Some of the top universities in the USA do not require GMAT scores for admission to their MBA programs. Students who wish to pursue an MBA in USA without GMAT need to have relevant work experience, a convincing resume, strong academic record, letters of references, etc.
International students can pursue MBA in USA without GMAT as some business schools in the USA accept applicants without GMAT scores for admission to their MBA programs. These US universities waive the GMAT requirements and admit students based on alternative admission requirements. Read through the article to learn about the top universities and programs that offer MBA in USA without GMAT.
Top Universities in USA for MBA Without GMAT
The following table lists some top universities that offer MBA in USA without GMAT, along with the details of approximate annual tuition for students pursuing an MBA program:
| Universities | Annual Fees (USD) |
|---|---|
| Lubin School Of Business, Pace University | 48,410 80,340 |
| College of Business, Florida International University | 47,000 |
| Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University | 107,197 141,293 |
| Kenan Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 47,406 |
| Babson College | 44,775 |
| Hult International Business School | 37,900 85,000 |
| University of Phoenix | 9,900 23,034 |
Lubin School Of Business, Pace University
Lubin School of Business offers an MBA program in multiple subject areas, including business, corporate finance, marketing, and many more. The university is known for its flexible teaching methods and encourages students to participate in different workshops.
It is one of the most prominent universities in the USA where you can pursue an MBA without taking the GMAT. Applicants must have an undergraduate GPA score of 3.0 or higher in order to qualify for the GMAT waiver.
Read More: Pace University
College of Business, Florida International University
An MBA offered by Florida International University includes a comprehensive curriculum that incorporates business analytics, corporate finance, accounting for managers, decision making, etc. In addition to the following, four professional development seminars (PDS) are held for students after completing the program.
To be eligible for a GMAT waiver, a candidate must have two years of work experience and a strong academic GPA of 3.25 or higher in an undergraduate business or related degree program. Candidates that do not have an undergraduate degree in a business related field need a GPA of at least 3.35.
Read More: Florida International University
Kellogg School Of Management, Northwestern University
Kellogg School of Management provides an intensive and unique one year MBA program. It is taught by highly experienced professionals and designed specifically for students who wish to enhance their business fundamentals and professional skills. Students can also pursue two year MBA programs in a few different streams, helping them become global market leaders.
Students pursuing a full time MBA program at the college are also eligible for a GMAT waiver. The school is one of the most sought after business schools for MBA in the USA without GMAT since it does not require GMAT scores for the executive program. Due to the current covid situation, the school also provided a GMAT waiver for the third round of the full time MBA program.
Read More: Northwestern University
Kenan Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
UNC Kenan Flager Business School offers different types of MBA programs, including full time, online, evening, and weekend programs. The aim of the university is to celebrate diversity and recognize the potential of each student. It is one of the best business schools for working professionals, as they will be eligible for a GMAT waiver.
Students applying for the weekend and evening programs at this school are exempted from the GMAT requirement provided that they have relevant professional work experience of 5 years or possess a masters degree in a technical field. Apart from this, students having a CPA or CFA certification are also eligible for the GMAT waiver.
Read More: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Babson College
The MBA program at Babson College offers highly flexible subject options where 2/3 of the course subjects can be chosen by students. Babson offers a full time and part time MBA program, as well as a blended MBA program for working professionals who wish to attain this internationally recognized degree. A GMAT score is not required for admission to the blended MBA program, but extensive work experience in your chosen specialization is required.
Hult International Business School
Hult International School requires international applicants to appear for the Hult Business Assessment test instead of submitting the GMAT scores. A good score on this test will help the university evaluate the applications for admission.
In addition to this, students must have documents like an updated resume, statement of purpose, professional reference letter, a copy of bachelor’s degree or equivalent, scholarship application, etc., to apply for the MBA program at the Hult International Business School.
Read More: Hult International Business School
University of Phoenix
MBA students at the University of Phoenix can choose from several study options and specializations in a business oriented environment. To be considered for admission, applicants are not required to submit their GMAT scores. At the University of Phoenix, applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
To apply, students must have a UG degree from an accredited university with a cumulative GPA of 2.4 on a scale of 4.0. Furthermore, they should have one year of professional experience and English language proficiency proof.
MBA Programs in the USA Without GMAT Requirement
A high GMAT score is required for admission to most of the world's top business schools. There are, however, a number of institutions that do not consider GMAT scores at all when accepting applications for management programs.
