10 Nursing Schools That Accept Low TEAS Scores

A low Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) score can feel like it's closed a door before you've even applied, but that's not always true. A number of nursing programs with flexible admissions publish minimums well below what most students assume is required, some in the high 50s, and one on this list doesn't require the TEAS at all.

Below, you'll find 10 nursing schools with real, published TEAS requirements at the lower end of the scale, along with what "low" actually means in context and how to strengthen the rest of your application if your score isn't where you'd like it to be.

What Is a Good TEAS Score?

ATI, the organization behind the TEAS, sorts scores into five bands: Developmental (below 40.7%), Basic (40.7%-58%), Proficient (58.7%-79.3%), Advanced (80%-91.3%), and Exemplary (92%-100%). Most nursing programs set their minimum somewhere in the Proficient range, with 58.7% representing the lowest score that clears that threshold.

There's no universal passing score, though, so "good" really depends on the specific program you're applying to. A 62% might comfortably clear one school's minimum while falling short at another that requires 75% or higher. It's also worth understanding that clearing a published minimum isn't the same as being competitive: many programs, especially community colleges with limited seats, rank applicants using a points-based formula that rewards higher scores even after the minimum is met, so a score right at the cutoff can still put you behind other applicants in a crowded pool.

Do Nursing Schools Accept Low TEAS Scores? 

Some nursing schools do accept low TEAS scores, and the pattern is fairly consistent: associate degree and community college nursing programs generally set lower TEAS minimums than university BSN or accelerated BSN programs. It's common to see ADN programs accept scores in the high 50s to low 60s, while BSN and ABSN programs often require 65% or higher, sometimes climbing into the 75-80% range at more competitive schools.

One nuance worth understanding before you count on a low composite minimum: some programs pair a low overall score requirement with a higher minimum in a specific section, most often Reading. A school might accept a 58.7% composite but still require a 70% Reading score, which means your overall average could clear the bar while one weak section still disqualifies you. The 10 schools below all have real, published minimums notably lower than the national program average, and it's worth checking each one's specific structure, composite versus section-level requirements, since that detail can matter as much as the headline number.

10 Nursing Schools With Low TEAS Score Requirements

Here's a closer look at 10 nursing programs with genuinely low, published TEAS requirements, along with one standout that doesn't require the exam at all. 

1. Albany State University 

Albany State University, a public university based in Albany, Georgia, with a second campus in Cordele, offers associate, baccalaureate, master's, and post-master's certificate nursing programs. The university is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and its nursing programs are accredited by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), with approval from the Georgia Board of Nursing.

Albany State requires a minimum overall TEAS score of 65% for its Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program; applicants can attempt the exam up to twice within a 12-month window. That threshold sits comfortably below the state's typical BSN requirements, making it a solid entry point for students focused on associate-level admission first.

2. College of the Canyons

College of the Canyons, a public community college in Santa Clarita, California, offers an ADN program approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), and its nursing program carries accreditation from ACEN. It’s one of the top community colleges for nursing.

Following the California Community College Chancellor's Office's standardized admissions formula, College of the Canyons requires a minimum TEAS score of just 62%. That score is only one part of a broader scholastic eligibility calculation, though, which also factors in science course GPA and the number of times a student has repeated core biology coursework.

3. Herzing University

Herzing University, a private, nonprofit institution founded in Milwaukee in 1965, offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at several of its campuses. Herzing is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and its nursing programs carry accreditation from the ACEN, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), or both, depending on the campus and degree level.

Herzing's New Orleans BSN program stands out for requiring a composite TEAS score of just 58, one of the lowest published minimums on this list. Applicants also need a minimum 2.5 GPA, and the TEAS score must be dated within two years of the anticipated matriculation date. 

4. Miami Dade College

Miami Dade College, a public college based in Miami, Florida, offers an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) through its Benjamin León School of Nursing at the Medical Campus. The college is institutionally accredited by SACSCOC, and its ASN program is accredited by ACEN.

The ASN program requires a minimum TEAS composite score of 60%, notably lower than the 74-81% range typical of Florida's university-level BSN programs. That gap makes Miami Dade College a meaningfully more accessible entry point for students in the state who are focused on associate-level admission first.

