10 MBA Programs With No GMAT or GRE Requirements 2027

Standardized tests aren't the barrier to business school they once were. A growing list of MBA programs have dropped the GMAT and GRE from their admissions process entirely, relying instead on your undergraduate record, professional experience, and overall application to decide whether you're ready for graduate-level coursework.

This article covers 10 MBA programs that don't require either test for admission. You'll find a mix of public universities, private nonprofits, and competency-based programs, each accredited and built with working professionals in mind.

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. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University's (SNHU) online MBA skips the GMAT and GRE entirely, and there's no work experience requirement or application fee standing between you and enrollment. More than 15 concentrations are available, from accounting and business analytics to sport management and sustainability, giving career-changers plenty of room to specialize.

The 30-credit program runs across five 10-week terms a year and can be finished in as few as 15 months, with additional foundational courses added only when your undergraduate background calls for them. SNHU's MBA carries accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

2. Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) takes a competency-based approach to its online MBA, meaning you advance through material as you demonstrate mastery rather than sitting through a fixed semester schedule. No GMAT, GRE, or minimum GPA stands between you and admission, and rolling enrollment means you can start with a new term nearly every month.

Motivated students who already bring relevant work experience often move through coursework faster than a traditional program would allow, since WGU's flat-rate tuition model rewards pace rather than penalizing it. The university's College of Business holds accreditation from the ACBSP.

3. Boise State University

Boise State removed its GMAT and GRE requirement in 2023, choosing instead to weigh work experience, academic performance, and personal statements more heavily in admissions decisions. Most incoming students bring close to nine years of professional experience, though the program only requires two years of management background to apply.

You can complete the 49-credit online MBA in as little as 12 months, choosing a general track or a concentration in areas like healthcare leadership, business analytics, or construction management. Boise State's College of Business and Economics is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

4. Georgia Southwestern State University

Georgia Southwestern State University's (GSW) online MBA doesn't require GMAT or GRE scores, and the program has been recognized nationally as one of the most affordable AACSB-accredited MBAs in the country. A generalist curriculum blends finance, marketing, management, and international business into a single cohesive track rather than splitting students into narrow concentrations.

Coursework can be completed in as few as 18 months, with rolling admissions across fall, spring, and summer terms. GSW's business program carries AACSB accreditation, a distinction held by fewer than 5% of business schools worldwide.

5. National University

National University's online MBA doesn't require GMAT or GRE scores for admission, and its four-week course format lets you start a new class nearly every month rather than waiting for a traditional semester. The Center for Creative Leadership helped shape parts of the curriculum, giving the program a distinct focus on leadership development alongside standard business fundamentals.

Students can finish the degree in as little as 12 months, and the San Diego-based nonprofit serves learners nationwide through its fully online format. National University's business programs hold accreditation from both the ACBSP and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).

6. Liberty University

Liberty University's online MBA doesn't require a GMAT or GRE score, a policy the school points to as a reflection of its working-professional student base. Eighteen concentrations are available, covering everything from healthcare management and digital marketing to supply chain management, making it one of the broader specialization menus among online MBA programs.

The 45-credit program typically takes 18 to 24 months to complete, though a condensed 36-credit track is available for applicants who qualify. Liberty's MBA carries accreditation from the ACBSP, held by roughly 3% of business schools worldwide.

7. Eastern University

Eastern University's MBA in Organizational Management doesn't use GMAT or GRE scores in its admissions process at all, keeping the application focused on your transcripts and professional background. The self-paced LifeFlex format lets you move through seven-week course terms as quickly or slowly as your schedule allows, including the option to take terms off entirely.

At just 30 credits, the program can be finished in as little as ten months, with concentrations available in areas like business analytics, healthcare administration, and strategic leadership. Eastern's MBA is accredited by the ACBSP, and its students have scored well above peer averages on a national business knowledge benchmark exam.

8. Eastern Oregon University

Eastern Oregon University's (EOU) online MBA requires no GMAT, GRE, or prior work experience, asking instead for a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and demonstrated competency in core business areas. Elective options range from emotional intelligence and disaster recovery to agribusiness and alternative business strategies, giving the program an unusually broad elective menu for its size.

Most students complete two courses every 11 weeks and finish the degree in about 18 months, though a faster pace is available for those studying full time. EOU's online MBA carries accreditation from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).

9. University of the Cumberlands

University of the Cumberlands doesn't require GMAT or GRE scores for its online MBA, and the Hutton School of Business has built a reputation for affordability alongside that accessible admissions policy. Coursework spans leadership, finance, and data analytics, and the program was ranked among the top 10 online MBAs nationally by Forbes Advisor.

A comprehensive written exam near the end of the program serves as a capstone assessment rather than a traditional thesis, giving students a chance to demonstrate mastery across the full curriculum. The Hutton School of Business holds accreditation from the IACBE.

10. Colorado State University Global

Colorado State University Global's online MBA doesn't require the GMAT or GRE, and the 30-credit program includes 19 focus areas ranging from finance and cybersecurity to healthcare administration and product management. As a public, not-for-profit institution, CSU Global also guarantees no tuition increases for the life of a student's program.

Courses run in an asynchronous, 8-week format with new terms starting every month, so you're never far from a fresh start date. CSU Global's business programs carry accreditation from the ACBSP.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university. We also weigh a few criteria specific to GRE-accepting MBA programs.

• Accreditation: Every program on this list carries recognized, program-specific business accreditation, most commonly from AACSB.
• Testing policy: Each school's current published policy on accepting or converting GRE scores is confirmed directly through admissions materials.
• Program flexibility: Online and hybrid delivery formats designed for working professionals are prioritized throughout the list.
• Affordability: Programs that keep total costs reasonable relative to their accreditation tier are weighted more favorably.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

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.