Is a 2.6 GPA Good? Best Colleges That Accept a 2.6 GPA

Perhaps you aren't sure whether your high school grade point average (GPA) will allow you to attend even a state university. Many high school graduates with a 2.6 GPA may believe they might not qualify for higher education enrollment; however, this isn't true as there are many colleges that accept a 2.6 GPA. There is much more to college applications than a GPA.

So, don't let average grades deter your college dreams. Consider some of the easiest colleges to get into with a low GPA.

What Is a 2.6 GPA?

A 2.6 GPA is about the same as being a C+ student. It means you received more grades of ''B'' or higher than otherwise.

Many college admissions teams also consider the difficulty in a student's coursework rather than just the raw GPA number. Plus, the good news is there are several colleges for C students, making a 2.6 GPA far from hopeless.

Schools That Accept a 2.6 GPA

We've included 10 universities that deliver a fine education in areas like the liberal arts, computer science, humanities, education, and even vocational training. Your chances of admission into these programs are still decent, with about a 2.6 GPA.

1. New England College

Let's start with New England College, which has a 100% acceptance rate. Although its tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students, it still falls somewhat below the national average. It also has convenient rolling admissions and does not require test scores or application fees.

Average GPA accepted: 2.85

Acceptance rate: 100%

In-state tuition: $12,500 per year

Out-of-state tuition: $12,500 per year

2. Upper Iowa University

Upper Iowa has a somewhat higher average GPA but no mandatory requirements. Prospective students can make up the difference by submitting higher American College Testing (ACT) scores. It also gives Iowa residents an attractive option with its competitive tuition rates.

Average GPA accepted: 3.34

Acceptance rate: 64.9%

In-state tuition: $10,787

Out-of-state tuition: $28,881

3. Franklin University

Franklin has standard tuition rates for both in-state and out-of-state applicants. This means anyone can take advantage of its online bachelor's programs in fields like accounting, cyber security, and criminal justice. They also claim that 90% of students submit transfer credits from other institutions.

Average GPA accepted: 2.97

Acceptance rate: 61%

In-state tuition: $398 per credit hour

Out-of-state tuition: $398 per credit hour

4. Liberty University

Liberty is a great option for former military personnel � it also has a 99% acceptance rate. The school charges only $390 per credit hour for non-military students and $250 for veterans. It has one of the largest offerings of online programs for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as other certifications.

Average GPA accepted: Between 3.15 and 3.83

Acceptance rate: 99%

In-state tuition: $390 per credit hour

Out-of-state tuition: $390 per credit hour

5. University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland has offered distance education and other academic resources to non-traditional students for a long time. It has an open admissions process and only requires a cumulative GPA of 2.0. The admissions board does not require ACT scores or Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores � only a high school diploma.

Average GPA accepted: 4.45 (weighted)

Acceptance rate: Roughly 100%

In-state tuition: $324 per credit hour

Out-of-state tuition: $324 per credit hour

6. National University

National University requires only a 2.0 GPA for undergraduate admission. It does have a somewhat competitive acceptance rate of 55% but candidates with a C+ average can still be accepted. Students have access to several academic programs and can apply for scholarships to reduce tuition costs and fees.

Average GPA accepted: 2.0 (minimum required)

Acceptance rate: 55%

In-state tuition: $13,284

Out-of-state tuition: $13,284

7. Montana State University Billings

Montana State accepts almost all applicants. It has many associate and bachelor's degrees that allow students to explore marketable fields such as chemistry, accounting, criminal justice, and health administration. The university also awards about $1.8 million in scholarships annually.

Average GPA accepted: 3.05

Acceptance rate: 100%

In-state tuition: $7,220

Out-of-state tuition: $22,691

8. University of Arizona

The University of Arizona has a relatively high GPA among accepted applicants but it still admits 86% of students to its undergraduate degree programs. About 64% of students graduate with bachelor's degrees and most students pay for college by utilizing scholarships, federal work-study, and undergraduate grants.

Average GPA accepted: 3.4

Acceptance rate: 86%

In-state tuition: $13,900

Out-of-state tuition: $43,100

9. California State University East Bay

This is one of the easiest admissions processes and has the lowest tuition rates among public universities in California. This university will accept a lower GPA if you show you took several difficult courses, have a first-generational family status, or come from a poor background. It has several fully online bachelor's programs, allowing students to complete coursework more conveniently.

Average GPA accepted: 3.2

Acceptance rate: 97%

In-state tuition: $7,583 per year

Out-of-state tuition: $420 per unit

10. Bellevue University

Bellevue also accepts almost 100% of its applicants. It only requires proof of graduation to gain admission and grants lower tuition rates for former military students. The school furnishes 80 online bachelor's programs along with other online master's degrees and associate degrees.

Average GPA accepted: N/A (2.0 required)

Acceptance rate: About 100%

In-state tuition: $459 per credit hour (online)

Out-of-state tuition: $339 per credit hour (on-campus)

How We Rank Schools

How did we rank the schools on this list? Each university must meet the following standards.

• Accreditation: This list only includes accredited colleges.
• GPA requirement: It includes schools that will accept students with a 2.6 GPA.
• Acceptance rates: These programs have higher acceptance rates to accommodate students with lower than average GPA.

College Admissions Process for 2.6-GPA Students

A 2.6 GPA is only one of several college admissions factors. Admissions officers take the weighted GPAs and unweighted GPAs into consideration, combining them with other criteria such as ACT/SAT scores, strong personal statements, and whether students improved by senior year. This means you shouldn't dismiss your chances of admission if your academic performance was less than perfect early in high school.

Strategies To Improve Average GPAs

If you still haven't graduated, there is time to raise your GPA and make your application more attractive to college admissions officers. There are many college preparatory services that help students improve study habits and boost their chances of getting into college. Other strategies for improving a low GPA include:

• attending classes regularly
• asking teachers for more assistance
• hiring a private tutor
• addressing issues distracting from academic success

It's also possible to improve your academic profile by attending community college first before applying for the more competitive degree programs. Many successful college graduates have done this after initially struggling to get into college.

FAQs About Colleges That Accept Students With Low GPAs

Here are a few frequently asked questions related to GPA standards and how to transfer to and from schools.

Is a 2.6 GPA Good?

Since 'good' is a subjective term, it may be better to ask whether a 2.6 GPA is sufficient for college entry. This article has shown that it is high enough because there are universities that will accept it.

There are also ways to overcome a lower high school GPA. You can offset it by scoring higher on standardized tests, participating in more extracurricular activities, taking internships, or obtaining strong letters of recommendation.

Can I Transfer With a 2.6 GPA?

Yes, many schools will accept this GPA for transfer purposes. While it may not qualify you to get into an elite university, many state colleges will consider you.

You can also spend more time attending a two-year college, build a better GPA, and enjoy even better transfer options. Most four-year universities won't place as much emphasis on your low high school GPA if you can submit significantly better community college grades.

What Is the Lowest GPA a College Will Accept?

This depends on each institution's GPA requirements. Many college admissions boards say they will not accept students with a GPA below a certain threshold, such as 2.0.

Fortunately, you can still get into college with a low GPA, provided you know where to apply. There is no minimum GPA for several colleges that accept everyone regardless of grades or test scores.

Pursue Higher Education Today

Higher education is accessible to almost everyone as long as you know how to find the right programs. Learn.org provides resources so you can get into accredited universities and reach your academic dreams with affordable tuition and online learning options.