Liberty University vs. American InterContinental University: Low GPA (2.0–2.5) Graduate Program Comparison
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Overview
For students with GPAs between 2.0 and 2.5 seeking graduate education—whether master’s degrees, doctoral programs, or graduate certificates—finding an accredited institution with accessible admission requirements is essential. Both Liberty University and American InterContinental University (AIU) accept graduate students with lower GPAs and provide flexible online learning options. However, these institutions differ significantly in program scope, accreditation depth, student outcomes, and overall value. This comparison examines both schools’ graduate offerings across key metrics to help prospective graduate students make an informed decision.
Graduate GPA Requirements: Detailed Breakdown
Liberty University
Master’s Degree Programs: For Liberty University online graduate programs, the GPA requirement ranges from 2.5 – 3.25 for admission in good standing.
- Most Master’s Programs: 2.5 minimum GPA
- Nursing Programs (MSN): 3.0 minimum GPA
- Some Specialized Programs: Up to 3.25 minimum GPA
- Applicants with Graduate GPA’s of 2.80 to 2.99 are appeal-eligible.
Doctoral Programs: At least 30 semester hours of graduate business credit, as well as a regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree in business or a business-related field with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
- DBA (Doctor of Business Administration): 3.0 minimum graduate GPA
- EdD (Doctor of Education): 3.0 minimum GPA
- PhD Programs: 3.0–3.25 minimum GPA (varies by discipline)
- DMin (Doctor of Ministry): 2.5–3.0 minimum GPA
Graduate Certificate Programs: Our graduate certificate programs require a bachelor’s degree for admission – no master’s degree required. However, a master’s degree is required for admission to an Executive Certificate program.
- Most graduate certificates require a 2.0–2.5 minimum GPA
- Executive Certificates require a master’s degree
Source: Liberty University Admission Requirements
American InterContinental University
Master’s Degree Programs: AIU MBA applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution. Additionally, you must have earned a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.0 as part of AIU’s MBA GPA requirements for prospective applicants.
Applicants to AIU’s 1-year online MBA program must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution or from an internationally recognized foreign institution with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.0.
- All Master’s Programs: 2.0 minimum GPA
- No GMAT or GRE required
- No application essays required
- No letters of recommendation required
Doctoral Programs: AIU does not offer doctoral programs. Students seeking doctoral degrees would need to transfer to another institution after completing a master’s degree.
Graduate Certificate Programs: AIU offers limited certificate options, primarily at the undergraduate level with only 2 certificate programs available at the Atlanta campus.
Source: AIU MBA Requirements
Graduate Program Offerings Comparison
Liberty University Graduate Programs
Liberty offers an extensive range of graduate programs across multiple disciplines:
Master’s Degree Programs (200+):
- MBA (multiple specializations)
- MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP accredited)
- MEd in various specializations (CAEP accredited)
- MSN in Nursing (CCNE accredited)
- MA in Theological Studies (ATS accredited)
- MS in Criminal Justice
- MS in Cybersecurity
- MA in Strategic Communication
- And many more
Doctoral Programs (50+):
- PhD in Psychology, Counseling, Theology, and more
- EdD in Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction
- DBA in Leadership, Accounting, Healthcare Management
- DMin in Pastoral Counseling, Chaplaincy
- DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
- DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)
- JD (Juris Doctor)
Graduate Certificates (100+):
- Graduate Certificate in Business
- Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity
- Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Administration
- Executive Certificates (doctoral level)
- Post-graduate certificates in various specializations
Graduate certificate programs provide advanced, selective courses of study for professionals and students who want to broaden their expertise. A graduate certificate can potentially help you change jobs, advance your career, or prepare for a master’s degree. Courses in Liberty’s graduate certificates are transferable to related master’s programs.
