Top 10 Colleges That Accept a 2.5 GPA in Florida
Last Updated on August 16, 2024 by NAMS Editor
Getting accepted into your dream college isn’t always easy, especially if your high school GPA falls below a 3.0. However, there is hope for students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher in the Sunshine State of Florida. Several excellent colleges and universities in Florida have minimum GPA requirements of 2.5 or lower, providing opportunities for admission and a quality education.
In this article, we will explore 10 top-rated colleges in Florida that accept students with a GPA of 2.5 or above. We’ll take an in-depth look at each school’s academics, programs, unique offerings, and rationale for their lower GPA cut-offs. By learning about their supportive environments and holistic admissions processes, you can determine which colleges may be the best academic and personal fit for your goals and situation.
With determination and the right college match, a lower high school GPA doesn’t have to limit your future potential. Let’s get started exploring your options!
1. Rollins College
Location: Winter Park, FL
Student Population: 2,500 undergraduate students
Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.5
Rollins College is a private liberal arts college consistently ranked among the top regional colleges in the South. It is known for its blend of academics, service learning, and global education opportunities.
At Rollins, admissions decisions consider applicants holistically, looking beyond just grades and test scores. They review extracurricular activities, essays, recommendations, and other factors demonstrative of student character and potential. This inclusive process allows for consideration of students who may have faced challenges affecting their GPAs.
Rollins offers over 80 majors, minors, and programs across its Arts & Sciences, Professional Studies, and Crummer Graduate School of Business divisions. Popular majors include business, psychology, environmental studies, and international relations. Students can also customize their own major through Rollins’ self-designed majors program.
With a student body of just 2,500 undergraduates, small class sizes foster close interactions between students and professors. Hands-on learning experiences like community service, internships, research projects, global study, and personalized advising help develop essential career skills.
Overall, Rollins presents a welcoming academic environment where lower GPAs won’t preclude access to a quality private college education and expansive opportunities for personal and intellectual growth.
2. Flagler College
Location: St. Augustine, FL
Student Population: Approximately 3,000 total students
Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.5
Flagler College is a private liberal arts college located in historic downtown St. Augustine. It is considered one of the most beautiful college campuses in the nation due to its architectural heritage in restored Spanish Renaissance buildings.
While Flagler has high academic standards, it also recognizes that tests and grades don’t necessarily define a student’s potential. Their holistic review evaluates each applicant as a whole person, weighing factors like extracurricular activities, work experience, and life challenges that may have impacted grades.
Flagler offers 30+ majors across Business, Humanities & Social Sciences, and STEM fields. Popular programs include Criminal Justice, Sport Management, Education, and Business Administration. The College also boasts low student-faculty ratios (12:1), allowing for personalized attention.
Students benefit from Flagler’s unique location in America’s oldest city. In addition to on-campus resources like libraries and computer labs, St. Augustine provides real-world laboratories for hands-on classes, internships, research, and cultural enrichment. International study opportunities further develop global perspectives.
By considering candidates holistically beyond numbers, Flagler creates a supportive learning environment where lower GPAs do not define academic potential or career outcomes.
3. Stetson University
Location: Deland, FL
Student Population: Approximately 4,000 total students
Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.5
Founded in 1883, Stetson University is a private research university offering over 80 academic programs across its College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business Administration, and other professional schools. It has a national reputation for educational quality and civic engagement.
At Stetson, admissions officers review each application holistically to assess factors beyond grades and test scores that illuminate an applicant’s character, talents, and potential. They understand life’s challenges and recognize that while grades matter, they do not determine character or capacity to learn.
Stetson students can choose from over 50 majors and minors, as well as self-designed majors. Popular programs include Business, Education, Music, Biology, Communication Sciences & Disorders, and Criminal Justice. Small class sizes foster close professor-student mentorship.
Beyond the classroom, Stetson promotes leadership development through hundreds of student organizations and clubs, 25 NCAA Division I sports teams, community service opportunities, international study abroad programs in 20+ countries, and student research projects.
