Top 10 MBA Programs That Accept the GRE in 2026

Many graduate programs require applicants to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), a standardized test offered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). However, business schools, sometimes referred to as b-schools, may instead require the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) for Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs.

However, there are plenty of schools that accept both. Before you dive into more test prep, it's helpful to know where you can use your GRE. Keep reading to learn more about MBA programs that accept the GRE.

Do MBA Programs Accept the GRE?

Most MBA programs require students to take a graduate standardized exam for admission. The GRE is a commonly required exam for graduate school in general, but many MBA programs prefer the GMAT. The GMAT is administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) and tends to be more business-focused.

That being said, the GRE is still commonly accepted, and there are many MBA programs that accept the GRE and the GMAT.

Are MBA Programs That Accept the GRE Hard to Get Into?

In some cases, MBA schools that accept the GRE can be harder to get into, as the GRE is meant to apply to many fields. However, there are plenty of schools with high admissions rates that accept the GRE instead of the GMAT.

Best MBA Programs That Accept the GRE

There are several top in-person and online MBA programs that accept the GRE as an alternative to the GMAT. We've featured some of the best MBA programs that accept the GRE below.

1. Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a private research institution in Evanston, IL. The Kellogg School of Management offers a full-time MBA, an evening and weekend MBA, and an executive MBA.

Only the full-time MBA requires test scores, and it accepts both the GRE and GMAT. The average GRE scores for the MBA at Northwestern are 162 for the verbal portion and 163 for the quantitative reasoning portion. The GRE code for this MBA is 7921.

• Estimated tuition cost: $119,996 per year
• Financial aid: Northwestern accepts aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

2. Stanford University

Through Stanford University, students can earn an MBA in two years of full-time study. The Stanford Graduate School of Business accepts both the GRE and GMAT for the MBA application, with no preference between the two.

Stanford, a private institution, is located in Stanford, CA. The average student has a verbal GRE score of 163 and a quantitative score of 164. The GRE code for the Stanford MBA is 4704.

• Estimated tuition cost: $85,755 per year
• Financial aid: Stanford offers institutional aid, including fellowships. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), AACSB

3. University of Chicago

The University of Chicago offers four different MBA options through its Booth School of Business: a full-time MBA, evening and weekend options, and an executive MBA. The University of Chicago is a private research institution in Chicago.

The full-time MBA offers a range of concentrations, including business analytics, international business, and strategic management. Class profiles vary slightly between MBA options, but the average student in the full-time MBA has a 163 quantitative GRE score and a 161 verbal score.

• Estimated tuition cost: $87,354 per year
• Financial aid: The University of Chicago offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
• Accreditation: HLC, AACSB

4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The MBA at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is offered through the Sloan School of Management. It's a two-year, full-time program offered in a cohort format.

MIT, located in Cambridge, MA, is a private research university. It accepts both the GRE and GMAT for this program, and the GRE code is 3791. The admissions process also includes video essays and an interview.

• Estimated tuition cost: $89,000 per year
• Financial aid: MIT accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional aid, including scholarships and fellowships.
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), AACSB

5. New York University

New York University (NYU) is a private research institution in New York City. Its Stern School of Business offers multiple MBA options, including:

• full-time MBA (two years)
• part-time MBA (two to six years)
• technology and entrepreneurship MBA (one year)
• luxury and retail MBA (one year)

NYU accepts both the GRE and GMAT, as well as other standardized tests like the LSAT and MCAT. The average GRE scores for the full-time program are 164 on both portions. Codes differ between the programs, but the code for the full-time option is 4455.

• Estimated tuition cost: $89,524 per year
• Financial aid: NYU accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), AACSB

6. University of California, Berkeley

Students at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) can choose from several MBA options from the Haas School of Business. This includes a full-time MBA, an evening and weekend MBA, and a part-time MBA.

UC Berkeley, a public research university, is located in Berkeley, CA. It accepts the GMAT and GRE, and though there is no minimum score required, the average student scores a 161 on the verbal portion and a 162 on the quantitative portion. The code for the full-time program is 0574.

• Estimated tuition cost: $76,788 per year (in-state); $89,033 per year (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: UC Berkeley offers institutional aid, like scholarships. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs.
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), AACSB

7. University of Virginia

The University of Virginia (UVA) offers a full-time, part-time, and executive MBA through its Darden School of Business. UVA is a public research university in Charlottesville, VA.

