Top Universities in USA Without GRE in 2026
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Top Universities in USA Without GRE in 2026

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Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Updated on Feb 12, 2026 17:11 IST
GRE or Graduate Record Examinations is a standardized test required for getting into many graduate schools in the United States, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. GRE scores are accepted by thousands of graduate schools worldwide for giving admission to MS courses. However, there are a lot of students who still don't want to give the GRE exam

While many Master's programs in USA require GRE or GMAT scores. Nearly 60% of universities have waived this requirement. Several top universities in USA without GRE offer admission, though some remain test-optional. This shift provides Indian students more flexible pathways for advanced studies.

top universities in us without gre

Getting into a MS program in the United States often require GRE 2026 results. GRE scores are accepted by thousands of graduate schools worldwide for admission to MS courses. This is a standardized test used for admissions. Many students prefer to skip this step to save time and money. Good news is that you do not always need a GRE score to study in top US universites. In fact, around 60% of US universities have now removed or waived this requirement. Many top universities in USA without GRE focus on your actual skills and academic history instead of a single test score.

Famous schools like MIT offer popular courses in Computer Science and Engineering without requiring GRE 2026 scores. Admissions teams see your overall performance. Not Just your GPA score.

MIT, Stanford, and UC Berkeley are among top universities in USA without GRE. It offer popular courses related to various fields. This waiver applies to both Master's and PhD courses across many subjects.

Q:   What documents are required for admission in the case of a GRE waiver?
A:

If the GRE is waived, you must submit academic transcripts, degree certificates, resume, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, admission essays, and English proficiency scores. With one component waived, competition may increase, so submitting a GRE score voluntarily can still strengthen your application.

Q:   What is the decent score required on the ACT test to get a good university in the USA?
A:

A score of 26 is a great start. Most good universities in United States generally look for student scores between 28 and 30. While the very best schools often expect a 33 or even higher. Always prepare well for it.

Q:   What are some useful tips for students starting their first semester in the University of Texas at San Antonio?
A:

University of Texas at San Antonio is one of the best universities in USA and students across the world desire to study here. Listed below are some helpful tips for students starting their first semester in UTAS:

  • Academic Routine: Build a practical routine for studies and make use of the academic resources offered by UTAS.
  • Connect with Faculty: Students must build a healthy relationship with professors and is helpful with studies as well as job opportunities.
  • Co-curricular Activities: Participate in events, clubs, trips, community organization, volunteering and more.
  • Gym & Fitness: Fitness freaks can make use of the equipment at UTAS in order to build a healthy routine for themselves.
  • Planning Finances: Since studying abroad is expensive, students must plan their budget and invest/spend their money mindfully while studying in UTAS.
Table of contents
  • GRE Waiver-Off Universities in the USA
  • List of GRE Waived Universities in USA for 2026
  • Alternatives to GRE to Get Admitted at US Universities
  • FAQs About Top Universities in USA Without GRE

GRE Waiver-Off Universities in the USA

The following US universities waive off GRE scores from international students for their upcoming Fall intakes:

Universities in USA Courses Without GRE
Concordia University Chicago It offers PG courses in Management, Information Technology, Health Science and Education.
Dayton University, Ohio

It offers various Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) courses.

The University of Utah It is one of the most reputed universities in the US. It offers courses in Health Science, Engineering, Creative Arts, and Education.
University of Kansas It offers various courses in Science, IT, Engineering, Creative Arts and Media
University of Nebraska, Lincoln It offers various popular courses in Business, Media, Science, Engineering, etc.
James Madison University Students can pursue various courses in fields like Business, Health Science, Social Studies & Media, Creative Arts and Education.
California Lutheran University The university does not require GRE scores for its Technology Program
George Mason University GRE scores are optional for MS courses in Humanities and Social Sciences.
Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma It does not require GRE scores for admission to its MS courses
State University of New York at New Paltz The University does not require GRE scores for Computer Science.

Check out the video below for a detailed analysis of master's in the USA without GRE scores:

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List of GRE Waived Universities in USA for 2026

Apart from the above-mentioned, more universities offer admission to MS courses without GRE scores.

US Universities that have Waived Off GRE

California State University, Sacramento

Rivier University

Farleigh Dickinson University (NJ)

University of Florida for Arts Education

University of Idaho

Boston University

Wichita State University

Monmouth University (NJ)

The Richard Stockton College of NJ

University of Northern Virginia, Manassas

Purdue University West Lafayette, Indiana

West Texas A&M University

Rowan University (NJ)

Montclair State University (NJ)

The University of Dayton

Virginia State University

Villanova University

California State University

University of Bridgeport

Stevens Institute of Technology

University of Cincinnati 

Northeastern University 

San Jose University

George Mason University

Oklahoma City University

University of Pittsburgh

Washington State University

GRE scores are optional for getting admission to MS courses offered by some universities. If you are planning to get into an MS course without a GRE, then you have to take into consideration other important factors that make your profile strong. You need to have a strong profile if you want to get into an MS course without GRE scores. Also, in various cases, having GRE scores specifically good GRE scores can help you get into a good university. Apart from this, with good GRE scores, you can also have the chance of getting GRE scholarships.

Alternatives to GRE to Get Admitted at US Universities

Apart from GRE to get admitted at US universities, there are some subject-specific admission tests also that may be an alternative to the GRE. Some of the US universities which require international applicants to submit an admission entrance exam apart from GRE are as follows:

  • LSAT for Law programs admissions like LLM and dual degree programs of Law at PG level.
  • GMAT for admission to various Management programs like MBA, MIM, MS in Finance, etc. 
  • MCAT can be a requirement for medical students in the USA.

Need more help? Get in touch with our team of expert counsellors for admissions/application-related details. Sign up for free here and request a callback - Shiksha Study Abroad Counselling.

FAQs About Top Universities in USA Without GRE

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About the Author
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Written by
Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Hi, I am Raj. I help Indian students figure out study abroad without the confusion. For 8+ years, mostly in Ed-Tech, I have written about the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. I cover what peo Read Full Bio
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Niha
All courses in US
A postgraduate in English Literature from Jamia Milla Islamia, Niha has been associated with the education industry as a student counsellor for the past eight years now. Her expertise in customer service, communicat Read Full Bio
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Comments

(1)

R

Rajeev Nair

4 years ago

Is MPS degree not considered equivalent to MS degree from a certificate recognition point of view ?

Reply to Rajeev Nair