Source: Liberty University Graduate Programs
American InterContinental University Graduate Programs
AIU offers a more limited selection of graduate programs focused on career-oriented fields:
Master’s Degree Programs (~14): Our online master’s degree programs include an MBA, a healthcare management degree program, and three concentrations in education and three in information technology.
- MBA (with multiple specializations)
- Master of Education (MEd) – AAQEP accredited
- MS in Information Technology (Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, IT Management)
- Master of Healthcare Management (MHCM)
Doctoral Programs:
- None offered
Graduate Certificates: American InterContinental University System offers Masters, Doctorate, Post-Bachelor’s Certificate graduate degree/certificate programs through 32 major areas – 14 Master’s (14 online programs), 6 Doctorate (6 online programs), 12 Post-Bachelor’s (12 online programs).
Note: The “6 Doctorate” programs referenced are offered through other institutions in the AIU System (such as Trident University International), not AIU itself. AIU’s graduate certificate offerings are limited.
Source: AIU Online Master’s Programs
Accreditation Comparison for Graduate Programs
Liberty University
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees, as well as certificates at approved degree levels.
Graduate-Level Programmatic Accreditations:
- ACBSP (Business programs including MBA, DBA)
- CACREP (Counseling programs – MA, PhD)
- CAEP (Education programs – MEd, EdD)
- CCNE (Nursing programs – MSN, DNP)
- ATS (Divinity/Seminary programs – MDiv, DMin, PhD)
- ABET (Engineering graduate programs)
- CEPH (Public Health – MPH)
Source: Liberty University Accreditation
American InterContinental University
American InterContinental University is a member of the American InterContinental University System. The System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Graduate-Level Programmatic Accreditations:
- ACBSP (Business programs including MBA)
- AAQEP (Master of Education program – through June 2026)
The business programs offered by American InterContinental University are ACBSP accredited. American InterContinental University is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). The Master of Education program has been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP through June 30, 2026.
Source: AIU Accreditation
Key Difference: Both institutions hold regional accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. However, Liberty holds significantly more programmatic accreditations for professional graduate programs (counseling, nursing, education, engineering, divinity), which may be critical for licensure and career advancement in regulated fields.
Graduate Student Outcomes
Liberty University
Graduate Retention and Completion: At Liberty University, the graduation rate is 65% within 150% normal time, the retention rate is 80%.
- Graduate programs generally show higher completion rates than undergraduate
- Strong support services for graduate students
- Career services and alumni network
Graduate Student Population:
- Over 49,000 graduate students enrolled
- Mix of online and residential students
- Strong military and working professional population
American InterContinental University
Graduate Retention and Completion: The overall retention rate for all AIU campuses is 51%.
At American InterContinental University System, the graduation rate is 9% within 150% normal time, the retention rate is 20%.
Note: These figures include all students; graduate-specific completion rates tend to be higher than undergraduate rates at for-profit institutions.
Graduate Student Population: AIU graduate schools have a total of 3,886 postgraduate students. By gender, it has 1,695 male and 2,191 female postgrad students.
1,140 students have been conferred Master’s degree and 368 students have received Doctorate degree last year.
Graduate Tuition and Costs Comparison
Liberty University
Graduate Tuition (2025-2026):
- Master’s programs: ~$490/credit hour
- Doctoral programs: ~$615/credit hour
- Executive Certificates: ~$615/credit hour
- Military discount: $290/credit hour (graduate), $375/credit hour (doctoral)
Most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.
Estimated Program Costs:
- MBA (36 credits): ~$17,640
- MEd (36 credits): ~$17,640
- EdD (60 credits): ~$36,900
- DBA (60 credits): ~$36,900
Source: Liberty University Tuition
American InterContinental University
Graduate Tuition (2024-2025): On campus undergraduate tuition is $317 per credit hour and graduate tuition is $584 per credit hour.
For the academic year 2023-2024, the average graduate school tuition & fees is $12,169.
Estimated Program Costs: The cost of getting an online MBA is $29,328. The online Master of Healthcare Management and the Master of Science in Information Technology degrees also cost $29,328.
