Best Universities In USA That Accept Second Class Lower For Master’s Degree

If you graduated with a second class lower in Nigeria and want to pursue a USA master’s degree, there is hope for you.

For clarity’s sake, we are using the Nigerian 5.0 GPA scale. Based on the 5.0 GPA scale, the second class lower is between 2.5 to 3.49. It is important to note that the USA uses a 4.0 scale. A simple way to convert your GPA is, (your GPA ÷ 5) *4. (Note: This conversion gives you an idea of your GPA based on the USA GPA scale.

It is not certain the universities will use this method to convert your Nigerian GPA to a USA GPA.) In this article, the universities accept second class lower (USA GPA version, i.e., 2.0 – 2.79). Links to university websites have been placed in the university’s name.

List of universities in the USA that accept second class lower for master’s degree

The Universities in this list have been vetted based on school ranking, facilities available, tuition fees, and straightforward admission process.

All universities in this list are accredited, can be of good standing, and provide an all-around student experience. Most if not all universities on the list offer online master’s degrees for specific programs; considering cost and COVID-19, this might be something worth looking into.

1. Benedictine University

Benedictine University is among the few universities that accept applicants with a USA 2.0/4.0 (USA GPA conversion). It offers about ten (10) master’s degree programs, be sure to check if the university offers the course you want to study. Visit the University website for more details. Benedictine University is in Lisle, Illinois, but it has four (4) other locations and an online study option.

All but two (2) master’s degree programs are taken in Lisle, M.S.N Nursing is the only master’s degree course taken online. There is a non-refundable $40 applicant fee.

The applicant would have to create an account on the school’s website to start the application process. The university boasts of well-equipped departments and remarkable sports facility. The university is a smoke-free and tobacco-free zone.

2. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University has a high admission acceptance rate of 88%. This means the likelihood of you getting admission after meeting their requirement is high. Southern New Hampshire University requires a minimum of a USA GPA of 2.75/4.0.

However, students with a GPA of 2.0-2.74 may qualify for provisional admission. There is a non-refundable $40 application fee.

The university offers both online and on-campus master’s degree education and offers one of the most affordable online degrees in the country.

Most of its online master’s degree programs cost $22,572 only. If you meet the academic requirements, an online master’s degree is what you desire, be sure to check out Southern New Hampshire University.

For a typical one (1) year master’s degree, the tuition fee comes to an estimate of $25200. The Southern New Hampshire University boasts of practical yet picture-worthy academic and athletic facilities.

The university is located in Manchester, New Hampshire, and the nearest international airport to the university is the Manchester Airport.

3. Purdue Global University:

Purdue Global University accepts students with a minimum USA GPA of 2.5/4.0. Students with less than a 2.5 GPA may be accepted on a conditional basis. Note that Purdue Global University is strictly an online university.

It has physical locations across the USA with resources and facilities that students can take advantage of. The admission process is quite different from most universities, and the applicant must fill a form and speak to an admissions advisor first.

The admissions advisor would then conduct an interview: details of preparing for the interview are on the website.

After concluding the interview, the applicant is required to sign some documents and set up a registration call with your admission advisor. Once the admission requirements have been completed, the University Administration would review the information submitted by the applicant and write a letter of enrollment to them if they were admitted.

If the applicant is not given admission, the only fee the applicant would be required to pay is the non-refundable application fee. The tuition fees are as low as $19000 for specific programs.

4. Arkansas State University:

This university accepts students that have a minimum GPA of 2.75/4.0 for some courses.

The university also accepts students with lower GPAs but read the admission requirements to know more on a conditional basis. Students from Nigeria do not need to submit an English proficiency test.

There is a non-refundable $40 application fee. Arkansas application process is done online. You need to have the required documents ready. The link on the Arkansas State University would take to a page containing all the information an international master’s student needs to know.

The university boasts of high-end academic facilities and provides a virtual tour where a physical tour is impossible. It is in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

5. Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical university accepts students with a minimum USA GPA of 2.0/4.0. It offers on-campus and online master’s degree programs. Some programs have online and on-campus options.

The university’s campus locations are Aurora(Outside Denver) and Colorado Springs, and both campuses are located in Colorado. Colorado Technical university requires an IELTS score of 6.0 or a TOEFL Internet-based test (IBT) score of 79 for master’s degree students.

The application process is like Purdue Global School; the applicant must contact an Admission advisor of the university before proceeding with his/her application.

6. DePaul University

DePaul University accepts students with a minimum USA GPA of 2.5/4.0. A non-refundable application fee of $25 is required. International students are required to submit their transcripts to agencies specified on their website for a course-by-course evaluation. The entire application process is done online, and students from Nigeria do not need to submit an English proficiency score. For more information, visit the DePaul University website. It is in Chicago, Illinois.

7. Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan University accepts students that have a minimum USA GPA of 2.7/4.0. Some departments in this university have a higher minimum requirement, be sure to check the minimum GPA requirement for your program.

There is a non-refundable $45 application fee. The application process is inline, and a course-by-course evaluation of your transcripts by university-approved evaluators is non-optional. The minimum requirements for English proficiency tests are as follows TOEFL (IBT) score of 79 or an IELTS score of 6.5. It is in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

8. Our Lady of the Lake University

This university accepts students with a minimum USA GPA of 2.5/4.0 for the most course and a minimum of 2.7/4.0.

For MEd programs. It is essential to note the deadlines for applying for admission as acceptance letters and I-20s are not guaranteed after the deadline dates. There is a non-refundable application $50 fee attached. Its location in San Antonio, Texas.

A TOEFL score of 550(paper-based test) or 79(IBT) is required, or an IELTS score of 6.5 as proof of English proficiency. It has two (2) separate campuses, namely the Houston campus and the Rio Grande Valley Campus. While it is an excellent school with great facilities and accreditation, its acceptance rate is 68%, so keep that in mind.

9. Louisiana Tech University:

Louisiana Tech University accepts students with a minimum USA GPA of 2.5/4.0. The university requires its applicants to take tests such as TOEFL and IELTS to show their proficiency in English.

A minimum score of 6.5 from IELTS or 80(IBT) from TOEFL or 550 (paper-based test) from TOEFL is required. Before starting the online application for a master’s degree at Louisiana Tech University, It is important to have your transcripts, name,, and contact information of references ready. Ensure you note the deadlines for applications as applications submitted after the deadlines will not be attended to.

10. Full Sail University

Full Sail University accepts students with a minimum GPA of 2.0/4.0 in specific courses; the Game design course has a minimum GPA requirement of 2.5/4.0. It is in Winter Park, Florida. A TOEFL score of 79(IBT) or an IELTS score of 6 is required. The master’s degree programs lean towards the creative side, such as Film Production, Game Design, Instructional Design,, and Technology masters. All courses besides Film Production have an online option.

To apply to this school, an interview would first be conducted online; the interview would be about the selected program, its admission requirements, and the seat deposit fee of $200(campus degrees only).

For more information, contact the school’s international admissions department.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this requirement mean?

“The student must have attained a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the last 60 semester units?”

This simply means that if the GPA for the last courses you offered during your bachelor’s degree, whose total units are 60, is up to at least 2.5 GPA, you meet the minimum GPA requirement for that school.

The school is asking me to do a transcript evaluation; what does that mean?

This means you are to submit your school transcript to agencies specified by the school or the school to check that you match the minimum GPA requirements and other educational requirements set by the school.

I meet the minimum GPA requirement. Does this mean I am guaranteed admission?

No.