Nursing school is one of the most competitive undergraduate programs to get into — not because the GPA cutoffs are impossibly high, but because programs are highly impacted and far more students apply than seats are available. Understanding exactly what admissions committees look for, and where your GPA fits into that picture, matters a lot before you start applying.
The short answer: most BSN programs require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 to 3.0, but competitive applicants typically have a 3.3 or above. Science GPA — your grades in biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology — often carries more weight than your overall GPA. A 3.8 cumulative GPA won't protect you if your prerequisite science grades are weak.
Most nursing programs set a floor — the minimum GPA they'll even consider — and then evaluate competitive applicants above that floor on a ranked basis. Getting above the floor doesn't guarantee admission; it just means you're eligible to compete for a seat.
| Program Type | Minimum GPA | Competitive Range |
|---|---|---|
| BSN (4-year university) | 2.75 – 3.0 | 3.3 – 3.8+ |
| ADN (community college) | 2.5 – 2.75 | 3.0 – 3.5 |
| Accelerated BSN (second degree) | 3.0 | 3.5 – 3.9+ |
| Direct-entry MSN | 3.0 – 3.2 | 3.5+ |
Accelerated BSN programs are among the most selective. These programs are designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field and want to complete nursing in 12–18 months. Competition is intense and admitted cohorts often average GPAs above 3.5.
ADN programs at community colleges typically have lower GPA thresholds, making them a viable path if your cumulative GPA is between 2.5 and 3.0. Many nurses start with an ADN and complete an RN-to-BSN bridge program after licensure.
Almost every nursing program requires prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology (A&P), microbiology, and statistics. These courses are evaluated separately from your overall GPA — often called your prerequisite GPA or science GPA — and they carry significant weight in admissions decisions.
Why? Because performance in A&P and microbiology is one of the strongest predictors of success in nursing coursework. Programs that admit students with weak science grades tend to see higher attrition. As a result, admissions committees scrutinize these grades closely regardless of what the rest of your transcript looks like.
A student with a 3.2 cumulative GPA and A's in all science prerequisites is often more competitive than a student with a 3.6 cumulative GPA but B-minuses across the sciences.
If your science GPA is below 3.0, retaking those courses is one of the most effective ways to strengthen your application — provided your school allows grade replacement. Even if the old grade stays on your transcript, many nursing programs will recalculate using the highest grade earned. Always confirm the retake policy with the specific program you're applying to.
Most nursing programs require the ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) as part of the application. The TEAS tests reading, mathematics, science, and English language usage. A strong TEAS score can partially offset a lower GPA, and a weak TEAS score can hurt even a strong GPA applicant.
Programs typically weight GPA and TEAS score together in a composite ranking. If you're applying with a 3.1 GPA, your path to admission depends significantly on your TEAS score. A score in the 80th percentile or above strengthens a borderline GPA application meaningfully. Conversely, if your GPA is competitive but you score in the 60th percentile on the TEAS, you may be ranked below applicants with lower GPAs but stronger test performance.
The TEAS science section is particularly relevant because it directly overlaps with the prerequisite content nursing programs care about. Scoring well there signals content mastery even if a few early prerequisite grades weren't strong.
GPA is the primary filter, but it's rarely the only factor once you're above the minimum threshold. Programs vary in how they weight these additional components:
It depends entirely on the program type. Most four-year BSN programs will screen out applicants below 2.75 before any holistic review. However, many ADN programs at community colleges accept applicants with GPAs of 2.5 or above, particularly if prerequisite grades are strong and TEAS scores are competitive.
If your cumulative GPA is 2.5 but you earned B's or above in all science prerequisites and scored above the 70th percentile on the TEAS, you have a realistic path at community college ADN programs. After completing the ADN and passing the NCLEX-RN, an RN-to-BSN bridge program is the next step — and these programs typically accept working RNs with lower original GPAs.
If your GPA is genuinely too low for the programs you're targeting, there are concrete steps you can take before applying. Post-baccalaureate coursework in science, retaking prerequisite courses where you earned C grades, and completing a healthcare-related certificate program all strengthen an application while boosting your GPA in the areas that matter most.
Getting into nursing school and keeping your scholarship once you're there are two different GPA challenges. Many nursing scholarships and financial aid awards require a minimum GPA of 3.0 each semester to maintain eligibility. Some federal and institutional scholarships increase that threshold to 3.25 or 3.5.
Nursing curriculum is demanding — NCLEX preparation, clinical hours, pharmacology, and care planning all compete for your attention simultaneously. Students who entered with a 3.5 GPA sometimes struggle to maintain 3.0 once coursework intensifies. Before you accept a scholarship, read the SAP (satisfactory academic progress) requirements carefully so you understand what's expected to keep the award.
If you're worried about maintaining your GPA under a scholarship, see What GPA Do You Need to Keep Your Scholarship? for a detailed breakdown of how thresholds work and what to do if you're at risk.
Nursing and medical school have meaningfully different GPA expectations at the point of application. Medical school (MD programs) typically requires a cumulative GPA above 3.7 and a science (BCPM) GPA above 3.6 for competitive candidates. The average matriculant GPA at MD-granting schools is approximately 3.7 overall.
Nursing school at the BSN level is less GPA-intensive at entry, though the academic demands during the program are substantial. If you're deciding between nursing and pre-med tracks, the GPA requirements at entry are one factor — but so are program length, cost, NCLEX versus MCAT preparation, and career trajectory.
For a detailed breakdown of what medical school requires, see What GPA Do You Need for Med School?
If your cumulative GPA is below the competitive range for your target programs, the most effective moves are:
Not sure where your GPA stands or how many A's you'd need to improve it before applying?
Use the GPA Raise Calculator →Nursing school admissions are GPA-sensitive but not GPA-exclusive. The floor for most BSN programs is 2.75–3.0, but admitted cohorts typically average 3.3–3.5. Your science GPA in prerequisites carries more weight than your overall cumulative GPA, and TEAS performance can shift your ranking meaningfully in competitive pools.
If your GPA is below target, ADN programs offer a legitimate alternative path to licensure, and retaking key science prerequisites is one of the highest-return moves you can make before reapplying to a BSN program.