- MBA (48 credits): ~$29,328
- MEd: ~$21,216
- MS in IT: ~$29,328
- MHCM: ~$29,328
Military Discounts: For its military community, AIU demonstrates appreciation in the form of a 45% tuition discount to active duty, reserves, and National Guard undergraduate students, plus grants for family members and veterans.
Source: AIU Admissions
Program Format and Flexibility
Liberty University
Format Options:
- 100% online for most graduate programs
- Residential options available
- Hybrid programs combining online and on-campus intensives
- 8-week course terms with 8 start dates per year
With the online delivery format, courses in a program are delivered to students through an online classroom experience that is flexible, personal, and challenging. Most programs are available 100% online. One common exception is with programs that have required intensives.
Intensives: Some programs require brief on-campus intensive sessions, particularly:
- Counseling programs
- Ministry programs
- Some doctoral programs
American InterContinental University
Format Options: Our convenient and flexible online graduate programs allow you to study when it’s most convenient for you, with the ability to read, listen to, or watch customized course content from any web-enabled device.
- 100% online for most master’s programs
- Campus options in Houston and Atlanta
- 5-week course sessions
- Multiple start dates throughout the year
Technology Features: Intellipath® allows you to personalize your learning plan and skip what you already know, providing a more efficient educational experience.
Standardized Test Requirements
Liberty University
Many of Liberty’s graduate programs do not require GRE, MCAT, or other testing scores for admission. View the webpage for your specific program of interest to learn more about what documents you’ll need in order to apply.
- Most Master’s Programs: No GRE/GMAT required
- Most Doctoral Programs: No GRE required (some exceptions)
- Professional Programs: May require specific exams (MCAT for DO, LSAT for JD)
American InterContinental University
No GMAT and no GRE are necessary.
GMAT scores, application essays, application fees, interviews, and letters of recommendation are often among the other preexisting requirements for an MBA degree that are set by admissions committees. But AIU offers a streamlined, more convenient application process that has been designed in the same spirit of flexibility offered by our online MBAs—which is why no GMAT, essays, application fees, or recommendations are necessary.
- All Master’s Programs: No GRE/GMAT required
- No application essays required
- No letters of recommendation required
Transfer Credit Policies for Graduate Students
Liberty University
Age of credit: 10 years for master’s-level and post-master’s (Education Specialist and Master of Theology) programs and 7 years for doctoral-level programs.
- Up to 50% of graduate program credits may be transferred
- Transfer credits must be from accredited institutions
- Minimum grade of B required for most graduate transfers
- Course content must match Liberty requirements by at least 80%
American InterContinental University
Certain students may even be able to receive course credit for qualifying work experience or transfer up to 12 credits toward their graduate degree.
- Up to 12 credits may transfer into graduate programs
- Individual evaluation process
- Credit for prior learning/work experience may be available
Graduate Program Duration
Liberty University
- Master’s Programs: 1.5–2 years (typical)
- Graduate Certificates: 6–12 months
- Doctoral Programs: 3–5 years
- Executive Certificates: 1 year
American InterContinental University
A master’s degree online is typically structured to take about 12 months, but your actual time to completion depends on transfer credits, course load (full- or part-time), and any scheduled breaks.
All of AIU’s online MBA programs are designed to be completed in one year or less.
- Master’s Programs: 11–12 months (accelerated)
- Graduate Certificates: Limited availability
Institution Type and Ownership
Liberty University
- Type: Private, Nonprofit
- Religious Affiliation: Christian (Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia)
- Founded: 1971 by Jerry Falwell Sr.
- Graduate Enrollment: 49,000+ students
American InterContinental University
American InterContinental University (AIU) is a private for-profit university with its headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois. It employs open admissions.
The System is owned by the for-profit company Perdoceo Education Corporation, publicly traded on the NASDAQ under PRDO and formerly known as Career Education Corporation (CEC).
