Online Business Schools in the U.S.A. without GMAT Requirements
Have you ever considered getting admission to an online business school in the U.S.? But it is challenging due to the GMAT/GRE roadblocks. Don’t worry; you are not alone. The good news is that we are, here to help you find the best online business schools without GMAT requirements. These schools have waivered the GMAT requirement and opened doors to earning degrees while you work and keep your life balanced.
That means after an MBA or master’s in business administration, you can earn high salaries by maintaining your job in high-profile companies. The project-based median salary for graduated candidates is around $115,000, and the salaries vary from company to company.
This confirms that the lack of GMAT scores does not affect online education quality. It’s about acquiring the skills in the job market to become a qualitative asset. It leads to a more successful career ahead. So, don’t take the pressure of the GMAT. Resolve your problem by checking the following top 10 online business schools and choosing one that suits you.
What is GMAT, and Why is it Required?
Before you skim through and move on to the schools, here’s a lowdown on “what is GMAT” and why most business schools require it.
GMAT stands for Graduate Management Admission Test
Exam Time: 2 hours 15 minutes (10 minutes break)
Total Question: 64
Test Arrival Time: Before 15 minutes
Cost: $275 to $300
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is an entrance exam taken to get admission to on-campus and online business schools and MBAs in the USA. The official authorities of this test have been conducting it for more than 50 years. It is updated every year to target the new generation of skills aligned with the graduate management success program.
If you take GMAT exam you must go through three test sections: verbal, quantitative, and data insight. Each section takes around 45 minutes to complete. You use your critical thinking and analysis skills to get successful admission in business schools or, commonly, for MBAs.
However, most business schools use your GMAT online score with other records like academic exams, essays, professional work experience, and letters of recommendation. It is mainly required to check the candidate’s ability to handle all the tasks and coursework of a graduate business program, especially an MBA.
Most business administration schools also conduct this test to give scholarships to deserving candidates. A high-score candidate makes you a more competitive applicant for financial aid. And this test is accepted worldwide by over 2000 business schools for multiple graduate programs like MBAs or Masters in Management.
GMAT Scores for Top Business Schools in the U.S.A.
When candidates apply for the GMAT, they must think that it’s difficult and should try to pass the test successfully for the business program they are applying for. Your target score depends on where you are applying and your qualification criteria.
The GMAT score in the United States has increased in the last 5 years by 44 points, starting from 700 or above. You can keep yourself out of the merit list if you score poorly. So, research GMAT scores for your target school and make your study baseline in the top 10 percent of test takers. A good score on the GMAT must be 735 (100%) or above.
In addition, you will get your unofficial result right after your test before you leave, while for the official result, you have to wait at least 20 days, which you will receive via email.
GMAT or IELTS?
This is a level-up talk about GMAT or IELTS; which should we choose? So, if you are a non-native speaker and belong to a different country where English is not your mother tongue, you must pass a decent GMAT and IELTS score to get admission to an MBA program offered by a business school. These exams are accepted worldwide and play an important role in fulfilling the admission criteria.
The key difference between GMAT and IELTS is that GMAT is used for MBA-related programs, while IELTS is a language test accepted worldwide. So, if you are a native speaker or a US citizen, you don’t need to take the test. Last, we can say that both tests benefit entering your dream institution.
Online Business Schools without GMAT Requirements
1. NYU Stern Online MBA
NYU Stern School of Business Online MBA is a virtual program where you complete your coursework by taking live classes. It is a good program for professionals who don’t want to disturb their balanced lifestyle. To gain admission, you must have a 3.00 CGPA (cumulative grade point average) in your graduate program. If you use your round-up 3.00 CGPA, it will not work. In addition, the majors of the MBA program are accountancy, accounting, economics, finance, and business.
This school of business offers flexibility for working professionals and understands that their experience will be valuable for their success. This business university doesn’t require GMAT scores, focuses on experienced professionals, and prioritizes work experience over standardized tests. If you are interested in an NYU Stern program and want to build your profile before the Online MBA, consider a non-credited executive education program offered by Stern. These programs enhance your skills without requiring a GMAT.
2. Cornell University Executive MBA
Cornell University’s Executive MBA is a professional EMBA program where you can earn an Ivy League MBA without disrupting your career. You can take weekend-based classes (Saturday & Sunday) that permit you to work full-time while attending your classes. This program does not require GMAT for admission, and it’s a 17-month program with classes every weekend.
The program focuses on management fundamentals, strategic thinking, entrepreneurship, leadership, and more. It also includes an international travel component. However, they require exceptional candidates with more than 5 years of experience with strong academic records. The charm of studying at Stern is that it offers a variety of EMBA programs that are location-based including an Executive EMBA available in the whole of the U.S.A., one at the Metro New York campus, and an EMBA or MS in Healthcare Leadership.
For these programs, you can get into one of the top business schools without a GMAT degree
3. University Of Business Urban-Champaign, Illinois
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has a well-regarded business school called Gies College of Business. In their iMBA program, you will learn from the same faculty members, and everything is available to you online as you would on campus. This program requires a minimum of 3 years of work experience with a 3.0 GPA record.
The GMAT is not required, but you can submit it as a plus point if you already have it. You can also send the official GMAT score to the Illinois institution code – 1836. The credit hours will be different case by case, and a maximum of 12 credit hours will be provided for the transfer.
