MS in USA Without GRE: Universities in USA Without GRE for Masters in 2026

No, the GRE Exam is not mandatory for MS in the USA, but it is required by most of the top universities. Also, it is usually preferred as an addition add-on to make your profile stand out.

MS in the USA without a GRE is possible as many universities provide a conditional GRE waiver, i.e, the GRE requirement of the student is waived under certain circumstances.

These may include:

• High GPA, i.e. GPA of 3.0 or above.
• Additional Graduate degree.
• Professional Work Experience, especially relevant to the field.

One of the prominent examples of GRE waiver is the Illinois Institute of Technology which allows students with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 to apply for the professional master’s program without needing to send in their GRE scores.

Apart from universities in the US, leading universities of the world like Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore do not need GRE for admissions.

Suggested: Checkout the Admission requirements for MS in USA

One of the top universities in the USA without GRE that you should aim for is MIT, and let us tell you it provides various courses that just ask for a good GPA and an SOP that can stand out. 

Here is the list of universities in the USA without GRE for 2026:

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Purdue University
• Stevens Institute of Technology
• The University of Dayton
• California State University
• Wichita State University
• University of Bridgeport 
• Boston University
• University of Cincinnati
• University of North Texas
• Northeastern University
• San José State University (SJSU)
• Oklahoma City University
• George Mason University
• New Mexico State University
• California Baptist University
• State University of New York at New Paltz
• Saint Peter's University
• Virginia State University
• St. John’s University
• University of Pittsburgh
• Long Island University
• Jacksonville State University
• University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Concordia University Chicago
• Washington State University
• Florida International University
• Rivier University
• Villanova University
• University of Central Missouri

Let’s explore some of these universities in detail.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

One of the world’s top universities for computer science and engineering fields, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology does not require candidates to submit a GRE score to complete their application for certain programs. The fact that a prestigious university like MIT does not request GRE scores highlights that they are not as central to graduate admissions as one would expect, given the fuss surrounding it.

2. Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research university in West Lafayette, Indiana, which has consistently ranked among the top 20 graduate schools in the USA. This is one of the best universities that offersan  MS in the USA without the GRE.

3. Boston University

Boston University is a private university and research institution. The university offers graduate and undergraduate programs across several fields, including sciences, arts, medicine, business, humanities, education, and social studies. For students wanting to study a master's in the US without the GRE, you can look up the courses at this university.

4. Northeastern University

Northeastern University is a prominent private university in Boston that offers admission in the US without a GRE. Of the many courses offered by the University, courses in Business, Computer and Information Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Econometrics, and Quantitative Economics are the most recognized.

5. Stevens Institute of Technology

Stevens Institute of Technology is a private research university in New Jersey that admits graduate students to all its programs without a mandatory GRE score. The Stevens Institute of Technology has kept the exam optional for its admission process. Students can consider an MS in the USA without a GRE at this university.

6. University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati is a public research university, and it’s considered one of the best public universities in the US. The university has a diverse and beautiful campus. While some programs require students to provide GRE scores, some departments admit international students without GRE scores, given a GPA of 3.0 and above.

7. California State University

Located in the same state as Silicon Valley, California State University not only provides great opportunities but also does not need the GRE scores from applicants. It comprises seven academic colleges that offer around 58 graduation disciplines. Considering this, it is a very good option for MS in the US without a GRE.

8. The University of Dayton

If you wish to study a master’s in the USA without a GRE, you may want to consider the University of Dayton. This national research university in Ohio has made the GRE scores optional for all applicants. Ranked among the Top 100, this is one of the most prominent GRE universities in the United States.

9. Wichita State University

If you are seeking admission to the US without a GRE score, Wichita State University can also be considered a great option. It is highly ranked amongst US Universities for its Engineering programs. The University also boasts a diverse student body with students coming from over 100 countries.

10. University of Bridgeport

Another non-GRE university in the US is the University of Bridgeport. It is a private university that offers programs at all levels - certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. It has 3 colleges and 16 schools offering courses across all major streams.

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11. University of North Texas

Also known as North Texas State University, UNT is a public research university. It offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral, and Certificate programs. Some of its well-known schools are Business, Management, Marketing, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Visual and Performing Arts.

12. San Jose State University (SJSU)

SJSU is well-recognized for its research and technology-based programs. If you are looking for only IELTS-accepting universities in the US without the GRE for MS, this is definitely a good choice. While some programs like Master's in Computer Engineering and Master's in Biotechnology require students to take the GRE, a few of them accept students based on other factors, along with IELTS or TOEFL scores.

13. Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City University, or OCU, is a private university that offers undergraduate bachelor's, graduate master's, and doctoral degree programs. Some of the master 's-level programs at the university don't require international students to provide a GRE score.

14. George Mason University

This public research university is well known for its research programs, especially in the fields of economics and law. Apart from these, the most popular majors at George Mason University include Psychology, Information Technology, Biological Sciences, Management, and Quantitative Methods. The university has a diverse student body representing over 130 nationalities.

15. New Mexico State University

The NMSU is a notable public research university in the United States. It also happens to be amongst the oldest institutions of higher education in the country. The university offers master's in science, engineering, business, health, education, etc.

Many US universities offering MS without GRE rely on course-specific exams like GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT, along with academic performance, instead of a single test score. English proficiency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL remain mandatory for international students.

Below are the most commonly accepted alternatives of GRE for Master’s programs in the USA:

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)

Average Score Required: 550-700

The GMAT is mainly accepted for management, business, and other MBA programs in the USA. Universities use GMAT scores to look for analytical thinking, quantitative skills, and problem-solving ability wrt business and management studies.

LSAT (Law School Admission Test)

Average Score Required: 150-165

The LSAT is required for law-related graduate programs. It evaluates logical reasoning, reading comprehension, and critical thinking skills.

MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)

Average Score Required: 500-515

The MCAT is used for health-related programs and MBBS in the USA. It tests scientific knowledge, analytical skills, and problem-solving ability needed for medical education.

IELTS / TOEFL (English Language Proficiency Tests)

Average Score Required: IELTS: 6-7.5 and TOEFL iBT: 85-100

English language proficiency tests play a key role in admissions for many universities offering master's in the USA without GRE. These exams make sure that international students can handle academic coursework taught entirely in English.

To apply to universities in USA without GRE, the two most important factors are a strong academic profile and well-written application documents.

Here are the main steps to apply for a master’s in USA without GRE:

• Step 1: Shortlist universities offering GRE waivers: Filter out universities and specific MS programs where the GRE is optional or waived, as requirements often vary by department.
• Step 2: Check eligibility criteria carefully: Review GPA cut-offs, work experience requirements, and course-specific prerequisites set by universities in the USA without GRE.
• Step 3: Prepare a strong SOP: Mention academic background, projects, work experience, and career goals to compensate for the absence of GRE scores.
• Step 4: Arrange LORs: Get strong academic or professional recommendations that prove your skills and consistency for graduate studies.
• Step 5: Submit English language test scores: Most universities for a masters in USA without GRE require IELTS or TOEFL scores to confirm English proficiency for international students.
• Step 6: Apply before deadlines and track applications: Submit applications early and keep a check on university portals for updates or additional document requests.

Suggested: Low Tuition Fee Universities for MS in the US

Many students drop the idea of pursuing an MS in the USA simply because of the GRE. It's high cost, long preparation time, and uncertainty around scores. What most don’t realise is that several top universities in the USA without GRE now focus more on GPA, SOPs, and relevant experience than on a single test score. 

This is where Yocket Premium makes a real difference. From identifying the right universities in the USA without GRE to reviewing SOPs and building a strong profile, our experts guide you at every step.