Easiest Nursing Schools to Get Into in Arkansas (2026)

Arkansas has some of the lowest published GPA floors in the country: three BSN programs list a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA, and several more sit at 2.5. But Arkansas also loves a second number, and most of those low cumulative floors pair with a higher science or prerequisite GPA, an entrance exam, or competitive ranking. This guide sorts out what the published requirements actually say as of July 2026.

The usual warning applies: a published minimum is a floor, not a guarantee. Programs rank applicants, cohorts land above the floor, and numbers change every cycle. Treat everything below as "as of July 2026, check the school's page for current numbers."

You can also skip straight to checking your odds free against real Arkansas requirements.

How we ranked "easiest"

We pulled every Arkansas program in the Nursing School Planner with verified or published requirements, then sorted by:

1. Lowest published minimum cumulative GPA
2. Whether an entrance exam is required, with no-exam programs treated as more accessible

Most accessible Arkansas BSN programs by published requirements

1. Southern Arkansas University (Magnolia): 2.0 overall GPA, HESI A2 around 75%

SAU publishes a 2.0 overall GPA, the lowest cumulative floor in the state, but pairs it with a 2.85 GPA in nursing science core courses and a HESI A2 of 75% or higher (the score does not round up). Accessible on the cumulative side, meaningful on the science and exam side.

2. University of Arkansas at Monticello: 2.0 GPA, NLN entrance exam

UAM lists a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA and uses the NLN nursing entrance exam, requiring a score at or above the national mean. Applicants are then ranked competitively by GPA, ACT or SAT, and exam score, so stronger numbers still win seats.

3. Harding University (Searcy): 2.0 GPA, HESI A2

Harding's Carr College of Nursing lists a 2.0 cumulative GPA in its catalog, but unconditional admission requires a science and pre-nursing GPA of 2.78 or higher (2.5 to 2.77 may be considered part-time). A standardized exam (HESI A2) is required with no published minimum. The 2.0 headline is real, but the 2.78 science line is the number that matters.

4. University of Arkansas - Fort Smith: 2.5 GPA, no entrance exam

UAFS publishes a 2.5 minimum cumulative GPA with no TEAS, HESI, or other entrance exam on file. You need 62 prerequisite credit hours before admission, but for exam-averse applicants this is the cleanest accessible package in the state.

5. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (Little Rock): 2.5 GPA, TEAS around 60%

UAMS, the state's academic medical center, lists a 2.5 cumulative and prerequisite GPA with a TEAS of 60%, and the TEAS is waived entirely if both GPAs are 3.4 or higher. A flagship-caliber program with one of the friendlier published packages anywhere.

6. Ouachita Baptist University (Arkadelphia): 2.5 GPA, TEAS around 63%

Ouachita publishes a 2.5 GPA overall and in its nursing core sciences (no D or F allowed in the sciences) with a TEAS of 63%. A small private option with clear, modest cutoffs.

7. University of Central Arkansas (Conway): 2.75 GPA, no entrance exam

UCA lists a 2.75 cumulative GPA and a 2.5 science GPA, with no TEAS or HESI required. Prerequisites need a C or better. One of the strongest no-exam options in Arkansas.

8. John Brown University (Siloam Springs): 2.8 GPA, no entrance exam

JBU publishes a 2.8 overall GPA and a 2.5 combined science GPA, with no entrance exam for admission (ATI testing is used after admission for NCLEX prep only). A&P I, A&P II, and Cell Biology each need a B-minus or better.

Schools we left off, and why

• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff: the pre-licensure BSN is closed to new admissions as of May 2026, with only the RN-to-BSN currently accepting students. Do not build a plan around it this cycle.
• Arkansas Tech University (Russellville): its 2.75 GPA and TEAS numbers on file are estimates rather than firm published cutoffs, so we excluded it from the ranked list. Check its page directly if it interests you.
• UAMS Northwest (Fayetteville): accelerated BSN only, which requires a prior bachelor's degree.

What the rest of Arkansas looks like

The top of the market sits at a 3.0 GPA: Arkansas State (no TEAS on file) and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, which adds both the TEAS and the CASPer test. Published cumulative floors on file range from 2.0 to 3.0. Compare every program at all Arkansas nursing programs.

How to use this list well

• Read the second number. In Arkansas, the science or core GPA is usually the real gate, not the cumulative floor.
• Use the UAMS waiver. A 3.4 GPA erases the TEAS there entirely.
• No-exam does not mean no ranking. UAFS, UCA, and JBU still choose among qualified applicants.
• Verify each cycle. Numbers are current as of July 2026.

Keep going with how to get into nursing school in Arkansas, what GPA you need for nursing school, and nursing schools that don't require the TEAS. Then see your odds free against every Arkansas program at once.

*This guide is for planning purposes only, not official admissions advice. Always confirm current requirements on each school's official admissions page before applying.*