the University of Maryland Global Campus, students can earn associate through doctoral degrees online. The university has an open admissions policy for students with a high school diploma.
UMGC is the online campus of the public University of Maryland System. In addition to not requiring a minimum GPA, it also does not require SAT or ACT scores as part of the application process.
Average GPA accepted: Not reported
Acceptance rate: 100%
In-state tuition: $324 per credit
Out-of-state tuition: $499 per credit
How We Rank Schools
To choose the schools on this list, we started by focusing on four-year colleges that are public or private nonprofit. Then we looked at:
- Accreditation: Every school on this list is regionally accredited.
- GPA requirement: All schools accept students with a GPA of 2.2
- Acceptance rates: We focused on schools with high acceptance rates to increase chances of admission.
College Admissions for Students With 2.2 GPAs
A 2.2 GPA is on the lower end of what colleges typically accept. Depending on the school you choose, you may need to supplement your GPA with things like standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, or personal statements to help boost your chances of acceptance.
Another good option is to look for institutions with open enrollment policies. These are colleges that accept everyone as long as they meet the school's minimum requirements, which are usually just a high school diploma or equivalent.
How Can You Improve an Average GPA?
If you're still in high school, there may still be time for you to earn a higher GPA. Study hard and request help from teachers or tutoring if needed.
You can also supplement your academic performance by sharpening up other parts of your application, like:
- participating in extracurricular activities
- scoring high on the ACT or SAT
- getting glowing letters of recommendation
- writing a compelling personal statement
If there isn't enough time for you to fix your high school GPA, consider a college with open admissions, like those listed above, or a community college. Spend a year or two focused on coursework and improving your GPA before transferring to a four-year college or a more selective university.
FAQs About Colleges Accepting Students With Low GPAs
Applying to colleges can feel a little scary. Below, we've answered some FAQs about getting into college with a 2.2 GPA to help you out.
Is a 2.2 GPA Good?
A 2.2 isn't a GPA that will get you into a top university, but it's not going to prevent you from pursuing higher education either. A GPA of 2.2 isn't considered good, but it's still a passing grade and can earn you a spot at less competitive colleges.
What Colleges Accept Students With a 2.2 GPA?
Most schools with minimum GPA requirements set these between a 2.0 and 2.5. Others may have stricter requirements, while some have no minimum at all.
All of the schools listed above accept students with a 2.2 GPA. There are other schools that accept lower GPAs as well, including community colleges, some state universities, and schools with open admissions policies.
What Are My Options With a Low GPA?
Even with a low GPA, you have plenty of options. As mentioned above, several colleges accept students with a low GPA.
Once you're accepted to college, your high school GPA doesn't really matter anymore. If you work hard to get good grades in college, you can pursue the program of your choice or even move on to graduate school.
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