While maintaining rigorous academics, Stetson embraces students from various backgrounds and walks of life. Its understanding admissions practices pave the way for lower GPA students to thrive within a supportive university environment.
4. Saint Leo University
Location: Saint Leo, FL
Student Population: Approximately 10,600 total students
Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.0
Saint Leo University has the largest total enrollment of any school on this list, with 10,600 students across 250+ associate’s, bachelor’s and graduate degree programs. It is a Catholic liberal arts university founded in 1889.
Notably, Saint Leo has one of the most generous minimum GPA requirements – a 2.0. This reflects its mission of accessibility and opportunity for students seeking career-focused higher education. Beyond grades, Saint Leo holistically reviews each applicant’s background, essays, recommendations and potential to succeed.
Popular majors at Saint Leo include Business, Criminal Justice, Education, Psychology and Healthcare. Students may complete classes online or on one of seven Florida campuses. Accelerated and flex course formats cater to working adults balancing jobs and families with school.
Saint Leo offers NCAA Division II athletics as well as ROTC and reserve units for military-affiliated students. Clubs, campus activities, intramural sports and over 40 student organizations support broader student development. Its Career Services center helps undergraduates prepare for in-demand careers.
With a large footprint and low 2.0 GPA cutoff, Saint Leo epitomizes the opportunity higher education can provide those seeking redemptive paths regardless of past academic performance.
5. Jacksonville University
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Student Population: Approximately 3,600 total students
Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.5
Jacksonville University is a private university founded in 1934. It emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning through programs like internships, research projects, study abroad trips and community service. Small class sizes allow for individualized faculty attention.
JU considers each student holistically beyond numbers, weighing character, talents, accomplishments, and potential. Recognizing that life challenges impact grades for some, JU aims to identify motivated students who will succeed with proper guidance and support.
JU offers over 100 academic programs including popular majors in Business, Communication, Education, Psychology, and Marine Science. Students may complete combined degree programs, like the BA/MD program with the University of Florida College of Medicine.
The JU campus resides along the St. Johns River, providing recreation like swimming, kayaking and sailing. Jacksonville’s urban environment further enhances interdisciplinary learning through internships, cultural events and research partnerships with local organizations and companies.
By adopting holistic, empathetic reviews that give fair consideration to ambitious students facing adversity, JU demonstrates its commitment to educational access and student growth.
6. Lynn University
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Student Population: Approximately 3,000 total students
Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.5
Lynn University is a private university located in the South Florida city of Boca Raton, near West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. It offers degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels.
At Lynn, admissions evaluations go beyond grades to assess character, leadership, talent and life experiences through personal statements, resumes, portfolios, recommendations and interviews when possible. This individualized approach recognizes that numbers alone don’t define a student or predict their college success.
Lynn is known for innovative programs like its honors program and 3+1 undergraduate degree options. Students choose from over 50 majors in fields like Business, Communication, Education, International Relations and Criminal Justice. Popular programs include Hospitality Management and Sports Management.
What sets Lynn apart is its intimate learning environment – classes average just 20 students with personal access to faculty. Dozens of clubs and organizations, as well as NCAA Division II athletics and recreational facilities, complement academics. International study is also emphasized.
By taking a holistic view toward admissions that values perseverance and human potential over past statistics, Lynn opens promising opportunities for capable, motivated students regardless of GPA history.
7. Barry University
Location: Miami Shores, FL
Student Population: Approximately 9,500 total students
Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.5
Barry University considers each applicant holistically using a comprehensive review process. They take into account personal achievements, character qualities, community service experience, and potential for growth beyond the numbers. Barry understands that life challenges outside a student’s control can sometimes impact grades.
Barry offers over 120 academic programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. Popular majors include Biology, Business, Communication, Education, Forensic Science, and Nursing. The university is known for clinically-oriented health sciences programs in fields such as Nursing, Physical Therapy, and Podiatry.
