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While the General Point Average (GPA) admission requirement differs between Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) online programs, the best programs usually have a 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA on an undergraduate bachelor’s degree. The 3.0 GPA is equivalent to a B grade or an 83%-86% grade, considered the national average in the United States for nursing programs.
While a 3.0 GPA sounds too high, it isn’t so considering that nursing as a profession is widely considered a STEM field – the Bureau of Labor Statistics, academia and industry agree on this matter – and, thus, aspiring nursing professionals must possess proficient skills in science, technology and math.
But what if your undergraduate cumulative GPA is less than 3.0, yet you want to earn the prestigious MSN degree for career advancement or career shift purposes? Well, here are 10 of the best online MSN programs that will consider applicants with less than a 3.0 GPA, usually 2.0 to 2.5 (equivalent to a C grade).
This article lists 10 of the best online MSN programs that will consider applicants with less than a 3.0 GPA, usually 2.0 to 2.5 (equivalent to a C grade). You’ll also read tips on finding the right MSN program and increasing admission chances with low GPAs.
Common Reasons for Accepting Applicants with Low GPAs into MSN Programs
We want to emphasize that online MSN programs that consider applicants with low GPAs aren’t inferior to programs with 3.0 GPAs as part of their admissions requirements! Every MSN online program featured here is offered by regionally accredited institutions, meaning these universities meet the standards of quality set by the US Department of Education and the state board for nursing programs.
Most of these online MSN programs are also accredited by professional nursing organizations, meaning their curriculum, learning outcomes, and program outcomes meet professional industry standards.
But, these online MSN programs consider applicants with low undergraduate GPAs because of their holistic admissions process. Instead of accepting students based on their grades alone, these nursing programs consider the wide range of factors for student success at the graduate level.
Applicants are then evaluated based on their:
- Professional work experience, including their work progression (i.e., from entry-level positions to supervisory roles)
- Strong work ethics, positive character traits and progress in personal development based on their personal statement, letters of recommendation, and interview performance
- Personal experiences that demonstrate their significant progress as well as their passion for lifelong learning
Indeed, these online MSN programs value relevant professional work experiences that demonstrate a strong knowledge base and practical skills more than past academic performance! After all, grades aren’t the be-all and end-all in real-world situations – it’s determination, resourcefulness and resilience.
These online programs also strive for diversity and inclusivity in their student and alumni body by looking beyond grades in their admissions criteria. Applicants from diverse backgrounds, particularly individuals whose personal challenges contributed to their average academic performance in their undergraduate studies yet demonstrated resilience, are welcome to demonstrate their suitability in these competitive nursing programs.
The shortage of qualified candidates for nursing programs is also an oft-cited reason for a low GPA requirement. By being more flexible in their grading criteria, online MSN programs can attract more applicants and address the shortage of nurses in the United States.
Indeed, many online programs welcome career shifters, meaning applicants with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or in non-nursing jobs who want to enter the nursing profession with a master’s degree. There are also bridge programs that enable students with lower GPAs the opportunity to improve their academic standing and gain new nursing knowledge and skills before their official admission into the master’s degree program.
Effective Strategies for Getting Accepted into MSN Programs With Low GPA
While a low GPA may seem like a difficult challenge when applying to MSN programs, it shouldn’t be! The key is to adopt a proactive and strategic approach during the application and admission process. We suggest these steps to overcome the GPA challenge and boost your chances of being accepted into your dream MSN online program.
- Understand the Admissions Process: Familiarize yourself with the criteria and prepare key documents, especially your personal statement. Use it to highlight your resilience by sharing specific challenges you’ve overcome and how this trait will support your nursing studies and career.
- Highlight Relevant Experience: Showcase professional nursing or healthcare experience demonstrating your readiness for career growth or a shift into nursing. The more experience you have, the more likely admissions committees will overlook a low GPA. Additional training, certifications, or continuing education can further strengthen your application.
- Obtain Strong Recommendations: Request letters from individuals who can attest to your suitability for nursing and highlight your professional accomplishments.
- Craft a Detailed Resume: Emphasize your skills, experiences, and achievements—both academic and non-academic. Include nursing-related volunteer work, leadership roles, or activities that show your dedication to the profession and community.
- Prepare for Interviews: Be ready to address questions about your low GPA. Focus on your commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and success in the nursing field.
In the end, you should do your best to highlight that, indeed, your low GPA was a temporary setback and you’re passionate about moving forward and onward toward success.
Effective Tips for Finding the Right MSN Program for You
With several online Master’s in Nursing programs available for applicants with low GPAs, it can also be a challenge to choose the best one for you! Here are a few strategies to overcome it.
- Define Your Goals
Define your personal and professional goals first, so you have a clear guide. Why do you want to pursue a master’s degree in nursing? Where do you want it to take your professional career? What’s next after earning it?
