If you’re interested in earning your MBA, but don’t want to take the GMAT (who does?), then one of the many no-GMAT MBA programs now available may be for you.
The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a standardized, multiple-choice test that many business schools have used as a forecasting tool to measure if an MBA program candidate will be successful. But many of the top business schools are coming to grips with the fact that future success can’t always be measured by a multiple-choice test. There are multiple ways that applicants can show they are and can be successful.
The Nation’s Best No-GMAT MBA Programs
Some of the top colleges and universities in the nation offer MBA programs without a GRE or GMAT requirement. These programs highlight other indicators of success. Whether it be GPA, professional experience, essays, recommendation letters, or additional degrees, no-GMAT MBA programs bust down barriers of accessibility. They are able to highlight a holistic graduate admissions process. This rankings will show you 50 of the top MBA programs that have eliminated or automatically waived the GMAT/GRE/EA admissions requirement.
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Ranking Methodology
This ranking of the Best No-GMAT MBA programs is an excellent tool for prospective students beginning their search for the right program for their unique interests and needs. Because we believe no single ranking can capture all that is important about a school or a program, and all ranking systems have their built-in biases, we combined data from five of the most respected business school and MBA rankings. We believe this consensus approach gives students a broader, more accurate view of the best No-GMAT MBA programs available.
Once we had our list of the top consensus-ranked MBA programs, we filtered for programs that eliminated or automatically waived the GMAT/GRE/EA admissions requirement. All third-party ranking data was weighted equally, averaged, and converted to a score on a 100-point scale. This number became each program’s Consensus Score.
Data for our ranking was collected from:
Our ranking list was expanded this year. Many business schools were added as they became test-optional. You will find executive, full-time, and part-time MBA programs included in this list. There are No-GMAT MBA programs for everyone. Be sure to also check out our list of the Best No-GMAT Online MBA Programs if you’re interested in a more convenient option.
Summary of the Top 10 No-GMAT MBA Programs
| Rank | School | Accreditation | Length | Consensus Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Northwestern University – Kellog School of Management | AACSB | 24 mo | 100 |
| 2. | Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Sloan School of Management | AACSB | 20 mo | 97.0 |
| 3. | Cornell University – SC Johnson School of Business | AACSB | 22 mo | 94.2 |
| 4. | New York University – Leonard N. Stern School of Business | AACSB | 22 mo | 90.7 |
| 5. | University of California, Los Angeles – Anderson School of Management | AACSB | 22 mo | 87.87 |
| 6. | Emory University – Goizueta Business School | AACSB | 18 mo | 83.26 |
| 7. | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Kenan-Flagler Business School | AACSB | 24 mo | 81.64 |
| 8. | University of Washington – Michael G. Foster School of Business | AACSB | 24 mo | 81.31 |
| 9. | Georgetown University – McDonough School of Business | AACSB | 21 mo | 78.19 |
| 10. | Georgia Institute of Technology – Scheller College of Business | AACSB | 22 mo | 73.24 |
Here is a comprehensive list of the best No-GMAT MBA programs.
The top no-GMAT MBA can be found at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Kellogg’s Executive MBA Program is for leaders wanting to solve problems in today’s global business environment. This elite program is STEM designated and offers two different campus locations: Evanston, IL and Miami, FL. Students can also choose to pursue certificates in Product Management or Healthcare Leadership.
Applicants to this top EMBA program must submit a highly crafted resume or CV that gives the admissions committee a comprehensive view of their background and professional history. Students must also be prepared to complete application responses, write essays, and attend an interview. They will need to send transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a sponsorship letter from their organization. And while this application process is comprehensive, there are no required test scores for applicants with a bachelor’s degree.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 847-491-5279
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 2 years
If you are looking for a top MBA program without a GMAT requirement, check out the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. MIT’s Sloan School of Management is a prestigious AACSB-accredited business school with multiple programs to choose from. The Sloan School does offer a full-time, on-campus MBA program, but the GMAT-optional program is the Executive Master’s of Business Administration.
