Aiming for a BSN, ADN, or accelerated track, you’ll ask: what gpa do you need for nursing school? Programs post minimums, but the competitive number tends to be higher. Committees split GPA: cumulative (all courses) and prerequisite or “science” GPA (A&P, Microbiology, Chemistry, Statistics). Many schools weigh the science slice more because it predicts success in pharmacology, pathophysiology, and clinical work.
This guide sets targets, explains how TEAS/HESI can offset GPA, and shows which courses move your prereq average fastest. You’ll learn the gap between minimums and median admits, how retakes are handled, and tactics to raise your numbers. We’ll also cover accelerated/second-degree BSN timelines. By the end, you’ll know which GPA matters—and steps to go from borderline to competitive.
What GPA do you need for nursing school?
Most programs list a minimum of 2.5–3.0, but competitive admits are usually higher. For BSN and accelerated BSN, a 3.4–3.8 (with strong science grades) is common; ADN programs may accept 2.7–3.2 minimums with 3.2–3.6 competitive. Schools weigh your prerequisite/science GPA—A&P, Microbiology, Chemistry—more than electives. If your GPA is lower, raise your science grades, ace TEAS/HESI, and retake key prereqs strategically.
The Real Answer To Nursing School GPAs
Most nursing programs publish a minimum GPA to apply—often 2.5 to 3.0—but that number rarely reflects what it actually takes to get in. Admissions cohorts typically land well above the cutoff, especially at selective public universities or private schools with strong NCLEX pass rates. When you ask what GPA you need for nursing school, think in ranges: minimum to be eligible, and median to be admitted.
For traditional four-year BSN programs, competitive GPAs frequently sit between 3.4 and 3.8. Within that band, the prerequisite or “science” GPA often matters more than the overall. A student with a 3.3 cumulative but a 3.7 science GPA in Anatomy & Physiology I/II, Microbiology, and Chemistry can look stronger than a student with a 3.6 overall but weak science grades. That’s why refining your prereq transcript is central to answering what gpa do you need for nursing school for your profile.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs can be more flexible, with minimums around 2.7–3.0, but the classes are competitive and limited. Rising demand means many ADN cohorts still hover in the low-to-mid 3s. If your cumulative sits near the minimum, you’ll need stronger science grades, clean transcripts (few withdrawals), and solid entrance scores to move the needle. In practice, what gpa do you need for nursing school at the community-college level is “as high as you can manage,” with special attention to sciences.
How schools calculate GPA for nurses—cumulative vs. science GPA
If you’re wondering what gpa do you need for nursing school, the short answer is that it depends on which GPA schools emphasize. Most programs look at both your cumulative and your science/prerequisite GPAs, and then weigh retakes, TEAS/HESI scores, and recent upward trends.
Cumulative GPA vs. prerequisite GPA (which counts more?)
When committees answer what GPA do you need for nursing school, they split your numbers: overall GPA summarizing every course, and a prerequisite or “science” GPA capturing Anatomy & Physiology I/II, Microbiology, Chemistry, Nutrition, and Statistics. Many programs weight the science GPA more because it predicts performance in patho, pharm, and clinical reasoning.
Typical minimums and competitive ranges by track
ADN minimums often land at 2.7–3.0 with competitive 3.2–3.6; BSN minimums trend 3.0 with competitive 3.4–3.8; ABSN minimums 3.0–3.2 with competitive 3.3–3.7. That’s why what gpa do you need for nursing school differs by pathway.
Repeat and replace: do retakes help?
Plenty of schools allow retakes of key sciences. Some average attempts; others replace the old grade. A targeted retake in A&P or Microbiology can shift your science GPA quickly and reshape what gpa do you need for nursing school from “borderline” to “ready.”
Setting Your Nursing School GPA Target
Before you can close the gap, you need a realistic target number—both overall and science GPA—and a time-boxed plan to hit it. Use the ranges below to position your goals for ADN, BSN, and ABSN tracks, then execute tactically so your transcript reflects what gpa do you need for nursing school this cycle.
- Aim for a science GPA ≥3.5 first.