- Type: Private, For-Profit
- Religious Affiliation: None
- Founded: 1970 in Switzerland
- Graduate Enrollment: ~4,000 students
Key Considerations for Low-GPA Graduate Students
Choose Liberty University If:
- You want access to 200+ master’s programs and 50+ doctoral programs
- You plan to pursue a doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, DBA, DMin, DNP)
- You need specialized programmatic accreditations for licensure (counseling, nursing, education)
- You value a nonprofit educational model
- You want the option for residential intensives
- You are comfortable with a Christian educational environment
- You want graduate certificates that lead directly to master’s or doctoral degrees
Choose American InterContinental University If:
- You need the lowest possible GPA requirement (2.0) for master’s admission
- You prefer an accelerated 12-month master’s program
- You want no application essays, recommendations, or standardized tests
- You are focused specifically on business, IT, education, or healthcare management
- You prefer a secular educational environment
- You do not plan to pursue a doctoral degree
- You want the most streamlined application process possible
Important Considerations for Graduate Students
Professional Licensure
Students pursuing graduate degrees that lead to professional licensure (counseling, teaching, nursing, etc.) should carefully verify that their chosen program meets state licensure requirements. Liberty’s programmatic accreditations (CACREP, CAEP, CCNE) are widely recognized for licensure purposes. AIU’s AAQEP accreditation for education is valid through June 2026; students should verify current status.
Doctoral Pathway
Students who may want to pursue a doctoral degree should note that AIU does not offer doctoral programs. While an AIU master’s degree could theoretically transfer to a doctoral program elsewhere, students with doctoral aspirations may benefit from starting at an institution that offers a complete pathway from master’s to doctorate.
Employer Recognition
Both institutions are regionally accredited, which is the gold standard for employer recognition. However, some employers may have preferences regarding for-profit vs. nonprofit institutions. Graduate students should research employer expectations in their target field.
Sources
- Liberty University Official Website – https://www.liberty.edu
- Liberty University Graduate Admissions – https://catalog.liberty.edu/graduate/admission/graduate-admissions/
- Liberty University Accreditation – https://www.liberty.edu/online/accreditation/
- Liberty University Tuition – https://www.liberty.edu/online/tuition-and-fees/
- American InterContinental University Official Website – https://www.aiuniv.edu
- AIU MBA Requirements – https://www.aiuniv.edu/degrees/business/articles/mba-requirements-at-american-intercontinental-university
- AIU Accreditation – https://www.aiuniv.edu/about/accreditation
- AIU Online Master’s Programs – https://www.aiuniv.edu/degrees/masters
- National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) – https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
- College Tuition Compare – AIU Graduate Programs – https://www.collegetuitioncompare.com/graduate/american-intercontinental-university/
- AIUS Student Outcomes Disclosure – https://www.aius.education/Media/Default/downloads/AIU-System-Student-Outcomes-Disclosure.pdf
Final Verdict
For graduate students with a 2.0–2.5 GPA seeking master’s degrees, doctoral programs, or graduate certificates, Liberty University emerges as the significantly stronger choice for most scenarios. While AIU offers a lower barrier to entry with its 2.0 GPA minimum and streamlined application process, Liberty provides vastly superior program variety (200+ master’s programs vs. ~14), doctoral degree options (which AIU lacks entirely), stronger programmatic accreditations for professional licensure, and better student outcomes.
The exception: Students who specifically need a 2.0 GPA minimum, want an accelerated 12-month master’s in business, IT, education, or healthcare, and have no doctoral aspirations may find AIU’s streamlined approach beneficial.
For students with a 2.5 GPA or higher who may eventually pursue doctoral studies or need programmatic accreditation for licensure, Liberty University is the clear choice.
This article was researched and compiled using official institutional data, federal education statistics, and verified third-party sources. All information is current as of April 2026. Graduate program requirements and accreditation status should be verified directly with each institution before applying.
