Top Universities in USA Without GRE in 2025
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International students aiming to study in the USA for a Master's-level course have to either submit GMAT or GRE scores. However, there are some US universities which do not require GRE scores. A lot of US universities without GRE, offer applicants admission. Around 60% of the US universities have waived off the GRE as an integral admission requirement for applicants. Please note, that these universities may or may not be test-optional for GRE score acceptance.
GRE or Graduate Record Examinations is a standardized test required for getting into many graduate schools in the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. GRE scores are accepted by thousands of graduate schools worldwide for admission to MS courses. However, there are a lot of students who still don't want to take the GRE. You can also read about the top universities globally that don’t require a GRE.
Apart from MS courses, universities also give admission to students to pursue PhD courses without GRE. Few universities give admission to students to pursue some particular courses without GRE scores, however, they ask for GRE scores for some other courses that they offer. There is a myth that only low-ranked universities offer MS courses without GRE scores. One of the best universities MIT-Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers its popular Electrical Engineering and Computer Science courses without GRE scores.
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GRE Waived Off Universities in the USA
The following US universities waive off GRE scores from international students for their upcoming Fall intakes:
- 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: The University ranked 369 by QS's top universities for 2023. It offers various courses in Science, IT, Engineering, Creative Arts and Media.
- University of Nebraska, Lincoln: The University is ranked among the top 500 by the Times Higher Education (THE) for the year 2020. 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.
- Florida International University: It offers MS and PhD courses in Computer Science.
- University of Bridgeport, Connecticut: It offers a Master of Science in Computer Science.
- New Mexico State University: It offers a Master's in Computer Science.
- Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma: It does not require GRE scores for admission to its MS courses.
- George Mason University: GRE scores are optional for MS courses in Humanities and Social Sciences.
- University of Maryland, Baltimore: The University does not require GRE scores for Masters of Professional Studies.
- University of Alabama at Birmingham: The University does not require GRE scores for the Department of Computer Science.
- Saint Peters University: The university does not ask for GRE scores for Computer Science
- State University of New York at New Paltz: The University does not require GRE scores for Computer Science.
- Sacred Heart University: The University does not require GRE scores for its Technology Program.
- California Lutheran University: The university does not require GRE scores for its Technology Program.
- Pittsburg State University: The university does not require GRE scores for its Technology Program.
Studying in the USA Without a GRE
Check out the video below for a detailed analysis of master's in the USA without GRE scores:
List of GRE Waived Universities in USA for 2025
Apart from the above-mentioned, more universities offer admission to MS courses without GRE scores.
| US Universities that have Waived Off GRE | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rivier University |
||
| University of Florida for Arts Education |
||
| Monmouth University (NJ) |
The Richard Stockton College of NJ |
|
| University of Northern Virginia, Manassas |
Purdue University West Lafayette, Indiana | |
| Montclair State University (NJ) | The University of Dayton |
|
| California State University |
||
| University of Bridgeport |
Stevens Institute of Technology | University of Cincinnati |
| Northeastern University |
San Jose University |
|
| Oklahoma City University |
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 as well.
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 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.
Ensure, that all eligibility criteria are met and admission requirements are fulfilled irrespective of GRE or through acceptance of any of the above-mentioned exam scores before submitting applications.
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.
Universities Waiving Off GRE for Fall 2025 Intake FAQs
Q. What documents are required for admission in the case of a GRE waiver?
A. If you are applying to a university where the GRE score has been waived off, you are expected to provide other application documents that include your academic transcripts, degree certificates, resume, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, admission essays, English language test scores, etc. In such a scenario, it is expected that you will face stiff competition because one of the components of your application is being waived off. You cannot change your academic background in a short span of time; however, scoring well on the GRE is something that can be done with meticulous preparation. Hence, it is advised that students appear for GRE in order to improve their chances of selection.