- Check Accreditation
Look at the regional and programmatic accreditation of the university offering the online program. Accreditation demonstrates compliance of the university and its nursing program to the rigorous standards of quality set by the accreditation agencies and the US Department of Education, among other regulatory agencies. Programmatic accreditation comes from the likes of the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA).
- Assess Faculty Credentials
Look into the credentials and expertise of the faculty members as well as the program staff, particularly the dean or director.
- Consider Specializations
Consider the concentrations or specializations offered if you’re interested in becoming a nurse specialist. Common specializations in nursing programs are Clinical Leadership and Administration, Nursing Education, and Family Nurse Practitioner.
- Evaluate the Learning Format
Factor in the learning format of the online program, such as synchronous or asynchronous courses, to determine whether it fits into your lifestyle, preferred learning style, and work schedule.
- Check In-Person Requirements
Inquire about the in-person requirements, if any, such as clinical placements and community immersions, since these will have an impact on your academic planning.
- Look Into Student Support Services
Ask about access to student support services and career development opportunities, including networking events and on-campus resources and facilities. These are crucial aspects in your positive learning experiences that, if less than satisfactory, can be a bummer.
- Calculate Financial Costs
Evaluate the financial costs of attending the online program, from the tuition and fees to the e-books and textbooks and in-person activities, if any. Financial aid options must also be looked into since earning a master’s degree can be expensive.
You should also look into the overall reputation of the online master’s in nursing programs you’re considering. Testimonials, feedback and reviews from students and alumni are valuable in this regard.
Best Online MSN Programs with A Low GPA Requirement
Purdue University Global
The respected online Master of Science in Nursing program at Purdue Global prepares students for leadership roles in the nursing profession. Students develop their expertise in a wide range of healthcare-related practices, from organizational leadership to information technology, as well as prepare for success in industry certification exams.
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing (no GPA minimum specified).
- Additional Requirements:
- Official transcripts.
- Background check.
- Unencumbered RN license.
Program Details:
- Format: Fully online.
- Specializations: Adult-Gerontology, Nurse Educator, Psychiatric Mental Health, Executive Leader, Family Nurse Practitioner.
- Financial aid options available.
- Accreditation: HLC and CCNE
Walden University
The online Master of Science in Nursing program at Walden University welcomes empowered registered nurses with ambitious career advancement plans. The rigorous curriculum emphasizes health outcomes improvement and advancement of health equity, both of which are vital in the current healthcare industry. Walden offers two learning formats: course-based, with set schedules, peer interaction, and per-course payment, or Tempo Learning, where students set their pace, control costs, and pay via a three-month subscription, with optional faculty and coach support.
Admission Requirements:
- RN-to-MSN track: Associate degree or diploma in nursing.
- BSN-to-MSN track: Bachelor’s degree in nursing.
- Valid RN license.
- Additional Requirements:
- Completed application form.
- Official transcripts.
Program Details:
- Learning Formats: Course-based (structured) or Tempo Learning (self-paced).
- Specializations: Adult-Gerontology, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health, Nursing Education, Public Health Nursing.
- Accreditation: HLC and CCNE.
Cumberland University
The online Master of Science in Nursing with a Concentration in Nurse Educator program emphasizes effective teaching strategies based on sound theories and current practices in nursing education. Students learn the best methods in curriculum development, content delivery, and assessments of nursing education programs.
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree (minimum 2.5 GPA; conditional admission possible).
- Additional Requirements:
- Official transcripts.
- RN license.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Undergraduate statistics course.
Program Details:
- Format: Asynchronous online.
- Credits: 36.
- Accreditation: SACSCOC.
Benedictine University
Benedictine University’s online Master of Science in Nursing program emphasizes organizational leadership, healthcare technologies, and evidence-based practice. Its curriculum is designed to prepare students to excel as ethical, culturally aware healthcare leaders.
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a regionally accredited institution.
- Minimum 2.75 GPA (holistic admissions process).
- Additional Requirements:
- Official transcripts.
- Proof of RN license.
- Letter of recommendation.
- Professional resume.
- Statement of goals.
Program Details:
- Format: Fully online; no residency required.
- Practicum: Two-course practicum.
- Concentrations: Nurse Executive Leader, Nurse Educator.
- Start Dates: January, May, August.
- Accreditation: HLC and CCNE
University of Illinois Chicago
The hybrid Master of Science in Nursing for Registered Nurses program offered by the UIC prepares students for career advancement opportunities in the nursing profession, particularly as complex care coordinators.
Admission Requirements:
- BSN or non-nursing bachelor’s degree with RN license.
- GPA: 2.75 in the last 90 quarter hours (or equivalent).
Program Details:
- Format: Hybrid.
- Credits: 34.
- Tracks: MSN program or MSN Transition Program (for non-BSN holders).
- Accreditation: HLC and CCNE.
