10 MBA Programs With No GMAT or GRE Requirements 2025

Getting a Master of Business Administration (MBA) can help you take your business career to the next level. Maybe you're considering enrolling in an MBA program and are curious about the options. In particular, you'd like to find a program that doesn't require you to submit GMAT or GRE scores as part of your application.

Keep reading as we explore some top MBA programs with no GMAT requirements, as well as no GRE scores. We'll also provide answers to some common questions you may be wondering about.

Are GMAT and GRE Scores Required for an MBA Program?

Whether or not GMAT and GRE scores are required for a particular graduate program will depend on your chosen school's admissions policy. There are many schools that require these scores, or other standardized test scores, as part of the admissions process.

Some MBA programs require either the GMAT or the GRE and will specify which test students should take and submit. Still, others typically do require the GMAT or GRE, but may waive this requirement if you have a high GPA or significant work experience.

There are also many MBA programs that don't require GRE scores and have no GMAT requirements. These schools either don't consider the GMAT or GRE scores when making admissions decisions, or the scores are optional and don't play a big role in whether or not a student is accepted.

Why Schools Are Dropping GMAT and GRE Requirements

More and more schools are offering GRE and GMAT waivers or simply eliminating standardized test requirements. There may be several reasons for this.

Many schools of business are opting for a more holistic admissions process, placing more importance on a student's application as a whole and not just their standardized test performance. What's more, there's a growing recognition that standardized tests don't tell the whole story and can't necessarily predict a student's academic performance.

Many schools dropped their test requirements or started offering test waivers during the COVID-19 pandemic, when testing availability was limited. Schools began to recognize that these tests were not necessary to determine a student's success.

Finally, many schools dropped GMAT and GRE requirements for the sake of convenience and flexibility. This is true of many online programs, including some of the most affordable online MBAs.

Top MBA Programs With No GMAT/GRE Requirements

As noted, there are many schools that don't require GMAT scores. Let's take a closer look at some top MBA graduate programs with no GRE requirements.

1. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois System. It offers a flexible and affordable online MBA program known as the iMBA.

Students can complete the program in as little as 24 months, and all coursework is completed remotely. A wide range of courses are available to help students customize their degree to their career goals.

• Estimated tuition cost: $26,136 total
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Florida International University

Florida International University is a public school headquartered in Westchester, FL. Qualifying students can enroll in the school's online professional MBA (PMBA) program.

This highly flexible program allows students to complete in as little as 18 months and choose from five yearly start dates. Students can choose from specializations such as entrepreneurship and innovation, international business, and real estate, depending on their professional plans.

• Estimated tuition cost: $42,000 total
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

3. Ohio University

Ohio University is a public school located in Athens, OH. Its online master's degree program in business can be completed in as little as 12 months.

The program features 11 concentrations and accelerated seven-week course sessions for maximum flexibility. It maintains specialized accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), making it one of the top 5% of business programs in the world.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,051 per credit hour
• Accreditation: HLC

4. The University of Scranton

The University of Scranton is a private school located in Pennsylvania. Its Kania School of Management features an AACSB-accredited MBA program that can be completed online or in person.

The program offers nine specializations in career-focused areas, such as healthcare management and business analytics. The entire program consists of 36 credit hours and is completed in two years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $965 per credit hour
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

5. Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University is a public school in Baton Rouge, LA. It prepares students for real-world business roles through its flexible online MBA program.

Students take a required set of core courses along with a customizable core and a customizable set of electives. They can choose from four concentrations and complete the 36-credit-hour program in as little as 18 months.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,115 per credit hour
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. University of Dayton

The University of Dayton is a private school in Dayton, OH. It offers both on-campus and online MBA degree options.

Students in both programs benefit from flexible classes designed to fit the needs of busy professionals. Concentrations are available in cybersecurity, finance, and marketing.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,145 per credit hour
• Accreditation: HLC

7. Bellevue University

Bellevue University is a private school located in Bellevue, NE. It offers flexible online MBA programs for both online and in-person learners.

The program is designed to meet the needs of working adults. Students can earn transfer credit for work experience and take classes on whatever schedule works for them. Numerous concentrations are available.

• Estimated tuition cost: $680 per credit hour
• Accreditation: HLC

8. Husson University

Husson University is a private school in Bangor, ME. Students can choose from online, hybrid, in-person, day, and evening MBA options to best align with their schedules.