5. Prince George's Community College

Prince George's Community College, a public community college in Largo, Maryland, offers an ASN program. The college is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and its nursing program is accredited by ACEN, with approval from the Maryland Board of Nursing. 

PGCC requires a minimum overall TEAS score of 58.7%, but it's worth understanding the fine print: applicants also need a minimum Reading sub-score of 70%, meaning a strong composite score alone isn't enough if that specific section falls short. Prospective students must first meet with an Allied Health and Nursing petitioning advisor before applying, which is worth building into your application timeline.

6. Roseman University

Roseman University of Health Sciences is a private, nonprofit institution with nursing programs in Henderson, Nevada, and South Jordan, Utah, including a hybrid-online Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN). The university is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), and its nursing programs carry accreditation from CCNE.

Roseman requires a minimum TEAS score of 58.7%, the lowest score that still clears the "Proficient" threshold. That said, admission here is genuinely competitive: TEAS scores are reviewed alongside prerequisite grades and an interview, so meeting the minimum only gets an applicant into the broader review process rather than guaranteeing a spot. 

7. South Plains College

South Plains College, based in Levelland, Texas, offers both a Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) certificate and an ADN program. The college is institutionally accredited by SACSCOC, and its nursing program is accredited by ACEN.

South Plains has one of the more distinctive score structures on this list: Reading, English, and Math each require a minimum of 58.7%, but the Science section minimum is set notably lower, at just 50%. That structure means applicants with a strong composite but a weaker science background may still have a real path in, provided they clear each individual section threshold. 

8. Southwestern College

Southwestern College, a public community college based in Chula Vista, California, with a location in Otay Mesa, offers both a Vocational Nursing (VN) program and an ADN program, including a Step-Up LVN-to-ADN pathway. The college is institutionally accredited by the ACCJC, and its nursing program is accredited by ACEN.

Southwestern sets separate thresholds by program: a composite score below 62% for the ADN program or below 58% for the VN program triggers a required remediation plan before a student can reapply. That built-in remediation path is worth knowing about if your first attempt falls just short, since it gives you a structured way back into the application process rather than a dead end.

9. University of North Florida

The University of North Florida (UNF), one of the top colleges in Jacksonville, Florida, offers a Prelicensure BSN and a Freshman Admit Nursing (FAN) track through its School of Nursing. UNF is institutionally accredited by SACSCOC, and its nursing programs are accredited by CCNE.

UNF stands apart from every other school on this list: it removed the TEAS entrance exam requirement several years ago, and the HESI A2 has never been required for admission to its Prelicensure BSN tracks. Instead, UNF ranks candidates by prerequisite GPA and cumulative GPA, making it the one program here where a low or nonexistent TEAS score simply isn't part of the equation at all.

10. UTHealth Houston Cizik School of Nursing 

The Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston, part of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, offers a hybrid Pacesetter BSN along with RN-BSN and graduate nursing programs. The school is institutionally accredited by SACSCOC, and its baccalaureate, master's, and DNP programs are accredited by CCNE.

Cizik recommends a minimum TEAS score of just 60% for its Pacesetter BSN, one of the lower published benchmarks among BSN programs specifically. There's also a notable alternative path: students who complete their science prerequisites through Cizik's own Pre-Nursing Pathway can skip the TEAS requirement altogether, making this school relevant whether you're working with a low score or hoping to avoid the exam entirely.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university. Because this list is specifically about low TEAS score requirements, we weighted a few additional factors on top of the standard institutional data:

• A documented low or no TEAS requirement: Every school on this list has a publicly available minimum TEAS score at or near the low end of the "Proficient" range, or, in one case, no TEAS requirement at all.
• Accreditation: All schools are institutionally accredited, and every nursing program included is accredited by ACEN or CCNE.
• Program variety: We prioritized a mix of ADN, VN, ASN, and BSN pathways, so the list serves students at different points in their nursing education.
• Transparency: We noted where a school's requirement includes section-level minimums or a remediation path, so you know the full picture beyond just the composite score.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.  

