What GPA Do You Need for Respiratory Therapy School- the difference between the minimum GPA and a competitive one — and the one number you can still change before you apply.
If you are planning to apply to respiratory therapy school, GPA is one of the first things you will worry about — and one of the most misunderstood. The honest answer to “what GPA do you need?” has two parts: the minimum that lets you apply, and the higher, competitive GPA that actually gets you in. Confusing the two is one of the most common reasons strong candidates get rejected.
This guide breaks down the GPA numbers respiratory therapy programs expect, explains why admission is usually ranked rather than pass/fail, and — most importantly — shows you the part of your GPA you can still improve before you apply. You can verify any program’s specific thresholds through the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
Short answer: Most respiratory therapy programs set a minimum cumulative GPA between 2.0 and 2.5, but competitive applicants are typically admitted closer to 3.0 or higher. Many programs also calculate a separate prerequisite or science GPA — and that number is often the most decisive, and the one you can most directly raise by completing or retaking prerequisite courses with strong grades.
GPA expectations vary by program level and selectivity, but the typical ranges look like this. Treat them as a starting point and confirm the exact figures with each program you are considering.
| Program type | Typical minimum GPA | Competitive / admitted GPA |
|---|---|---|
| Associate degree (entry-level) | Around 2.0–2.5 | Often 3.0+ where seats are limited |
| Bachelor’s degree | Around 2.5–3.0 | 3.0+ at selective programs |
| Master’s / advanced practice | Around 3.0 | 3.0–3.5 and above |
Notice the gap in every row between the minimum and the competitive number. That gap exists because of how respiratory therapy admission actually works — which is the next, and most important, thing to understand. (For a sense of why competition is intensifying, the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) reports strong, growing demand for respiratory therapists.)
Respiratory therapy programs are small. A cohort might be 15 to 30 students, and popular programs receive far more qualified applicants than they have seats. When that happens, the minimum GPA only determines who is eligible to apply — not who gets in. Among everyone who clears the minimum, admission is competitive and ranked.
In practice, that means:
So the useful question is not “do I meet the minimum?” but “how do I rank against the rest of the pool?” — and that reframes everything, because it points you toward the number you can still move.
Here is the part most applicants miss. Many respiratory therapy programs calculate a separate prerequisite or science GPA in addition to your cumulative GPA — and they often weight it heavily, because grades in anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, and math are the best predictor of how you will handle the program’s science-dense coursework.
This is good news, for two reasons:
If your cumulative GPA is below where you want it, completing your respiratory therapy science prerequisites with strong grades is the single most effective way to strengthen your application. It builds a high, recent prerequisite GPA, demonstrates current science readiness, and — at programs that count the highest attempt — can replace an earlier low grade entirely.
If your GPA needs work, you have more options than you might think. The most powerful ones focus on prerequisites, because that is where programs look hardest and where your effort moves the needle most.
A practical path: self-paced, online, regionally accredited prerequisite courses let you retake or complete the science slate on your own timeline and earn strong grades before the application deadline. That is exactly what the RT Science Prerequisite Bundle is designed for.
What is the minimum GPA for respiratory therapy school?
Most programs set a minimum cumulative GPA between 2.0 and 2.5 for associate programs and roughly 2.5 to 3.0 for bachelor’s programs. But the minimum only makes you eligible — competitive admitted GPAs are typically higher.
What GPA do I actually need to get in?
Because admission is usually ranked, aim for the competitive range — frequently around 3.0 or higher — rather than the published minimum. The average GPA of admitted students is the more realistic target.
What is a prerequisite or science GPA?
Many programs calculate a separate GPA based only on prerequisite (especially science) courses like anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, and math. It is often weighted heavily because it predicts success in the program’s science coursework.
Can I get in with a low GPA?
It is possible, particularly if you raise your prerequisite and science GPA with strong, recent grades, gain relevant healthcare experience, and present a strong overall application. A weak older record matters less than strong recent science performance.
Does retaking a course help my GPA?
Often, yes. Many programs count the highest attempt for prerequisite courses, so retaking a low grade can raise both your science GPA and your competitiveness. Confirm each program’s retake policy.
How recent do my prerequisite grades need to be?
Many programs require science prerequisites completed within the last 5 years (some allow up to 10). Recent strong grades also help offset an older weak record, so recency works in your favor.
The GPA you need for respiratory therapy school is rarely the published minimum — it is the higher, competitive number that wins a seat in a ranked applicant pool. The most controllable lever you have is your prerequisite and science GPA, built by completing or retaking your science prerequisites with strong, recent grades. After you graduate from a CoARC-accredited program, the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) administers the exams that lead to credentialing and licensure — so the science foundation you build now matters all the way through.
Ready to strengthen your application? Explore the RT Science Prerequisite Bundle at PrereqCourses.com — self-paced, online, regionally accredited courses you can use to build a strong prerequisite GPA before you apply. Confirm your target program’s GPA and retake policies with its admissions office as you plan.
Build the prerequisite GPA that strengthens your application:
GPA minimums, how prerequisite and science GPAs are calculated, retake and recency policies, and ranking systems vary by institution and change over time. This guide is for general information only and is not a guarantee of admission. Always confirm requirements directly with the respiratory therapy program you intend to apply to.