The program is designed with flexibility in mind, making it possible for students from all walks of life to advance their education. Students benefit from personalized attention from faculty with real-world experience.

• Estimated tuition cost: $18,600 per year
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

9. University of Redlands

University of Redlands is a private school in Redlands, CA. Its MBA program is available on campus, as well as in synchronous and asynchronous online formats.

The program ranges between 36 and 48 credit hours, depending on specialization chosen, and students can graduate in as little as one year. Concentrations include human resources and organizational leadership.

• Estimated tuition cost: $962 per credit hour
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

10. Chatham University

Chatham University is a private school located in Pittsburgh, PA. It offers a flexible MBA program that is typically completed within one year.

The 30-credit program features online, in-person, and hybrid courses to meet each student's individual needs. Students can choose from in-demand concentrations and benefit from a rolling admissions process, four yearly start dates, and the ability to receive credit for prior learning.

• Estimated tuition cost: $20,000 total
• Accreditation: MSCHE

How We Rank Schools

We strive to select only top programs when creating our school rank lists. We selected the above programs based on the following criteria:

• Accreditation: Each college of business is institutionally accredited, and several of the programs also maintain AACSB accreditation as well.
• Admissions requirements: All of the schools feature relatively relaxed admissions standards, and none of them require the GMAT or GRE.
• Program reputation: Each graduate school of business is known for providing top-ranked full-time and part-time MBA programs for in-person and online learners.

What Admissions Committees Look for Instead

Even if a school doesn't require GMAT or GRE scores, it will still be looking for students with strong applications. Some of the things admissions committees look for in prospective MBA students include:

• Professional experience: Though some MBA programs admit students right after they've earned their bachelor's degree, most expect them to have professional work experience. At least two to five years of work experience in a business capacity is standard.
• Undergraduate GPA: MBA admissions teams look for students with a strong potential to succeed academically. Therefore, a strong GPA of 3.0 to 3.5 is often expected.
• Resume and statement of purpose: The resume and statement of purpose give MBA applicants a chance to stand out from the crowd. Be sure to highlight your best work experiences, professional certifications (i.e., CFA), plans, goals, and passion for business in these documents.
• Letters of recommendation: Most MBA programs require letters of recommendation or professional references as part of the application process. Your school will specify the number of letters they require (usually two or three) and who they should be from.
• Interview performance: Promising applicants may be awarded the opportunity to interview with their chosen college of business. Preparing for this interview ahead of time can help with your performance when it comes time for the interview.

FAQs About No-GMAT/GRE MBA Programs

If you still have questions about schools that don't require the GRE or GMAT test, keep reading. Below, we'll answer some frequently asked questions you may be asking.

Are No-GMAT MBAs Less Respected?

No, there are many reputable and respected MBA programs for working professionals that don't require standardized test scores. As long as your school is accredited and does not have a poor reputation, your MBA should be respected as much as any that doesn't require the GRE or GMAT.

Who Should Consider a No-GMAT/GRE MBA?

While the GMAT or GRE can help some students demonstrate their academic aptitude, it isn't for everyone. Working professionals with significant experience, career changers or adult students, and students with strong undergraduate GPAs or prior graduate degrees have little need to take either exam. Even if these students attend schools that generally require standardized tests, they often provide GMAT and GRE waivers for these students.

Do Online MBA Programs Require the GMAT or GRE?

Whether a particular MBA program requires the GMAT or GRE will depend on the school's policies. Some online MBA programs require these test scores; others do not. Check with your schools of choice to find out if standardized test scores are required for any of the programs you're considering.

What Is the Easiest MBA Program To Get Into?

There is no one school that is said to have the ''easiest MBA program to get into.'' Generally speaking, any school that features relaxed admissions requirements and has a high acceptance rate will be somewhat easier to get into than others.

That said, it's important to remember that ''easy'' is a relative term, and whether you find a particular program easy to get into or not will depend on how well your application materials, experience, and particular strengths and weaknesses align with the school's admissions standards.

Are Executive MBA Programs Test-Free?

Many schools offer executive MBA programs designed for busy working professionals. These types of programs are often test-optional or test-free; however, different schools have different policies. Check with the admissions department at any school you're considering to ensure you can fulfill the basic application requirements.

Find an MBA Degree Program

If you're ready to begin your advanced degree in business, explore the schools here on Learn.org. Contact any of the schools directly to learn more about their MBA programs and choose the right one for you.