Sloan’s EMBA program consists of 20 months of coursework. The courses highlight advanced management practices for mid-career executives. Students in this program must have ten years of post-undergraduate professional experience, which ensures a rich academic experience. Applicants need not submit any GMAT test scores but can submit scores if they can enhance their application to the program.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 617-253-3400
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 20 months
The SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University features a renowned EMBA with no GMAT requirement. The 22-month Executive MBA is unique. It is based in New York City and students attend class every other weekend. This Ivy League business education stands out with its close-knit, diverse, collaborative cohort. Beyond the weekly curriculum, EMBA students also get to participate in a week-long global immersion.
Applicants to this exciting EMBA must have an accredited undergraduate degree and 12 years of progressive full-time work experience. Beyond the resume and transcript, applicants must also submit admissions essays, recommendation letters, and an application fee. GMAT, GRE, and EA scores are not required.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 607-255-5820
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 22 months
New York University features an MBA with no GMAT requirement at the Leonard N. Stern School of Business. Stern’s Executive MBA gives business leaders all the benefits of studying with the brightest minds in the business hub of NYC. The program is grounded in the idea that business can improve society. Students meet every other week and work on changing today’s business challenges into opportunities.
Applicants into this program will take the admissions process in two steps. The whole process includes applicant’s resumes, transcripts, essays, recommendation letters, and an interview. GMAT, GRE, and EA scores are optional for EMBA applicants.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 212-998-4500
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 22 months
UCLA’s Anderson School of Management gives students a great opportunity to enroll in a top MBA program without a GMAT requirement. The AACSB-accredited business school offers a Full-Time MBA, a Fully Employed MBA, an Executive MBA, and a Global Executive MBA program. While the Full-time and FEMBA programs offer applicants a test waiver option, the EMBA is GMAT/GRE/EA score optional.
The test-optional requirement of the EMBA program does not mean that the application process is watered down; it just means that the Anderson School is very intentional in the process. Applicants must have the following:
- A 3.0+ GPA from their bachelor’s degree,
- Eight years of work experience,
- Five years of management experience,
- Two recommendation letters,
- Two essays, and
- An interview.
UCLA does allow applicants to submit test scores if it could enhance their application.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 310-206-3411
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 22 months
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Check out Emory University’s Executive MBA degree if you want a top No-GMAT MBA program. While the prestigious Goizueta Business School does offer a full- and part-time MBA program, the EMBA program is test score optional.
The Goizueta EMBA can be taken in an online, hybrid, and on-campus format. This allows busy business leaders to enroll in this top program, no matter their schedule demands. This nationally ranked program is built for managers with a decade of experience. It offers a diverse experience with hands-on training and a collaborative setting. This 18-month, STEM-designated program is an excellent option for managers looking to develop their leadership.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 404-727-6036
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 18 months
UNC Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School offers a no-GMAT MBA degree for business leaders. Enrolled students in their Evening Executive MBA hone their skills and master new knowledge. They also create an impact as they change the world. The practical business knowledge and skills EMBA students acquire with this program make it one of the most effective graduate degrees one can pursue. EMBA students are equipped with the skills to add significant value to their employers and positively influence their organizations.
This no-GMAT EMBA allows applicants with more than five years of professional experience to be automatically exempt from submitting test scores. Kenan-Flagler Business School’s MBA is genuinely transformative.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 919-962-7772
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 24 months
An MBA with no GMAT requirement is available at Washington’s Michael G. Foster School of Business. Enrolled students take their careers to the next level with this MBA degree. The two-year Foster MBA experience in Seattle gives on-campus students the curriculum, career support, network, and faculty access to shape their future. The ROI of a Foster MBA goes beyond financial outcomes.
The UW Foster School of Business features comprehensive degree programs, each with a curriculum delivered by a nationally recognized expert in their field. Foster’s MBA spans every aspect of today’s business world. Future students can explore the flagship on-campus MBA program to learn how Foster’s education can boost their careers.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 206-685-2630
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 2 years
No-GMAT MBA programs intentionally break down one barrier that, for some, can be unnecessary and, for others, a barrier too tall to tackle. One such intentional admissions process can be found at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. While the full-time MBA program requires test score submission, the Executive MBA program is test score optional.