Because science courses carry the most weight, prioritize A’s in Anatomy & Physiology I/II, Microbiology, and Chemistry. If you’re asking what gpa do you need for nursing school, a 3.5+ science GPA paired with a 3.2–3.4 overall can still be very competitive, especially with strong TEAS/HESI. - Use strategic retakes for high-impact classes.
Retaking one or two sciences where you earned C+/B- can raise your science GPA quickly. Confirm your target school’s retake policy (average vs. replace). A single A in a retake can shift your calculated average and bring you nearer to what gpa do you need for nursing school standards. - Pad the GPA with rigorous, recent credits.
Add upper-division or post-bac sciences—Pathophysiology, Advanced Micro, and Biostatistics—to demonstrate readiness. Recent rigor helps committees reconcile a lower early-college GPA with your current ability, tightening the gap to what gpa do you need for nursing school.
ADN vs BSN vs Accelerated BSN—GPA Cutoffs and Competitive Ranges by Pathway
ADN programs at community colleges attract a wide range of applicants, including career-changers and recent high-school grads. Minimum GPAs often live around 2.7–3.0, but seats are limited, and clinical placements are scarce. As a result, competitive ADN cohorts can land in the 3.2–3.6 range, especially when demand spikes. If you ask what gpa do you need for nursing school for ADN, the realistic target is “3.3+ with strong science grades and a solid TEAS.”
Traditional BSN programs, particularly at public flagships and reputable private universities, tend to be higher. They may publish a 3.0 minimum, but median admits frequently show 3.4–3.8 with 3.5+ science GPAs. Honors or upper-division science work, plus healthcare experience, can differentiate you. For prospective BSN students wondering what gpa do you need for nursing school, set your sights on mid-to-high 3’s and craft a transcript that showcases momentum in anatomy, micro, and chemistry.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs move quickly—often 12–16 months—so schools look for evidence that you can thrive in an intensive pace. Candidates commonly arrive with prior bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing majors. Here, committees scrutinize your recent science
Holistic admissions—when a lower GPA can still win
Even if your transcript isn’t perfect, holistic admissions mean the answer to what gpa do you need for nursing school is only part of the picture. The right mix of hands-on healthcare experience, high TEAS/HESI scores, strong recommendations, and a clear upward trend can still land you an acceptance.
Healthcare experience that offsets the number
CNA shifts, EMT work, scribing, or MA roles demonstrate patient-care readiness. In point systems, hours can offset a small gap below what gpa do you need for nursing school.
Personal statement and recommendations
Use the statement to explain context, growth, and recent excellence. Ask recommenders who can speak to your science mastery—essential when what gpa do you need for nursing school is competitive.
Upward trends and recency bias
Committees value who you are now. A recent 3.8 across sciences outweighs older missteps and aligns your profile with what gpa do you need for nursing school standards.
Bottom Line
The honest answer to what GPA is required—the synonym for what gpa do you need for nursing school—is that eligibility and competitiveness differ. Minimums open the door; science GPA, entrance scores, and recent rigor walk you through it. For BSN and ABSN, think 3.4–3.8 competitive with 3.5+ in sciences; for ADN, a solid 3.2–3.6 can play well. If you’re below that today, you’re not stuck: targeted retakes, A’s in the big sciences, and a top TEAS/HESI can lift you into range. Map your semesters, calculate GPA the way your schools do, and make every new grade count toward what gpa do you need for nursing school.
FAQ’s
What is the absolute minimum for most nursing programs?
Many list 2.5–3.0 to apply, but cohorts are higher. Treat the minimum as a gate, not a target, when planning what gpa do you need for nursing school.
Which GPA matters more—overall or science?
Science/prereq GPA (A&P, Micro, Chem, Stats) often carries more weight. Strong science grades can offset a slightly lower cumulative when calculating what gpa do you need for nursing school.
Can a great TEAS/HESI score offset a lower GPA?
Yes, especially in point systems. A high percentile can add enough points to reach what gpa do you need for nursing school competitiveness.
Should I retake classes to raise my GPA?
Retake high-impact sciences if your school replaces old grades; if it averages, calculate the expected lift. Targeted retakes can help you hit what gpa do you need for nursing school faster.
Do withdrawals and Pass/Fail grades hurt?
A few W’s are fine, but many can raise flags. Avoid Pass/Fail on core sciences—you want A’s that push you into what GPA you need for nursing school territory.