Don’t give up just yet if you’re concerned about your GPA and believe you might not be able to complete a master’s program in the United States! In the USA, a number of universities offer master’s programs that accept low GPAs, allowing individuals with lesser academic standing to pursue further education. Many of these universities also take into account your personal statement, GRE scores, and professional experience. Therefore, there is still a way for you to pursue your studies in the US even if your GPA isn’t flawless! To find out more about US institutions that accept master’s degrees with low GPAs and how to improve your application, keep reading this blog.
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Table of Contents
A thorough breakdown of GPA categories is provided below to help you understand where you stand academically and identify the opportunities for pursuing a Master’s degree in the USA, even with a low GPA.
| US Degree Classification | Grade/Percentage | GPA |
| First-Class Honours (First or 1st) – Very Good GPA | Grade A or 90% or above | 3.7-4.0 |
| Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1) – Good GPA | Grade B or 80-89% | 2.7-3.6 |
| Lower Second-Class Honours (2:2) – Low GPA | Grade C or 70-79% | 1.7-2.6 |
| Third-Class Honours (Third or 3rd) – Very Low GPA | Grade D or 60-69% | 1.0-1.6 |
For foreign students, discovering American universities that accept low GPAs for master’s degrees can be a game-changer. It is well known that these universities consider things like relevant professional experience, personal statements, and GRE scores.
It’s crucial to remember, too, that some universities could need a higher GPA for prestigious programs like business administration or computer science. This is the average GPA that some US universities require for master’s degrees.
| University | GPA Required |
| University of Michigan at Flint | 3.0 |
| University of Maine at Presque Isle | 3.0 |
| University of Maryland Eastern Shore | 2.5 – 3.0 |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | 2.7 – 3.0 |
| University of Minnesota Crookston | 3.0 – 3.5 |
| University of Pittsburgh at Bradford | 3.3 |
| University of South Carolina Beaufort | 2.0 – 3.5 |
| University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | 3.0 – 3.5 |
| University of Texas at Tyler | 3.0 – 3.3 |
| University of Washington Tacoma | 3.0 – 3.4 |
| University of Wisconsin Parkside | 3.0 |
| University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | 3.0 – 3.2 |
| Indiana University Northwest | 3.0 |
| Louisiana State University Shreveport | 2.5 – 3.0 |
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If you’re wondering which universities in the USA accept a 2.0 GPA for master’s programs, here is a helpful list to guide you. These universities accept students with a 2.0 GPA only in certain courses. Therefore, always check the official university website to ensure your marks align with the requirements.
Here’s your table with the universities and their GPA requirements:
| # | University Name | GPA Required |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Maryland Eastern Shore | 2.5+ |
| 2 | Oakwood University | 2.5+ |
| 3 | Stillman College | 2.5+ |
| 4 | Talladega College | 2.0+ |
| 5 | University of Alaska Southeast | 2.5+ |
| 6 | University of Arkansas at Monticello | 2.0+ |
| 7 | Arkansas Baptist College | 2.0+ |
| 8 | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | 2.5+ |
| 9 | Lincoln University | 2.0+ |
| 10 | Northwestern Polytechnic University | 2.0+ |
| 11 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | 2.5+ |
| 12 | Post University | 2.0+ |
| 13 | Beacon College | 2.5+ |
| 14 | Bethune-Cookman University | 2.5+ |
| 15 | Carlos Albizu University – Miami | 2.5+ |
| 16 | Edward Waters College | 2.0+ |
| 17 | Florida Memorial University | 2.4+ |
| 18 | Webber International University | 2.5+ |
| 19 | Fort Valley State University | 2.0+ |
| 20 | Life University | 2.5+ |
| 21 | Luther Rice University | 2.0+ |
| 22 | Savannah State University | 2.0+ |
| 23 | East-West University | 2.0+ |
| 24 | Governors State University | 2.5+ |
| 25 | National Louis University | 2.0+ |
| 26 | Northeastern Illinois University | 2.5+ |
| 27 | University of Dubuque | 2.5+ |
| 28 | William Penn University | 2.0+ |
| 29 | Kentucky State University | 2.5+ |
| 30 | Dillard University | 2.5+ |
| 31 | Grambling State University | 2.0+ |
| 32 | Southern University at New Orleans | 2.0+ |
| 33 | Bowie State University | 2.5+ |
| 34 | Coppin State University | 2.5+ |
| 35 | University of Baltimore | 2.5+ |
| 36 | Finlandia University | 2.0+ |
| 37 | Mississippi Valley State University | 2.0+ |
| 38 | Harris-Stowe State University | 2.5+ |
| 39 | Lincoln University | 2.0+ |
| 40 | Montana State University—Northern | 2.5+ |
| 41 | Shaw University | 2.0+ |
| 42 | Central State University | 2.2+ |
| 43 | Langston University | 2.2+ |
| 44 | Cheyney University of Pennsylvania | 2.0+ |
| 45 | Bayamon Central University | 2.0+ |
| 46 | Caribbean University | 2.0+ |
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| # | University Name | GPA Required | Admission Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Maryland Eastern Shore | 2.5+ | SAT/ACT optional, transcripts required |
| 2 | Oakwood University | 2.5+ | Faith-based institution, requires personal statement |
| 3 | Stillman College | 2.5+ | Open to all majors, SAT/ACT optional |
| 4 | Talladega College | 2.0+ | Personal statement and transcripts required |
| 5 | University of Alaska Southeast | 2.5+ | SAT/ACT recommended, flexible admissions |