Standardized test scores are not required for the part-time or executive MBA, but are required for full-time MBA admissions, though waivers are available to qualified students. The average cumulative GRE score here is 321.

• Estimated tuition cost: $37,881 per semester (in-state); $40,040 per semester (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: UVA offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, AACSB

8. Duke University

There are three options for the MBA at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. Students can take a two-year daytime MBA, a two-year hybrid weekend executive MBA, or a one-year accelerated daytime MBA.

Duke, located in Durham, NC, is a private research institution. It accepts the GRE, GMAT, and Executive Assessment (EA) scores. The average combined GRE score for students here ranges between 305 and 330. The GRE program code is 5156.

• Estimated tuition cost: $81,000 per year
• Financial aid: Duke accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources. It also offers institutional aid, including scholarships.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, AACSB

9. University of Michigan

The University of Michigan is a public research institution in Ann Arbor, MI. The Stephen M. Ross School of Business offers several MBA options, including:

• full-time MBA
• weekend part-time MBA
• online part-time MBA
• executive MBA

The full-time MBA requires either the GRE or GMAT. The executive does not, and the part-time options require either a standardized test or a waiver. The average student in the full-time program has a 162 quantitative GRE score and a 159 verbal GRE score.

• Estimated tuition cost: $76,152 per year (in-state); $81,152 per year (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: The University of Michigan accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private student aid.
• Accreditation: HLC, AACSB

10. University of Texas at Austin

Through the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), students can earn an MBA full-time or part-time. All students need to submit either their GMAT, GRE, or ES scores, although waivers are available to some students.

UT Austin, a public research university, is located in Austin, TX. The average GRE verbal score for students applying to the full-time MBA here is 159, while the average quantitative score is 162. Students will need the code 6882 to submit their scores.

• Estimated tuition cost: $55,196 per year (in-state); $61,214 per year (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: UT Austin offers institutional aid, including some options that completely cover tuition. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, AACSB

How We Rank Schools

To choose the top business schools that accept the GRE above, we focused on:

• Accreditation: All institutions listed are regionally accredited, and all business schools are accredited by the AACSB.
• GRE acceptance: Every MBA program listed above will accept the GRE as part of the application process.
• Reputation: We looked at the top business schools in the U.S. to create this list.

Tips for Applying to MBA Programs With the GRE

There are a few things you'll want to do when applying to an MBA program with the GRE. To start, ensure you meet the program's overall admissions requirements, not just the test requirements.

Many MBA programs have additional requirements, like a minimum GPA or work experience. Look at the class profile to get an idea of what the admissions committee is looking for.

Additionally, familiarize yourself with the GRE general test before taking the exam. In addition to the verbal and quantitative sections, there is also an analytical writing section and an unscored experimental section. Many sites online offer GRE prep to help test takers prepare for all parts of the GRE exam.

FAQs About MBA Programs That Accept the GRE

We've answered some frequently asked questions about MBA programs that accept the GRE so you can decide whether the GRE or GMAT is better for you.

Is the GMAT or GRE Easier for MBA?

Whether the GMAT or GRE is easier will depend on your particular strengths and weaknesses. In general, if you struggle with math, the GRE is probably the better option, whereas if you struggle with vocabulary and writing, the GMAT will be easier.

Do Top MBA Programs Prefer the GMAT Over the GRE?

The top MBA programs do not have a preference between the GMAT and GRE; they are happy to accept both options.

Can I Apply to MBA Programs Without Submitting Test Scores?

The most esteemed and rigorous MBA programs require you to submit test scores. However, there are numerous colleges and universities that don't require the GRE or GMAT.

Additionally, some students can obtain waivers from the admissions officers if they meet certain eligibility requirements. Check the info on the graduate program website to find out if you can get a waiver.

What Are Good GRE Scores for MBA Programs?

Most of the top MBA programs want to see GRE scores in the 80th percentile, between 160 and 163. Many schools provide class profiles so you can see what scores the average accepted student received.

Can I Submit Both GRE and GMAT Scores for an MBA?

Typically, you can only submit either the GRE or GMAT, not both. Since most schools will accept either, it's usually best to submit whichever has the higher score.

Explore MBA Programs

Find the perfect MBA program for you by exploring the MBA schools that accept the GRE listed above. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.