5 Graduate Schools in the United States That Don't Require GRE

One of the most intimidating parts of getting into graduate school is the GRE. The GRE General Test has long been the standard of most universities for students applying for a master’s degree. However, schools may waive the test on some programs, especially when the exam’s subjects do not particularly serve those fields. 

For instance, science and humanities degrees often require GRE ratings, while social work, business, MFA programs, and online master’s programs do not. There are also programs where specific professional experience is more important than GRE scores. In other cases, universities prefer students to meet undergraduate GPA requirements instead. 

Nonetheless, there are several reputable universities with no GRE requirement. These institutions are ideal for working professionals who do not always have the time to review for the exam.

The following are five universities that meet important factors for graduate students. These are the number of no-GRE programs, student satisfaction, and cost.

1. Northcentral University

Northcentral University is among the best universities to consider if you want to pursue a non-GRE master’s program. Pledging to be a student-centric institution, NCU stands out as a graduate school because of its several programs available online. The school is dedicated to bringing higher education to working professionals, so they make sure students can take their courses on their own schedule. 

NCU was established in 1996 in San Diego, California, and has since offered degree programs across a variety of disciplines. Available degrees include psychology, health administration, education, and business, among others. Their degree program in Organizational Leadership can make a positive impact on many professionals, whether starting out or well into their careers. There are also accelerated courses, such as an MBA, that students can complete within a year. 

Besides flexibility in time, the university helps students with their financial commitments as well. Northcentral University grants the Brighter Future Scholarship to five deserving students every year. The scholarship covers three full tuition fees and two 20,000 USD scholarships. 

2. University of Wisconsin - Madison

When it comes to no-GRE engineering master’s degrees, the University of Wisconsin is the ideal graduate institution. The university offers many engineering programs online where students can learn from experienced professionals in those fields. They will only need to provide transcripts of their undergraduate degrees, instead of a GRE score. UW - Madison also has a number of programs aside from engineering that has no GRE requirement. 

The University of Wisconsin has several learning modes, so graduate students can select what best suits their schedule. They can choose to study face-to-face, online, on the evenings and weekends only, or through a hybrid set-up. Most engineering courses, however, are available in hybrid learning mode - a mix of online and on-campus classes. This gives graduate students hands-on training, an excellent way to learn practical skills necessary for careers in engineering. 

UW - Madison offers traineeships, assistantships, or fellowships, in addition to research grants, to assist students in academic funding. There is also the Research Travel Award that will fund any travel related to your study. Also, if you need additional financial assistance, be sure to look at this list of scholarships for international applicants. 

3. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati in Ohio is among the top-tier universities in the US and the world. It is the proud home of renowned personalities, such as astronaut Neil Armstrong, former president and chief justice William Howard Taft, and environmental scientist Eula Bingham. The university is also a pioneer of online master’s degree education - providing flexibility, in addition to excellence to busy graduate students. 

UC is most regarded for its programs in the fields of educational leadership and health administration. Accordingly, professionals can apply to the no-GRE Master of Health Administration (MHA) or Master of Educational Leadership (MEd) that requires only 40 and 30 credit units, respectively. Other no-GRE programs are in finance, legal studies, and instructional design, among others.

No-GRE master’s programs are usually online. Thus, they accrue fewer fees than regular or on-campus classes. Graduate students only need to pay a distance learning fee and a “non-resident” fee for those outside the state. High-quality yet affordable, UC courses are indeed valuable investments for your future.

4. Colorado State University Global

The Colorado State University Global claims to be the nation’s first public, not-for-profit, online state university. They offer career-driven programs that will prepare you to be a leader in your field. Likewise, you can also study for the sake of knowledge or a personal goal. Whatever your reason, CSU Global has several no-GRE master’s degree programs where you only need your undergraduate transcripts to be admitted. 

All of CSU Global’s programs are accredited by the proper institutions, and many have been awarded and top-ranked by established organizations. The M.S. in Criminal Justice, M.S. in Finance, and M.S. in Management programs are ranked first in their fields, while other high-placed programs include IT Management, Project Management, Data Analytics, and Teaching and Learning. 

As a not-for-profit university, CSU Global makes tuition fees as affordable as possible without compromising quality education. The school managed to sustain reasonable fees even though the global average grows every year. Through this assistance, more graduate students in the US and beyond can reach their career goals.

5. Saint Joseph’s University

Another institution with several no-GRE programs is Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. The school was established in 1851 and is one of the most trusted institutions in the state. But while a time-honored university, they are pioneers of modern teaching approaches as well. Their programs are among the top 10% of Best Online Graduate Business Programs, according to the U.S. News & World Report.

Saint Joseph’s is known for offering unconventional master’s degree programs. Students can choose programs in various disciplines, such as business intelligence and criminal justice. Many professionals also pursue the Food Marketing MS, Cybersecurity MS, Health Informatics MS, and Special Education MS, to name a few. These specific areas of education are relevant to their career paths, and Saint Joseph’s delivers only quality teaching. 

In Saint Joseph’s, graduate students pay per credit hour, which varies across programs. You can prepare between $812 and $2310. Furthermore, graduate students will find the university campus very conducive to learning, situated between the city and the suburbs.