In the United States, most of the executive MBA programs do not require students to submit GMAT scores. However, US universities take into account students' work experience, letters of recommendation, personal statements, etc., for admission to their executive or professional MBA programs. The table given below provides the list of top MBA programs in the USA that do not require GMAT scores:
| Type of Program | Business School |
|---|---|
| Executive MBA | Sawyer Business School, Suffolk University |
| One Year MBA | Hult International Business School |
| Executive MBA and MBA in Financial Management | Lubin School of Business, Pace University |
| Professional MBA | College of Business, Florida International University |
| Executive MBA | Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University |
| Executive MBA | Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California |
GMAT Waiver in USA
Several US universities offer GMAT waiver to international students who wish to pursue an MBA in the USA. With the help of a GMAT waiver, students are exempted from submitting a GMAT score to gain admission to an MBA program in the USA. However, in this case, students need to meet other requirements and conditions. These alternative requirements include good academic profile, relevant work experience, letters of recommendation, etc. Refer to the next section to get detailed explanation of the alternatives for MBA in USA without GMAT.
Alternatives for MBA in the USA Without GMAT
Although GMAT aims to assess a candidate's verbal, analytical, and quantitative abilities, it cannot predict their professional skills and other core qualities. Hence, universities consider other factors like practical exposure, research skills, academic records, etc., to exempt candidates from providing GMAT scores. Explore these alternatives if you wish to pursue an MBA in USA without GMAT.
- Work Experience and Professional Skills
- A Well Written Statement of Purpose
- A Convincing Resume
- Letters of Recommendation
- Strong Academic Record
Work Experience and Professional Skills
An MBA program is practical in nature and focuses more on scientific management techniques applied to business ventures. As a result, business schools around the world consider work experience to be the most important requirement for admission.
Universities can assess your suitability for the MBA course based on your previous work experience and skills like management, leadership, critical thinking, etc. It is recommended that students have at least four years of work experience before applying to US universities.
A Well Written Statement of Purpose
Many business schools believe that GMAT scores provide less information about applicants' qualities and managerial abilities. Thus, they refer to the information stated in the personal statement of the candidate. A well drafted SOP outlines qualities such as team management, intellectual abilities, professional goals, leadership skills, interpersonal skills, etc. You will have a greater chance of getting accepted to your desired USA university if you include all these attributes in your statement of purpose.
A Convincing Resume
If the applicant does not have a GMAT score, they must present a convincing resume that sets them apart. Applicants must describe their educational background, past work experience, personal objectives, and professional skills.
When students apply for MBA without a GMAT score, a cover letter along with the resume is an added advantage. It is important to highlight your skills and experience and how these skills will help you contribute to the university.
Letters of Recommendation
Two professional letters of recommendation for an MBA can enhance a student's profile. LORs are one of the best ways to support your MBA applications without GMAT scores in the USA.
The best recommendation letter comes from someone who has directly supervised or overseen the applicant's work in their previous organization. An added advantage is being recommended by a person who has excelled in their field or occupied a position of responsibility.
Strong Academic Record
You must also have a strong academic record with a high GPA from your undergraduate degree, as universities that offer MBAs in the USA use academic credentials as a substitute for GMAT scores.
Students with high grades in their previous education often qualify for GMAT waivers at US universities. With a grade point average of 3.3 or more on a 4.0 scale, students can apply to MBA programs in the USA without taking the GMAT. Hence, Indian students must get more than 86% or 7 8 on the CGPA scale.
1 Year MBA in USA without GMAT
The 1 year MBA program is designed for students who are interested in completing their MBA in a short duration and gaining a deeper understanding of business management. This will also help candidates to enter the corporate world at an early stage. By adding this experience to your CV, you can make yourself more competitive in the job market. Here are a few universities and B schools in the US which offer 1 year MBA programs without GMAT requirements :
- Bryant University
- The University of Findlay
- University of the People
- Goizueta Business School
- Babson College
- Hult International Business School
- University of Vermont
- Clarkson University Graduate School
- Mercy College
Online MBA without GMAT in the USA
Online MBA courses have become increasingly popular in the past few years, especially among busy individuals who cannot attend a university campus full time for two years. However, many online MBA programs still have GMAT requirements so that the universities can assess the academic preparedness of the applicants. Some universities do provide an online MBA program without GMAT (or GRE), and we have provided a list of such universities below:
- Northwestern University
- Babson College
- The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
- University of Nebraska
- George Washington University
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Indiana University Bloomington