Q. Can we do MS abroad without GRE?
A. You can pursue your MS even without the GRE score. Many US universities have decided to waive the GRE requirement. Even some of the top-ranked universities, such as MIT, decided to waive off GRE. Students can pursue MS in Computer Science, MS in Data Science, MS in Power Engineering, etc. from universities in the US. Some other Universities include the University of Pittsburgh, Oklahoma University, California State University, Florida International University, Missouri Western State University, Oklahoma University, etc.
Q. Can I justify a GRE waiver?
A. If a University has waived off the GRE requirement or if it has kept it as an option, you can justify it by providing strong and well-written documents that include a CV, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, admission essays, etc. Your admission documents must be able to highlight the skills that are tested on the GRE. However, it is recommended that you appear for the GRE exam in order to improve your profile. Scoring well on the GRE exam is something that is in your control. You cannot change your academic background and it takes time to complete certification and skill development courses. Hence, the easiest option for you to beat the completion is to score on the GRE.
Q. Is it true that only the low-ranked universities waive off GRE?
A. This is absolutely not true. Even the top-ranking Universities such as MIT, California State University Long Beach, the University of Texas at Austin, etc. have waived off the GRE requirement. Moreover, the entry standards for the universities have not been reduced despite a GRE waiver. Other admission documents such as academic transcripts, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, interview, etc. are being used by the universities to shortlist the candidates. In fact, the removal of the GRE has increased the competition as those with average academic backgrounds could have improved their profile if the GRE requirement was in place.
Q: Â What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
Q: Â Is MIT costly for Indians?
MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.
Q: Â What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Q: Â Is University of North Dakota good for Indian students?
The University of North Dakota is one of the top choices for international students to pursue their higher education. The UND warmly welcomes its international students as they have contributed a lot to the success of the university. Moreover, the university offers a top-notch environment, the best academic opportunities, technical & career training, etc. The university boasts over 1000 international students who represent more than 95 countries. Additionally, international students highly enjoy the facilities provided by the University of North Dakota. The UND is one of the largest research universities in the United States for international students.
Q: Â What is the maximum and minimum score in GRE to get admission for MS in USA?
GRE is a popular standardised test for getting admission in MS program in the world. However, there are many universities in the USA that offer admission to MS courses without GRE scores. There is fixed minimum or maximum GRE score for admission. However, even if your GRE score is below the average for a particular program, you may still be considered for admission if you have strong qualifications in other areas. It is adviseble to check university website for the exact information.
Q: Â What GPA do I need to get into the Adler University USA?
Fulfilling the required Grade Point Average is one of the major entry requirements at Adler University and international students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for both master's and PhD courses in order to boost their chances of getting admitted in the university.
Most of the students admitted for PhD courses at Adler University have a GPA of 3.25 or higher. Apart from GPA, candidates must submit all the other documents such as letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, proof of English language proficiency, and more.
Q: Â Which is better, UIC (University of Illinois Chicago) or NIU (Northern Illinois University)?
As per an unofficial source, the University of Illinois Chicago ranked at #80 among national universities which is better than the NIU ranking at #273 position. The UIC is also exceeding in terms of graduation rates and easier selection than NIU. However, the tuition cost is more affordable at Northern Illinois University as compared to UIC. Students can get more clarity from the comparison table given below:
Particulars | University of Illinois Chicago | Northern Illinois University |
|---|---|---|
US News National Rankings 2024 | #80 | #273 |
Acceptance Rate | 79% | 70% |
Graduation Rate | 40% | 33% |
Tuition Cost | UG: INR 22L-INR 49L PG: INR 13L-INR 37L | UG: INR 10L-INR 16.5L PG: INR 8L-INR 45L |
Student-faculty ratio | 17:1 | 14:1 |
Q: Â What is the decent score required on the ACT test to get a good university in the USA?
The definition of a good ACT score varies from university to country. However, to get into the top 100 universities, you must aim for a score higher than 31 on the ACT.
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Comments
(1)
R
4 years ago
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.