Business schools in the USA without GMAT, like the Univerity of Business Illinois, scholarships are also provided for the availing of high-quality education that is affordable for people. This scholarship is in partnership with Coursera, which will cover 70% of your tuition fee.
4. University of California, Los Angeles
UCLA’s Anderson School of Management is one of the top business schools that provides a competitive EMBA program that does not require GMAT, or at least lists it as optional. The program is designed for students who want to develop visionary and innovative business ideas but do not have the time to participate in on-campus classrooms.
The rich curriculum includes courses to develop a foundation in Inclusive Leadership, Ethical Decision-Making, Entrepreneurship, Management, etc. Students are exposed to industry leaders through seminars and events, to connect to a wide network of experienced cohorts who have the same ambitions and visions as theirs. Their alumni network is vast which allows students to find opportunities directly from peers who can guide them in their specific niches.
Although the program is designed for hybrid learning, it is a good option for experienced executives who want to progress in their mature career level with a sterling education.
5. Indiana University—Bloomington (Kelley)
Indiana University–Bloomington (Kelley) is one of the top universities among 345 in Best Online MBA Programs. You can enjoy your 50% coursework through customization of your program. You get a high-quality education working as a professional and earn a Kelley full-time and part-time MBA.
According to a source, 100% of students get employed when they are first enrolled. Kelley also provides recorded to all the candidates and archived online classes. The Indiana University–Bloomington (Kelley) is accredited by the AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). This is a prestigious accrediting body for business schools around the world. If you want to apply, the application closing date for the online MBA programs is June.
The credit hours for completing the program are 88, and students must complete all the hours to graduate. However, its duration is 24 months. These are the programs that are offered by the university such as accounting, consulting, e-commerce, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, and more.
6. Kansas State University
The University of Kansas offers an MBA for working professionals who want to pursue a high-quality, interactive, online degree at their own pace with the ability to do coursework and incorporate examples from their own professional experience.
The program is designed to give you the competitive edge to advance your career, including personalized attention and a professional development plan. Moreover, it includes workshops, seminars, micro-credentials, and a required faculty-led international travel experience besides the academic curriculum.
KSU offers only one program right now: MBA online program with a credit course of 15 without GMAT. However, it includes courses and concentrations that are high on demand such as accounting, economics, leadership, marketing, management information systems, finance, production/operations management, supply chain management/logistics, and general management.
7. Business Schools MBA without GMAT- D’Amore-Mckim School Of Business
The D’Amore-McKim School of Business offers opportunities for candidates who are not ready to take the GMAT because it’s difficult to pass with years of work experience. According to the FT, the school’s Online MBA is graded as the eighth best in the US.
Moreover, the course is also flexible, where students adapt the modules and earn while learning at their own pace. Enrollments are held in January, February, April, May, August, October, and November. In addition, its duration is 24 months or 2 years with 50 credit hours.
It includes the following concentrations: finance, healthcare management, marketing, supply chain management, high technology management, international management, sustainability, and innovation entrepreneurship.
8. University of Florida (Hough)
The University of Florida’s Hough Graduate School of Business has no strict GMAT requirement for its MBA programs. Those students who want admission to the school must submit their 3+ years of work experience with a strong upward mobility track record in a managerial or professional field. Your application must show your achievements and abilities, which is mandatory for admission to online business school without a GMAT.
In 2024, the average GPA for incoming students was 3.4, and the acceptance rate into the university’s online program was 30%. Additionally, the candidate requires two letters of recommendation. Students can be admitted and meet the application deadline of June 1.
The credit hours for the program are 32 to 48, and students must complete all the hours to graduate in the programs, that are included in the course such as business analytics, supply chain management, human resource management, and/or real estate management.
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The University of Southern California–Marshall Business School
Although the Marshall Business School doesn’t require a GRE or GMAT score it is a good option to make your application shine out from others. Moreover, the University will consider either of the two or an EA score when applying for an online MBA program. For international students, they need to submit TOEFL scores as well. Moreover, students need to submit a letter of recommendation.
If we check the admission score for 2024, the average graduate GPA for incoming students was 3.09, and the university’s online program acceptance rate was 57%. Marshall registered 279 students in its online MBA program. However, the application deadline is February for early decisions while June is for regular ones. The credit hours for the program are 51, and students must complete all the hours to graduate. Its duration is 21 months.
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North Carolina State University – Jenkins Professional Online MBA
The Jenkins Professional Online MBA at North Carolina State University is one of the most sought-after programs by professional business students that doesn’t require a GMAT or GRE score. It is an accelerated program with a 21-month duration extendable to 6 years and 40 credit hours for completion requirements.
The intake occurs twice a year–the fall and spring semesters. Professional candidates can apply for the hybrid mode classes conducted online as well as on-campus, thus making it a rich program to enroll in.
What makes the Jenkins Professional MBA program unique is its experiential learning mode that requires students to apply practical learning and reportage of the outcome. Some of the areas that the program emphasizes include Value Chain Management, Finance in the Markets, and Managing Organizations with the applications of quantitative and analytical skills.
Conclusion
When you decide and are ready to earn an Executive MBA at a business school online from a USA institution, these schools are the best to boost your career. They are some of the top-ranking online business schools that do not require a GMAT score; they only focus on your work experience and academic records. However, if you are needy and want to receive a scholarship, find a business school in the U.S. that is taking GMAT to get scholarships. So there is no need to fret about GMAT preparation if you are searching for a graduate business course online; just focus on finding your target school and building a strong academic and professional work profile.
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