This Georgetown EMBA program consists of 21 months of global leadership experiences. The format includes weekend on-campus classes, some online classes, and five week-long residencies. For professionals with eight years of work experience, a bachelor’s degree, and advanced leadership potential, this could be the degree for you.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 202-687-5568
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 21 months
An MBA program with an optional GMAT is available at the Scheller College of Business at Georgia Tech. Graduates of the program are prepared to accelerate their careers in a digital-first, tech-savvy world. The business school boasts top-ranked career services.
On-campus students find their career paths within an ever-evolving landscape with the Jones MBA Career Center’s help. This program features a small student-to-advisor ratio. All students get personalized services tailored to their needs. The no-GMAT MBA allows students to gain real-world experience with start-ups and corporate innovators in the Tech Square ecosystem. MBA students learn to solve complex issues, gain analytical skills, and advance their careers.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 404-894-1610
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 22 months
Recommended Online MBA Programs
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For students looking for a wide range of test-optional MBA programs, research the Washington University in St. Louis MBA degrees. The Olin Business School offers a full-time, online, professional, and executive MBA degree. These programs provide a myriad of formats, timelines, and specialties. However, all of them are built on a foundation of excellence and collaboration.
The Olin full-time, online, and professional MBA programs state that test scores are recommended but not required. This does give each applicant an option to apply without a GMAT score. However, students must be able to show how they have been prepared for the academically rigorous MBA program with the rest of their application.
The Olin EMBA program has no test requirement listed. This means that Olin EMBA applicants are expected to have the experience and academic record that show their readiness.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 314-935-7301
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 20 months – 3 years
An MBA program with no GMAT requirement is available at the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School. This stellar MBA from Simon is about more than a credential. The degree is about a new level of clarity. Program designers are proud to offer the Full-Time MBA with an analytical focus and the opportunities students need. Business leaders enrolled in the program can reflect, refine, and take risks.
In addition to the Simon Full-Time MBA program, the part-time program is also offered without a GMAT requirement. Rochester offers MBA programs that fuse coursework, career-building opportunities, and co-curricular learning opportunities. The no-GMAT MBA programs are delivered in an intentionally diverse and small community at the University of Rochester.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 585-275-3533
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 2 years
An MBA degree without a GMAT requirement is offered at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business. Mendoza’s Global Executive MBA sits at the intersection of our interconnected business world and advanced organizational leadership. Students can expect a collaborative environment and professional growth. Students build an ethical foundation for strategic decision-making. There are countless opportunities to improve business understanding and develop a leadership style.
Applicants to the No-GMAT EMBA program are required to have a minimum of eight years of work experience shown on their resume. They must also send in transcripts, two recommendation letters, and personal essays. This is one of the top programs in the country.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 574-631-7706
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 22 months
The Naveen Jindal School of Management at UT Dallas stands among the top business schools in the nation. If you are looking for a high-quality no-GMAT MBA, the UT Dallas EMBA program could be a great fit. The EMBA degree is 53 credit hours of executive leadership training. It covers important topics like emerging technology and global sustainability.
While the Naveen Jindal School of Management offers multiple MBA programs, the full-time and part-time programs require the GMAT or GRE or allow applicants to request a waiver. The EMBA program, however, does not require test scores. EMBA applicants must show professional experience of at least eight years, a diverse background, and leadership potential.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 972-883-2270
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 21 months
Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Business offers students a top No-GMAT MBA option. The Marriott School of Business is an AACSB-accredited business school known for ethics, leadership, and impact. It offers multiple master’s programs, including traditional and Executive MBA. While the traditional MBA requires either the GMAT, GRE, or a test waiver request, the EMBA does not require test scores.
The Marriott EMBA program consists of 54 credit hours educating leaders in mind, body, and spirit. This two-year program takes applications on a rolling basis. Students must be prepared to submit:
- Transcripts of a four-year undergraduate degree,
- A resume showing 5+ years of work experience,
- An essay,
- Two recommendation letters, and
- Commitment to the BYU honor code.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 801-422-4091
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 2 years
The Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, College Park, currently features multiple MBA degrees with no GMAT requirement. The University of Maryland MBA leaders nurture future leaders. MBA students wanting to grow where they are, change industries, or launch their start-ups will thrive at the Smith School of Business.