How to Improve a Low TEAS Score

If your first attempt didn't land where you hoped, a few targeted steps can help before you retake it:

• Identify your weakest section first: A diagnostic practice test shows exactly where points are slipping away, so you can focus your remaining study time where it counts most.
• Prioritize Science if it's your weak spot: Anatomy & physiology questions make up a large share of the Science section, so concentrating there tends to move your score more than spreading study time evenly.
• Follow a required remediation plan if one applies: Several schools on this list, including Southwestern College and South Plains College, require a structured remediation plan before a retake, so treat that plan as real preparation rather than a formality.
• Respect the waiting period between attempts: Most schools require at least 30 days between TEAS attempts, so build that timeline into your application plans rather than assuming you can retest immediately.
• Use free or low-cost prep resources: ATI's own study materials, library resources, and practice tests can meaningfully raise your score without a significant financial investment. 

How to Strengthen Your Application With a Low TEAS Score

A low score doesn't have to define your whole application. A few things can help offset a low score and still get into nursing school:

• Focus on your prerequisite GPA: Strong grades in Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, and other prerequisites carry real weight, especially at schools that use a points-based, multi-criteria admissions formula rather than a hard TEAS cutoff.
• Gain relevant healthcare experience: Work or volunteer experience as a CNA, medical assistant, or EMT can demonstrate readiness in a way your test score alone doesn't capture.
• Apply to schools that rank holistically: Programs like the ones on this list, with genuinely low minimums or no exam requirement at all, are a smarter starting point than programs where your score would put you well behind a competitive applicant pool.
• Don't overlook section-specific requirements: If a school pairs a low composite minimum with a higher section score, like Prince George's Community College's 70% Reading requirement, make sure you're meeting every threshold, not just the overall average.
• Talk to an admissions advisor directly: Some programs, like South Plains College, require a meeting with a petitioning advisor before you can even apply, which is a good opportunity to understand exactly where you stand. 

FAQs About Nursing Schools That Accept Low TEAS Scores

Navigating a low TEAS score comes with a lot of practical questions. Here are answers to some of the most common ones.

Do All Nursing Schools Require the TEAS?

A number of respected programs have dropped the TEAS or HESI requirement entirely, relying instead on GPA, prerequisite coursework, and other measures of readiness. If a low score has you worried, it's worth exploring our list of nursing schools with no TEAS or HESI exam requirement alongside the low-score options here.

What Is Considered a Low TEAS Score?

There's no single number that qualifies as "low" across every program, but scores at or near the bottom of ATI's Proficient range (58.7%-79.3%) are generally on the lower end of what most nursing programs will accept. Several schools on this list, including Herzing University and South Plains College, publish minimums in the high 50s, notably below the 65-75% range typical of many BSN programs.

Can You Get Into Nursing School With a Basic or Low Proficient TEAS Score?

It's possible, though options narrow considerably below the Proficient range. A Basic score (40.7%-58%) falls short of most published minimums, even at the more accessible schools on this list, so retaking the exam after focused study is usually the more realistic path forward if your score lands there.

Do All Sections of the TEAS Need to Meet the Minimum, or Just the Composite?

Some programs only look at your overall composite score, while others, like Prince George's Community College and South Plains College, set separate minimums for individual sections like Reading or Science. Meeting the composite minimum doesn't guarantee you've cleared every section-specific requirement, so it's worth checking both.

How Many Times Can You Retake the TEAS?

Most schools allow up to three attempts within a 12-month period, with a required waiting period, often 30 days, between attempts. Some programs, including several on this list, require a structured remediation plan before you're eligible to retest, so check your specific school's retake policy before scheduling another attempt.

Do ADN Programs Really Require Lower TEAS Scores Than BSN Programs?

Associate degree and community college nursing programs tend to set minimums in the high 50s to mid-60s, while university BSN and accelerated BSN programs more often require 65% or higher, sometimes climbing into the 75-80% range at competitive schools. It's a consistent enough pattern that ADN programs are usually the more accessible starting point for students working with a lower score.

Find Your Perfect Nursing Program

A low TEAS score doesn't have to close the door on nursing school, especially with real, published minimums like these available at accredited programs across the country. To learn more, explore the resources and programs featured on Learn.org, and always confirm a specific school's current TEAS policy and competitive average directly before you apply.