MBA Programs That Don't Require the GMAT

The GMAT is often the bane of business school applicants, especially those who have been out of school for several years. If you perform poorly on standardized tests due to test anxiety, or you loathe the prospect of calculating the area of a square inscribed within a circle and writing timed essays, there is good news yet. Many accredited business schools and traditional MBA programs do not require the GMAT!

Some universities accept work experience in lieu of the GMAT, while others may accept GRE scores (Yale, Columbia, Harvard, Wharton). Many MBA programs waive testing requirements for applicants who already have graduate degrees. Other schools simply have lower admissions requirements.

Below is a list of 24 traditional brick-and-mortar MBA programs that have flexible GMAT policies.

  • Charleston Southern University does not require the GMAT for its MBA program, so long as the applicant has an undergrad GPA higher than 2.5, or a Master's degree from an accredited university.

  • Morehead State University does not require the GMAT for its MBA program, so long as the applicant has a Master's degree from an accredited university. They also accept the GRE in lieu of the GMAT.

  • The University of Tampa does not require the GMAT for its MBA program, so long as the applicant has a Master's degree from an accredited university.

  • DePaul University does not require the GMAT for its Master of Science in Taxation, so long as the applicant has succeeded on the CPA exam. DePaul University accepts the GRE in place of the GMAT for its Master of Science in Human Resources Management.

  • Rutgers Business School does not require the GMAT for applicants who hold either a Ph.D, J.D., M.D., or Pharm.D. Accounting applicants do not have to take the GMAT if they hold a CPA license.

  • California State University, East Bay (Continuing Education) does not require the GMAT for applicants with at least 5 years of relevant business experience.

  • Assumption College does not require the GMAT.

  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute does not require the GMAT for the MS in Management. The GRE may be accepted in lieu of the GMAT for other MBA programs.

  • Lawrence Technological University does not require the GMAT for applicants whose GPAs are above 3.0, or those who hold a Master's degree.

  • Concordia University does not require the GMAT.

  • Lincoln University does not require the GMAT.

  • Milligan University does not require the GMAT for applicants whose GPAs are above 3.0.

  • The University of Nevada, Reno does not require the GMAT for admission to its Master of Accountancy program, so long as the applicant has an undergrad GPA of 3.5 and an undergrad major in accountancy from an accredited business school.

  • The University of Louisiana of Monroe accepts the GRE in lieu of the GMAT.

  • Findlay University accepts the GRE in lieu of the GMAT.

  • The University of Kentucky accepts the GRE in lieu of the GMAT for its Doctoral Accountancy program.

  • Sloan Business School at MIT accepts the GRE in lieu of the GMAT.

  • Frostburg State University accepts the GRE in lieu of the GMAT. If an applicant has an undergrad GPA of 3.25 and two years of relevant work experience, the testing requirement is waived.

  • Idaho State University accepts the GRE in lieu of the GMAT if the applicant has a Master's degree from an accredited university.

  • The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh will waive the GMAT if the applicant has either a graduate degree from an accredited university, a professional certification such as a CPA license, or 10+ years experience in upper level management.

  • Mills College, historically a women's university, does not require the GMAT from MBA applicants.

  • Champlain College does not require the GMAT from MBA applicants, though taking the exam is encouraged and can improve your application if you earn a good score.

  • The University of Illinois Urbana-Chamapaine does not require the GMAT for admission to its MS Tax program. However, applicants must have an undergraduate degree in accounting and two years of tax experience.

  • Long Island University does not require the GMAT for MBA admissions so long as the applicant has one of the following: LSAT score above 140, Ph.D., J.D, CPA license, or Master's degree in engineering. The GRE cannot be taken in place of the GMAT.


Two types of non-traditional MBA programs usually have no GMAT requirement: executive MBA programs (EMBA) and online MBA programs.

Executive MBA degrees are for professionals who have significant business experience. Their real-world knowledge cannot be measured by the GMAT, and so EMBA programs waive this requirement.

Online MBAs are growing in popularity, and online universities are among the most affordable schools. Because they have lower admission standards, they do not require applicants to pass the GMAT.

Business Certificate Programs

Graduate certificates in business administration are another alternative to MBA programs. Certificate programs include only the core MBA courses and usually take one year or less to complete. Most graduate business certificate programs waive the GMAT so long as applicants have a Bachelor's degree and an acceptable undergraduate GPA. Here are 2 such programs that do not require the GMAT:



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