A unique and transformational experience awaits graduate students in Maryland, College Park’s internationally recognized, top-ranked Full-time MBA program. For those looking for a different format or an advanced leadership program, Smith also offers a part-time MBA and an Executive MBA. The no-GMAT MBA programs’ amazing faculty, comprehensive career services, and vibrant community prepare students for a successful future.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 301-405-3644
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 16 months – 2 years
One of the nation’s best no-GMAT MBA programs is offered at the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. The Executive MBA program at Texas A&M provides students with an experiential education and executive learning. Graduates emerge from this EMBA transformed personally and professionally. Mays Business students are ready to assume a leadership role confidently in all areas of life.
Admissions reps holistically review all applications for the EMBA. No one part of the application is more essential than the other parts. A completed application packet includes a resume, essay questions, transcripts, and professional references. Applicants must also show 10 years of professional experience, with seven including managerial duties.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 979-845-3631
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 21 months
The Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State provides an excellent EMBA program with no required GMAT. Broad’s program gives business professionals the tools they need to build and lead the businesses of tomorrow. Michigan State’s rigorous yet flexible curriculum encourages team collaboration. Students learn global adeptness and creative decision-making.
EMBA students get dynamic courses to gain a competitive edge and excel in their careers. World-class instructors challenge students to develop creative solutions to today’s realities in a team-focused learning environment. Applicants must be able to show at least five years of progressive work experience on their resume. They must also submit transcripts, a complete application, two essays, and complete an interview.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 517-353-3220
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 20 months
The Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota provides an excellent MBA degree without a GMAT requirement. Enrolled students become the leaders they were meant to be with the Carlson School’s Executive MBA. The business school’s executive program features a unique hands-on global learning experience and a focus on strategic management.
EMBA students are able to enhance their problem-solving and decision-making skills. The curriculum focuses on global business practices, leadership, and strategy. To apply for this excellent degree, students must supply a complete application, transcripts, resume, references, essays, and an interview. While test scores are not necessary, they can be submitted to boost an application.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 612-625-3014
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 20 months
If you are looking for a top MBA with no GMAT requirement, the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business has two great options. Meeting the needs of professionals wanting a program with a flexible schedule, UF offers a Weekend Professional MBA and an Executive MBA. Both programs offer the same dedicated faculty and staff as the full-time MBA, and neither requires the GMAT.
Graduate students shouldn’t make compromises when selecting an on-campus MBA program. UF understands that professionals need support and opportunities to enhance their skills and take their careers to the next level. These two no-GMAT MBAs fill that need.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 352-392-1365
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 16 – 24 months
Recommended Online MBA Programs
Explore our featured online programs to find the right match for you today.
The Raymond A. Mason School of Business at William & Mary provides some of the nation’s best no-GMAT MBA programs. William & Mary’s Full-Time MBA is an immersive two-year residential experience. Enrolled students progress in lockstep with a cohort. Working within a five-person learning team, on-campus students learn to experience the art of collaboration and develop collective creative-thinking skills that prove invaluable when entering the business world. This program boasts the innovative “Tomorrow’s MBA” curriculum.
William & Mary also offers part-time and executive MBA programs. They have seen that test scores are not always the best way to predict which students will be successful in MBA programs, especially those with multi-dimensional backgrounds.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 757-221-2953
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 18 months – 2.5 years
The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Wisconsin School of Business features an excellent MBA program with a no-GMAT option. Team projects and leadership training abound to provide confident, day-one readiness for learners. Enrolled students experience high-level consulting projects. They prepare for success in mid-degree internships.
Program leaders help on-campus students shine in interviews and advance after they get hired. The core business curriculum, classes, and applied learning focus on chosen specializations. This program’s one-to-one career preparation is a game-changer. MBA students are matched with employers where they grow. The GMAT is optional for candidates with an accredited US undergraduate degree and two years of professional experience. This MBA is worth its weight in gold.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 608-262-2433
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 2 years
Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business features multiple MBA programs with no GMAT requirement. Cox houses four different on-campus MBA programs:
- Two-Year MBA.