Western Governors University
There are several benefits to completing the Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management (RN-to-MSN) offered by Western Governors University! You will gain hands-on clinical practice experiences through virtual reality and real-time simulations, as well as earn the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) HQ Principles certificate.
Admission Requirements:
Note that it’s an online RN-to-MSN bridge program and, thus, applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission:
- Associate degree or diploma in nursing.
- Active, unencumbered RN license.
Program Details:
- Format: Competency-based progression.
- Capstone and clinical placement requirements.
- Other online MSN programs offered by WGU are:
- BSN-to-MSN with concentrations in Nursing Informatics, Education, and Leadership and Management
- RN-to-MSN with concentrations in Nursing Informatics and Education
- BSN-to-MSN Nurse Practitioner with concentrations in Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation: NWCCU and CCNE
Saint Xavier University
Saint Xavier University’s online Master of Science in Nursing program combines healthcare and business skills, offering practical, workplace-ready knowledge for immediate application.
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA preferred; conditional admission possible with a 2.8 GPA based on application strength.
- Additional Requirements:
- Completed graduate application (no fee).
- Current nursing license with at least one year of RN experience.
- Official transcripts.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Personal statement.
- Resume or CV.
- Writing sample and interview (if requested).
Program Details:
- Format: Online with a 2-day on-campus intensive.
- Duration: 2.5+ years.
- Tracks: Clinical Leadership, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator.
- Accreditation: HLC and CCNE.
University of Texas at Arlington
The accelerated online Master of Science Nursing with Concentration in Nursing Administration program at the University of Texas at Arlington prepares ambitious registered nurses for successful careers in nursing management, thanks to a rigorous curriculum emphasizing core competencies in nursing leadership and management.
Admission Requirements:
- BSN from a regionally accredited institution (CCNE or ACEN-accredited).
- GPA: 3.0 preferred; probationary admission for GPAs 2.8–2.99.
- Additional Requirements:
- Statistics course (min. grade: C).
- RN license.
- Work experience.
- Official transcripts.
- Completed application.
Program Details:
- Format: Blended (online and clinical).
- Courses: Includes capstone project.
- Accreditation: SACSCOC and CCNE.
Utica University
The online Master of Science in Nursing Education at Utica University produces the next generation of nurse educators whose passion for the nursing profession can become an inspiration to their future students.
Admission Requirements:
Applicants with a 3.0+ GPA in their nursing bachelor’s are preferred, but those with lower GPAs may be considered if they meet additional requirements for holistic evaluation.
- GPA letter
- Completed application ($50 fee).
- Official transcripts.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Proof of 2,000 hours of professional nursing experience.
- Writing sample with essay prompts.
- Resume.
- Unencumbered RN license (Florida or New York).
- Background check and completion of specific courses (statistics and health assessment).
Applicants must also complete a statistics course and a health assessment course with a B grade or higher, as well as a background check.
Program Details:
- Format: Fully online.
- Credits: 42.
- Courses: Public Health, Leadership, Advanced Pharmacology.
- Accreditation: MECHE and CCNE
Xavier University
Earning the online Master of Science in Nursing degree from Xavier University opens career advancement opportunities in and beyond the healthcare industry. Students can also earn post-master’s certificates here for more career advancement.
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in nursing (ACEN or CCNE-accredited).
- Active RN license.
- 1+ year of experience (2+ years preferred).
- Statistics course (min. grade: C).
- Additional Requirements:
- Completed application (no fee).
- Official transcripts.
- Resume.
- Three professional references.
- Personal statement.
Program Details:
- Start Dates: Vary by track.
- Credits: 37.
- Accreditation: HLC and CCNE.
Frequently Asked Questions
What GPA do you usually need for admission to an MSN program?
Most MSN programs require you to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. However, some programs may accept you with a GPA as low as 2.0–2.5 if you can demonstrate other strengths, such as relevant professional experience, strong recommendations, or a compelling personal statement.
Can you apply to an MSN program if your GPA is below 3.0?
Yes, many online MSN programs accept applicants with lower GPAs through a holistic admissions process. These programs often look at other factors, such as your work experience, personal achievements, and professional goals, alongside your academic performance.
What strategies can strengthen your application if you have a low GPA?
- Highlight your relevant nursing or healthcare experience.
- Obtain strong letters of recommendation.
- Craft a compelling personal statement focusing on your resilience and career aspirations.
- Pursue additional certifications or continuing education courses.
- Prepare for interviews to explain how you’ve overcome academic challenges and how you plan to excel in the program
Can I receive financial aid for an online MSN program?
Yes, many online MSN programs offer financial aid options, including federal loans, scholarships, and grants. Contact the financial aid office at your chosen university to learn more.
How do I find accredited online MSN programs?
Check for regional accreditation by agencies like the HLC or SACSCOC and programmatic accreditation by bodies such as the CCNE, ACEN, or CNEA. Accreditation ensures the program meets rigorous educational and industry standards.