| 6 | University of Arkansas at Monticello | 2.0+ | Open admissions, transcripts required |
| 7 | Arkansas Baptist College | 2.0+ | Open admissions, faith-based institution |
| 8 | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | 2.5+ | SAT/ACT recommended, transcripts required |
| 9 | Lincoln University | 2.0+ | Standard admissions, SAT/ACT optional |
| 10 | Northwestern Polytechnic University | 2.0+ | STEM-focused, international-friendly |
| 11 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | 2.5+ | SAT/ACT optional, holistic review process |
| 12 | Post University | 2.0+ | Open admissions, online programs available |
| 13 | Beacon College | 2.5+ | Specializes in learning disabilities, essay required |
| 14 | Bethune-Cookman University | 2.5+ | HBCU, faith-based, holistic admissions |
| 15 | Carlos Albizu University – Miami | 2.5+ | Bilingual programs, psychology-focused |
| 16 | Edward Waters College | 2.0+ | Open admissions, HBCU institution |
| 17 | Florida Memorial University | 2.4+ | SAT/ACT recommended, HBCU institution |
| 18 | Webber International University | 2.5+ | Business-focused, SAT/ACT optional |
| 19 | Fort Valley State University | 2.0+ | SAT/ACT optional, HBCU institution |
| 20 | Life University | 2.5+ | Specializes in health sciences, SAT/ACT optional |
| 21 | Luther Rice University | 2.0+ | Faith-based institution, essay required |
| 22 | Savannah State University | 2.0+ | HBCU, holistic admissions, SAT/ACT optional |
| 23 | East-West University | 2.0+ | Open admissions, international-friendly |
| 24 | Governors State University | 2.5+ | SAT/ACT optional, holistic review |
| 25 | National Louis University | 2.0+ | Open admissions, essay required |
| 26 | Northeastern Illinois University | 2.5+ | SAT/ACT optional, holistic admissions |
| 27 | University of Dubuque | 2.5+ | Christian-affiliated, SAT/ACT optional |
| 28 | William Penn University | 2.0+ | Open admissions, transcripts required |
| 29 | Kentucky State University | 2.5+ | HBCU, SAT/ACT optional |
| 30 | Dillard University | 2.5+ | HBCU, SAT/ACT recommended |
| 31 | Grambling State University | 2.0+ | Open admissions, HBCU institution |
| 32 | Southern University at New Orleans | 2.0+ | HBCU, flexible admissions |
| 33 | Bowie State University | 2.5+ | HBCU, SAT/ACT recommended |
| 34 | Coppin State University | 2.5+ | HBCU, holistic admissions |
| 35 | University of Baltimore | 2.5+ | SAT/ACT optional, business-focused |
| 36 | Finlandia University | 2.0+ | Open admissions, transcripts required |
| 37 | Mississippi Valley State University | 2.0+ | HBCU, SAT/ACT optional |
| 38 | Harris-Stowe State University | 2.5+ | HBCU, SAT/ACT recommended |
| 39 | Lincoln University | 2.0+ | Open admissions, SAT/ACT optional |
| 40 | Montana State University—Northern | 2.5+ | SAT/ACT optional, STEM-focused |
| 41 | Shaw University | 2.0+ | HBCU, holistic review process |
| 42 | Central State University | 2.2+ | HBCU, SAT/ACT optional |
| 43 | Langston University | 2.2+ | HBCU, open admissions |
| 44 | Cheyney University of Pennsylvania | 2.0+ | HBCU, flexible admissions |
| 45 | Bayamon Central University | 2.0+ | Spanish-speaking institution, open admissions |
| 46 | Caribbean University | 2.0+ | Open admissions, bilingual programs |
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Even though your GPA may be low, it doesn’t imply you can’t get into an international university. When applying to a university in the United States, keep these points in mind:
Depending on the degree and the university you are applying to, different documents will be needed. The typical documentation needed are as follows:
Note that all academic transcripts should officially be translated into English.
For a variety of reasons, international students from all over the world choose the USA. Numerous internationally recognized colleges with a wealth of growth prospects call it home. Additionally, you have the opportunity to practice with the greatest equipment available, which will enhance your learning experience.
With rent excluded, the average monthly cost of living in the United States is around USD 1,164. Depending on the area and kind of lodging, rent in the USA usually varies between USD 950 and USD 3,000 per month.
Many American institutions will accept students with a GPA of 2.0, depending on the course. Talladega College, Stillman College, Oakwood University, and Maryland Eastern Shore are a few well-known universities.
Universities in the United States that accept master’s degrees with low GPAs include Arkansas Baptist College, Albany State University, Alabama State University, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Yes, with a poor GPA, you can still pursue a master’s degree in the United States. Particularly if you have other good points, such as relevant work experience, high test scores, or an engaging statement of purpose, some colleges will admit students with lower GPAs.
While it is feasible, it can be difficult to gain admission in the United States with a GPA of 2.2. Although some colleges might accept applicants with a 2.2 GPA, you’ll probably need to submit a compelling application along with extra credentials, such as a high GRE or GMAT score or relevant work experience.
A 2.5 GPA is on the lower end of the spectrum for most US universities, but some may still accept it if you can show additional qualities, such as a good recommendation letter or exceptional work experience.
Read Also: Universities in Australia that Accept HND, Second Class and Third Class for Masters
This post was last modified on February 28, 2025 1:50 pm