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.

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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.

Other Ways Into College

No diploma, no test scores, or a record? Accredited colleges have admissions routes for each of these situations.

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

Psychology and Social Work Programs

Healthcare Administration Programs

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

GPA and MCAT for med school

How to get in · Schools that accept low GPAs

Law school

GPA for law school

How to get in

PA school

GPA for PA school

How to get in · Schools that accept low GPAs

Nursing school

GPA for nursing school

How to get in · Programs that accept low GPAs

NP school

GPA for NP school

How to get in

Pharmacy school

GPA for pharmacy school

How to get in

Dental school

GPA for dental school

How to get in

Vet school

GPA for vet school

How to get in

Optometry school

GPA for optometry school

How to get in

PT school

GPA for PT school

How to get in · PT schools with no GRE

Business school

GPA for business school

How to get in

Trade school

GPA for 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

Health and Medicine

Business, Science, Social Science and Education

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

Engineering and Academia

Other Careers

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.

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