Chiropractic is an exciting alternative to a career in traditional medicine if you prefer to focus on national healing. It also provides a faster path to going into practice on your own, as there are no residency requirements after you finish your schooling.
Getting into chiropractic school is competitive, but much less so than medical school. The average GPA for chiropractic school varies between institutions but ranges from a 3.2 to a 3.7. Most programs require a GPA of 3.0 or higher in order to be accepted, although some offer conditional acceptance with a GPA between 2.75 and 2.99 if your application is strong in other areas.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Average GPA for Chiropractic School?
- What Is the Minimum GPA to Get Into Chiropractic School?
- Is the MCAT Required for Chiropractic School?
- What Is the Chiropractic College Aptitude Test?
- What Should I Major In if I Want to Go to Chiropractic School?
- Do Chiropractic Colleges Require Health Care Experience?
- Can I Really Go to Chiropractic College Without a Bachelor’s Degree?
- What Is the Acceptance Rate to Chiropractic School?
- What Are the Easiest Chiropractic Colleges to Get Into?
- Bottom Line on the Average GPA for Chiropractic School
What Is the Average GPA for Chiropractic School?
Because chiropractic colleges don’t fill out common data sets the way traditional colleges and universities do, we don’t have an official measure of the average GPA for chiropractic school. Instead, we have to rely on self-reported data from various programs’ websites.
The average GPA for chiropractic school is between a 3.2 and a 3.7 depending on the program. You should always check with the specific school that you are interested in to see what their requirements are. Most schools require at least a 2.75 GPA, and for applicants with less than a 3.0 average, there are often conditions that must be met before they’re fully admitted to the program. These conditions might include additional coursework or advising during the first year.
Also keep in mind that your GPA is just one part of your application. You also want to make sure you also have strong letters of recommendation and a well-written essay and that you demonstrate not just interest but a genuine passion for the field. To maximize your chances of acceptance, you should apply to several chiropractic colleges.
What Is the Minimum GPA to Get Into Chiropractic School?
The minimum GPA at most chiropractic schools is a 3.0. However, many schools offer conditional admission to students with GPAs as low as 2.75 if they demonstrate strength in other areas, such as strong grades in their science classes or glowing letters of recommendation. Students admitted conditionally must meet certain requirements before they’re considered full-fledged members of the program.
Even though 3.0 is the stated minimum at most chiropractic colleges, they tend to prefer students with 3.2 GPAs or higher. If your GPA is hovering just above or below a 3.0, it might be worth it to take a few extra classes at a local university or community college to try to nudge your average above a 3.2. You should talk to the admissions officers at the schools you’re interested in before applying in order to get a feel for what you need to do to get accepted.
Is the MCAT Required for Chiropractic School?
The MCAT is not required for chiropractic school. If you’ve taken the exam, perhaps because you’re considering med school as an option along with chiropractic college, it doesn’t hurt to send the results with your application, as a strong score indicates readiness to excel in a chiropractic program. But no chiropractic schools in America require the MCAT (or the GRE, for that matter).
What Is the Chiropractic College Aptitude Test?
The Chiropractic College Aptitude Test (CCAT) is a standardized test used to assess the academic preparedness of students who are interested in attending a chiropractic college. The CCAT is made up of 100 multiple-choice questions that cover math, biology, chemistry, and physics. The test is administered in a computer-based format and takes approximately an hour to an hour and a half to complete, and your score is valid for two years.
The CCAT isn’t required at most chiropractic colleges, but like the MCAT, it can signal aptitude and readiness for the program, which may increase your chances of admission, particularly if your application is otherwise borderline.
What Should I Major In if I Want to Go to Chiropractic School?
There are many different majors that can lead to a career in chiropractic. Some of the most popular include biology, physiology, and pre-medicine. That said, any major that provides a strong foundation in the sciences can lead to a successful career in chiropractic medicine.
No matter what you choose to major in — it could even be something in the humanities, like English or history — you want to make sure you have plenty of science classes under your belt if you plan on applying to chiropractic school. No chiropractic colleges have specific major requirements, but all have a list of science prerequisites that looks similar to what is required for med school.
Do Chiropractic Colleges Require Health Care Experience?
No, health care experience is not required to attend chiropractic college. In fact, many chiropractors never worked in the health care field before becoming a chiropractor. Some transitioned into the profession later in life after working in a different career outside of health care. Some are veterans who got out of the service and decided to pursue a career as a chiropractor. Chiropractic colleges are looking for individuals who have a passion for helping others and are committed to natural healing.
Can I Really Go to Chiropractic College Without a Bachelor’s Degree?
Some chiropractic colleges will accept students without a bachelor’s degree. However, they typically require at least three years of college, 90 credit hours, and a long list of science prerequisites. Even at chiropractic schools that don’t require it, having a bachelor’s degree can give you an advantage when competing for admission.
What Is the Acceptance Rate to Chiropractic School?
The acceptance rate at most chiropractic schools is actually pretty high, especially compared to medical school, dental school, physical therapy school, and other graduate programs in health care. Depending on the institution, chiropractic schools have average acceptance rates of between 50 and 70%.
If you want to get into chiropractic school, you’ll need a strong academic record and a well-rounded application, but it should be comforting to know that the admissions process isn’t cutthroat.
What Are the Easiest Chiropractic Colleges to Get Into?
The following chiropractic colleges tend to have the highest acceptance rates and most lenient admissions requirements.
Life University
- Location: Marietta, GA
- Tuition for entire program: $138,510
Life University is a private health sciences institution in Marietta, Georgia, just north of Atlanta. It was established in 1974 and is the largest chiropractic college in the world. In addition to its chiropractic school, Life offers associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in various health science fields. Its Doctor of Chiropractic program boasts an impressive 97% retention rate for first-year students.
Palmer College of Chiropractic
- Location: Davenport, IA and Port Orange, FL
- Tuition for entire program: $126,460
Palmer College of Chiropractic was the first chiropractic school in the world, founded in 1897 by Dr. DD Palmer. It offers two campuses: one in Iowa, the other in Florida. Its curriculum consists of a blend of evidence-based and theory-based medicine.
Sherman College of Chiropractic
- Location: Spartanburg, SC
- Tuition for entire program: $127,876
Sherman College of Chiropractic, founded by Dr. J. Clay Sherman in 1902, is dedicated solely to chiropractic education. It offers admission without a bachelor’s degree if you have completed 90 semester hours of college coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, along with 24 hours of sciences (at least half including a lab) and 15 hours of humanities coursework.
Parker University
- Location: Dallas, TX
- Tuition for entire program: $129,550
Parker University offers a 10-trimester Doctor of Chiropractic program at its Dallas, TX campus. Its graduates make an average salary of $147,000 per year in the field and have a student loan default rate of less than 2%.
Bottom Line on the Average GPA for Chiropractic School
The average GPA for chiropractic school ranges from a 3.2 to a 3.7 depending on the school and the program. This is more manageable than med school, which is almost impossible to get into these days with a GPA lower than the 3.6-3.7 range, but you should strive for the best grades you can get if you want to become a chiropractor.
Fortunately, there are many great chiropractic schools, including some with rather lenient admissions criteria. Before applying, research a variety of programs to find the best fit.