Students benefit from small class sizes averaging 18-22 students and personalized academic support through peer mentors, tutoring centers, writing centers and career counseling services. Beyond academics, Barry encourages community involvement through service opportunities, student organizations and campus ministry programs.
By adopting holistic, empathetic admissions practices that give fair consideration to capable students facing adversity, Barry helps turn dreams of higher education into reality regardless of a person’s past academic statistics or circumstances beyond their control.
8. University of Tampa
Location: Tampa, FL
Student Population: Approximately 9,300 total students
Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.5
The University of Tampa is a private university located downtown along the Hillsborough River. Founded in 1931, UT blends liberal arts and professional programs within a supportive community environment.
UT considers candidates through a holistic review assessing qualities like character, leadership, talent and life experiences beyond simple numbers on a transcript. Small class sizes (18 students average) and 200+ student organizations offer outlets for personal growth.
Popular majors include Business, Communication, Education, Criminology, Graphic Design, and Psychology. High-achieving students may test into the Honors Program or Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community. Pre-professional tracks ready undergraduates for law, medical and graduate schools as well.
UT’s Tampa location adds vibrancy to campus life and enhances applied learning. Students intern with local corporations and nonprofits or volunteer through the Center for Civic Engagement. Study abroad in over 30 countries further broadens perspectives.
With personalized support and holistic admission practices, UT believes capable students facing adversity deserve access to quality higher education and personal development regardless of past academic statistics alone.
9. Palm Beach Atlantic University
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Student Population: Approximately 3,400 students
Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.5
Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private Christian university in West Palm Beach. Founded in 1968, PBA integrates faith, reason and justice across liberal arts and professional programs.
PBA aims to uplift students through comprehensive application reviews that evaluate character, leadership, community service and life experiences beyond numbers. Small classes (15 average) foster close student-faculty mentoring relationships.
Popular majors span liberal arts, business, education, nursing and health sciences. The Honors College enhances academics for high-achieving students. Beyond the classroom, over 50 clubs, campus recreation, and volunteer/service trips develop well-rounded graduates.
PBA resides in the vibrant city of West Palm Beach, mere miles from the ocean. The location affords natural beauty, cultural activities and internship opportunities with local nonprofits and businesses like annual IRS Tax Resolution internships.
By recognizing each student as a whole person and providing supportive, family-like guidance, PBA believes lower GPAs alone should not preclude access to faith-based higher learning and life-changing growth opportunities.
10. Nova Southeastern University
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Student Population: Approximately 21,000 students
Minimum GPA Requirement: 2.5
Nova Southeastern University is a private research university located in Fort Lauderdale. Founded in 1964, NSU enrolls approximately 21,000 students across undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs.
NSU evaluates applicants holistically considering qualities beyond numbers that define character and potential, such as life experiences, recommendations, and personal talents. Small class sizes foster close mentoring between students and faculty.
Popular programs span the sciences, business, computer sciences, arts, education, psychology and health professions. NSU is known for clinically-oriented health sciences including optometry, pharmacy, dental medicine, nursing and osteopathic medicine.
The 330-acre Fort Lauderdale/Davie campus provides scenic trails, an aquatics center and performing arts theater. Beyond academics, over 140 student clubs and organizations, 21 NCAA sports and Greek life cultivate lifelong friendships.
By embracing holistic, empathetic admissions considering complete applications beyond numbers alone, NSU affords opportunity and support so students facing challenges can still achieve educational and career dreams.
Moving Forward with Confidence
This concludes our overview of 10 top-rated colleges and universities in Florida known for admitting students with a minimum 2.5 GPA or lower. Each profiled institution adopts holistic, supportive admissions practices that consider more than just grades – evaluating character, leadership, talents and life experiences.
By gaining familiarity with these schools’ unique offerings and understanding approach, you can determine the best academic and personal fit as you move confidently toward higher education despite a lower high school GPA. With determination and the right college match, a 2.5 or higher GPA in Florida absolutely does not have to define your potential or limit your opportunities. I hope this resource helps open doors to your bright future!
