10 Colleges That Accept 2.0 GPA in 2025

High school students have a lot to think about when applying for colleges - participating in extracurricular activities, gathering letters of recommendation, and writing college essays are just a few. One thing that students know colleges are looking at is grade point average (GPA), but not all students can achieve a 4.0.

Luckily, many colleges are willing to accept a less-than-stellar GPA. Often, the best colleges that accept a low GPA don't require extensive applications, either. Keep reading to discover some of the top colleges that accept a 2.0 GPA.

Colleges and Universities That Accept a 2.0 GPA

There are multiple colleges that accept C students in the U.S. A C isn't a bad grade, necessarily, it's just not a great one, and many colleges are willing to accept students that hover around this mark.

Some of these are colleges that accept everyone, while many colleges set a 2.0 as the lowest GPA they'll accept. Keep reading to discover colleges and universities that accept a 2.0 GPA.

1. Alabama A&M University

Alabama A&M University is one of many Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This public school is located in Huntsville, AL. It has a minimum GPA requirement of 2.0, although it is willing to accept students with a lower GPA on conditional acceptance.

The university offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, with some graduate degrees available online. Areas of study include:

• business
• education
• natural sciences
• technology

Alabama A&M is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Tuition for in-state undergraduate students is roughly $10,024 per year, while tuition for out-of-state undergraduate students is about $18,634.

2. Charter Oak State College

At Charter Oak State College, nearly all students are accepted thanks to the school's open admissions policy. Students only need a high school diploma or equivalent; there is no minimum GPA or test score requirement.

This public online college, based in New Britain, CT, is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). It's a great option for those returning to school as it offers multiple alternative ways for students to earn college credit.

Charter Oak offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields like business administration, criminal justice, and healthcare. The tuition rate for undergraduate programs is $329 per credit hour.

3. Columbia College

Columbia College is another institution that offers open admissions and has no minimum GPA requirement for online, nationwide, or evening students. The private nonprofit school is headquartered in Columbus, MO, but has several campuses throughout the country.

Students can start as freshmen, transfer college credits, or receive credit for military or work experience. Associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees are available in areas of study such as business, education, humanities, and nursing.

Columbia College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Tuition for undergraduate students studying online or nationwide is $375 per credit, and the college provides textbooks at no cost.

4. Empire State University

The open admissions policy at Empire State University has no minimum GPA requirement. Students just need to have a high school diploma or equivalent - test scores are not required either.

Empire State University is a public institution in Saratoga Springs, NY. It's accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

It offers online degrees in fields like business, liberal arts, and psychology. Undergraduate tuition is $295 per credit hour for New York residents and $353 for out-of-state students.

5. Franklin University

Franklin University is a private, nonprofit institution in Columbus, OH, primarily geared toward adult and nontraditional students. It has an open admissions policy with no minimum GPA for associate and bachelor's degrees.

Most students at Franklin earn their degrees online. The school offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in areas of study such as business administration, computer science, and psychology.

Tuition for undergraduate programs is $398 per credit hour. The school is accredited by the HLC and offers several ways for students to earn credit toward their degree, including accepting up to 90 transfer credits.

6. National University

Students at National University are automatically admitted if they have a high school diploma and a high school GPA of at least 2.0. Students with a lower GPA may be admitted on a probationary basis with the approval of the admissions committee.

National University is based in San Diego and is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WASCUC). Most students at this private nonprofit institution study online.

The school offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields like education, healthcare, and technology. The tuition rate varies by program, but most undergraduate programs cost $370 per credit hour.

7. Southern New Hampshire University

While Southern New Hampshire University doesn't have open admissions, it does accept up to 94% of applicants, meaning even those with a low GPA have a good chance of admission. There is no minimum GPA requirement for online students at SNHU.

The nonprofit private school is located in Manchester, NH, and is accredited by the NECHE. It's best known for its range of online programs, including associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees.

The tuition for undergraduate programs at SNHU is $330 per credit hour. The school is especially geared toward returning students and it accepts up to 90 transfer credits for bachelor's degree programs.

8. Southern University at New Orleans

Students who have completed the Louisiana Board of Regents high school 19-unit core curriculum only need a GPA of 2.0 to be admitted to Southern University at New Orleans. Those who have only taken some of the courses will need to meet additional admission requirements: either a higher GPA or minimum SAT/ACT scores.

SUNO is a public HBCU in New Orleans and it's accredited by the SACSCOC. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees on campus and online in fields like criminal justice, nursing, and psychology. Full-time, in-state students on campus pay $4,002 per semester, while those studying online pay $4,944.

9. University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland Global Campus is the online campus of the public University System of Maryland. It has open college admissions and does not set a minimum GPA requirement.

Students can earn associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees online at UMGC. The school also has a very generous transfer policy. Areas of study include:

• business
• computer science
• education
• liberal arts

UMGC is accredited by the MSCHE. Tuition is $324 per credit hour for Maryland residents and $499 for out-of-state residents in undergraduate degree programs.

10. University of Massachusetts Global

Through the University of Massachusetts Global, students can be accepted regardless of their GPA thanks to the school's open admissions process. They only need to submit a high school transcript or equivalent; no ACT/SAT scores are required.

UMass Global is a private, nonprofit affiliate of the public University of Massachusetts Global. As it's based in Aliso Viejo, CA, it's accredited by the WASCUC.

Students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields like business, education, and technology. Tuition for most undergraduate programs is $500 per credit hour.

How We Rank Schools

To choose the list of colleges that accept an average GPA, we focused on:

• Accreditation: Every college and university on this list is regionally accredited.
• GPA Requirement: Schools on this list either have no minimum GPA or have a minimum GPA of 2.0.
• Acceptance Rates: Most schools we included have open admissions or high acceptance rates.
• School Type: We only included four-year institutions that are public or nonprofit private.

Tips on Finding Colleges With Low GPA Requirements

There are a few things you can do to find colleges that have low GPA requirements. Start by looking for open admissions colleges, these are the easiest colleges to get into with a low GPA.

You can also look for colleges that aren't necessarily open admission but still have high acceptance rates. Both the National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard allow you to search by acceptance rate. From there, you can look at the admissions criteria for high acceptance schools.

If you're still struggling to find schools that will accept your college application, you can pursue an associate degree through a community college. Community colleges typically have low admissions requirements, and once you've boosted your GPA, you can transfer into a four-year college.

FAQs About Colleges That Accept a Low GPA

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about colleges that accept low GPAs.

Is a 2.0 GPA Good?

A 2.0 GPA isn't considered ''good'', but it's not terrible either. The national average GPA in the U.S. is just over 3.0, or a B average. A 2.0 GPA is about a C average.

Will a College Accept a 2.0 GPA?

Several colleges, including those listed above, will accept a 2.0 GPA. However, for many colleges, a 2.0 GPA is the minimum they will accept, and you should work to improve your GPA in your college coursework.

What Is the Lowest GPA a College Will Accept?

The lowest GPA a college will accept depends on the college. We listed several schools above that don't have a minimum GPA. The rest had a 2.0 minimum. Meanwhile, there are other schools in the U.S. that have a minimum of 3.0, or sometimes an even higher minimum.

Find Colleges That Accept a 2.0 GPA Near You

Find a good college that will accept a 2.0 GPA by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual colleges to speak with admissions officers and learn more about enrollment and financial aid.