Low GPA? These CRNA Schools Look at Your Last 60 Credit Hours

Let’s be real—dealing with a low GPA can feel like a gut punch when you’re dreaming of becoming a CRNA. 

Maybe you’ve Googled “Can I get into CRNA school with a 3.0?” more times than you’d like to admit. Or maybe you’ve already heard, “CRNA school is too competitive unless you have a 3.7+.”

That’s not the whole story.

There’s a lesser-known—but incredibly important—truth that could flip your entire application strategy: some CRNA schools emphasize your last 60 credit hours over your cumulative GPA. That’s right. Programs that care more about who you are now than who you were in your sophomore chem lab.

In this post, we’ll walk you through:

• Why the last 60 credit hours matter more than you think
• A verified list of CRNA schools that actually focus on them
• Smart strategies to make your application shine—even if your GPA doesn’t
• What to do next to make sure you ace the part that really counts: the interview

If you’re feeling behind, overlooked, or discouraged, keep reading. This could be the thing that changes your entire path forward.

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Can You Get Into CRNA School with a Low GPA? Absolutely—If You Know Where to Apply

You can practically feel your heart drop when you look at your cumulative GPA. Maybe it’s a 3.2. Or maybe it barely scrapes a 3.0. You scroll through forums, blogs, and social groups, wondering if your dream of becoming a CRNA is still within reach.

Good news: It absolutely is.

In fact, many CRNA schools now recognize that a student is more than just a number. Specifically, they’re focusing on your last 60 credit hours—your most recent academic work.

And if you’ve been busting your tail in upper-level sciences, nursing courses, or even grad-level prerequisites to become more competitive, this could tilt the scales in your favor in a big way.

Let’s talk about what this means, why it matters, and how to use it to your advantage—because yes, you can overcome a low GPA and still become a CRNA.

Why Do Some CRNA Schools Focus on the Last 60 Hours?

Because they get it.

People grow. They mature. They retake courses. They bomb Chemistry 101 sophomore year and then crush Advanced Pathophysiology as an RN.

These schools know that who you were at 19 isn’t who you are now—especially if you’re already elbow-deep in ICU experience and can explain the renin-angiotensin system without breaking a sweat.

Low GPA and CRNA School: If your cumulative GPA is low, but your last 60 hours are strong (especially in sciences), you’re already on a better footing than you think.

Focusing on the last 60 credit hours gives students like you a second wind. It shows programs how you’ve evolved—academically, professionally, and emotionally. It’s not just a loophole; it’s a deliberate chance to prove you’re ready.

Here’s the Real Talk: GPA Isn’t Everything

Let me say it louder for the people in the back: Your GPA might get you the interview, but your interview gets you accepted.

We’ve seen students with 4.0 GPAs rejected again and again because they couldn’t connect during the interview. They froze on clinical questions, gave robotic answers, or failed to engage like the future graduate student the faculty hoped to see.

And we’ve also seen nurses with less-than-stellar academic records shine like absolute stars because they were authentic, clinically sharp, emotionally intelligent, and deeply self-aware.

So if your GPA has you panicking, take a breath. You’ve got options. And you’ve got control.

List of CRNA Schools That Emphasize the Last 60 Credit Hours

Now let’s get to the goldmine: schools that officially weigh your last 60 credits heavily in the admissions process. Verified as of June 2025, these programs see your most recent academic performance as a real reflection of your readiness:

• Alabama: Samford University (Birmingham, AL) 
• Arkansas: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (Little Rock, AR) 
• Arkansas: ASU Jonesboro (Jonesboro, AR) 
• Arizona: University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ)
• California: Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia (Pasadena, CA)
• California: National University (Fresno, CA)
• Florida: Florida International University (Miami, FL) 
• Florida: Barry University (Miami Shores, FL) 
• Florida: Advent Health (Orlando, FL)
• Illinois: NorthShore University (Evanston, IL) 
• Kansas: Newman University (Wichita, KS)
• Louisiana: Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady (Baton Rouge, LA)
• Michigan: Wayne State University (Detroit, MI)
• Michigan: Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI) 
• Minnesota: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science (Rochester, MN)
• Missouri: Missouri State University (Springfield, MO)
• North Carolina: Western Carolina University (Cullowhee, NC)
• Oregon: George Fox University (Newberg, OR) 
• Pennsylvania: UPMC Hamot/Gannon University (Erie, PA) 
• Texas: UT Health San Antonio (San Antonio, TX) 
• Texas: University of Texas Medical Branch (Galveston, TX) 
• Texas: Texas Christian University (Forth Worth, TX) 
• Texas: Texas Wesleyan University (Forth Worth, TX) 
• Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (Oshkosh, WI)

If any of these are on your radar—or if you’re just now discovering them—it’s worth tailoring your strategy accordingly.

So What If My GPA Is Still Holding Me Back?

Here’s the thing: If your cumulative GPA is low, but your last 60 hours are strong (especially in sciences), you’re already on a better footing than you think.

But why stop there?

• Stack on graduate-level sciences (biochem, advanced patho, research methods)
• Crush the GRE (if it’s required)
• Get your CCRN if you haven’t yet
• Build strong relationships with mentors who can write powerhouse letters
• Attend conferences, join committees and showcase your volunteer work

And above all—prepare for that interview like it’s your Super Bowl. Because honestly, it is.

How CSPA Can Help You Shine

At CRNA School Prep Academy, we’ve worked with thousands of nurses who came in unsure, overwhelmed, and feeling like their GPA was a permanent red mark.

What they found instead? A path forward—one that highlights what makes them truly stand out: clinical thinking, presence under pressure, emotional intelligence, and their ability to connect with faculty as future colleagues, not just applicants.

We don’t just prep you on what to say—we coach you on how to think. How to carry yourself when you’re asked something you don’t know. How to walk into that interview room and own your story—not in spite of your GPA, but because of the growth behind it.

You don’t need to be perfect. You need to be prepared. And that’s exactly where we come in.

You’re More Ready Than You Think

If you made it this far, it means you care deeply about your future—and I’m so glad you’re here.

As someone who’s walked this path, mentored thousands, and watched countless students go from self-doubt to acceptance letters, I can promise you: stats don’t define you. Strategy does.

The interview is your moment. Make sure you’re ready to shine when it counts.

💬 And hey—don’t do it alone.

We’re offering FREE coaching sessions during the entire month of July 2025 to help you get clear, get confident, and get moving.

Click here to schedule yours: https://community.crnaschoolprepacademy.com/c/stand-out-and-get-in-proven-strategies-for-crna-applicants

Stick around—I’ll be sharing more blog posts soon, with even more tips, CRNA insights, and real talk about what it takes to get in (and stay in) nurse anesthesia school.

See you soon—and don’t forget to book that July session.

You’ve got this.

— Jenny Finnell, CRNA & Founder of CRNA School Prep Academy

Important Links

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