- One-Year MBA.
- Professional MBA.
- Executive MBA.
While students do need to submit transcripts, essays, resumes, and recommendation letters, Cox is a test-optional business school.
Enrolled students learn in small classes from respected instructors with open doors. On-campus learners connect with MBA students worldwide. Dynamic business leaders from Dallas’s Fortune 500 companies influence the program. The no-GMAT MBA degrees are for you if you want to gain the skills and global alums connections needed to take your career to the next level.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 800-472-3622
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 12-24 months
The University of California, Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business features an excellent EMBA with no GMAT requirement. This Executive MBA is perfect for highly motivated management-level professionals on an advanced career path. The ideal candidate has at least eight years of professional work experience, with four years in a management role. The program curriculum is focused on business foundations, executive leadership, and experiential learning.
Candidates with a bachelor’s degree who demonstrate excellent academic and career potential will appreciate the business school’s attention to detail. Students with solid leadership will thrive in this diverse academic and professional community. They will enhance their leadership skills and ability to handle opportunities in today’s global environment.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 949-824-4611
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 21 months
Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business offers an Executive MBA without a GMAT requirement. Enrolled students unlock their leadership potential while discovering tools that help steer organizations — and careers. ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business integrates resources across a connected MBA curriculum and experience.
The two-year business leadership program welcomes future leaders worldwide. This advanced education is customized by built-in executive coaching, career management, and two class trips. On-campus students transform into connected leaders who see the big picture and embrace change. Apply for this program if you are ready to grow and become market-ready for life through an innovative curriculum.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 480-965-6113
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 21 months
Ready to start your journey?
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The University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business is known for its excellence in business education. It offers multiple MBA degree programs and has a test-optional admissions process. This allows students to expedite their applications. However, students can choose to submit test scores to boost their chances of admission.
Katz offers an Accelerated and Signature MBA program. These Pittsburgh-based programs allow students to earn an MBA in 12 to 18 months. Students gain a broad skill set in management, entrepreneurship, communications, and other highly marketable areas. These no-GMAT MBA programs help graduate students develop leadership skills that lead to meaningful, positive opportunities.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 412-624-PITT
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 12 – 18 months
The Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University stands as test-optional for their MBA programs and specialized master’s programs. It provides a top-ranked full-time MBA degree program with a streamlined admissions process. This flagship two-year program features lessons in management and leadership and is STEM-designated. The Gabelli School of Business selectively enrolls approximately 60 MBA students each year.
The Full-Time MBA students at Gabelli have access to excellent instructors and a vibrant business curriculum. Students will find individualized attention and extraordinary network development in New York City. This no-GMAT MBA is a proper New York City program that features unique advantages.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 212-636-6200
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 22 – 24 months
Texas Christian University’s Neeley School of Business offers two excellent MBA programs with a GMAT optional admissions process: the Professional MBA In-person and the Energy MBA. These MBA programs give students the connections and standout skills that make TCU Neeley famous. Program leaders give students hands-on experience solving real business issues. Enrolled students are exposed to countless leaders from large organizations nationwide and worldwide.
The Professional MBA gives working students campus-based classes in the evenings. This program is designed to boost salary potential and upward mobility. The Energy MBA is a unique program in an evening-only format. Students will learn foundation business principles specifically focused on the energy sector.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 817-257-7531
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 21 – 33 months
The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University features one of the nation’s best EMBA programs with no GMAT requirement. Program leaders are grounded in the principle that outstanding leadership can be learned and taught. This world-class, five-semester EMBA is perfect for distinguished working professionals. It is delivered by renowned instructors who have pioneered leadership principles.
Weatherhead’s EMBA features sixteen total three-day visits to campus. The program is designed to be manageable for active executives. Enrolled students from around the world can participate in the one-of-a-kind leadership program. This no-GMAT EMBA is one of the best you can choose.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 216-368-4390
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 2 years
The Zicklin School of Business at CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College offers multiple MBA degrees with GMAT options. Zicklin’s Full-Time MBA is rigorous. It’s a cohort-based degree. Classmates progress together through an identical core curriculum. The format encourages collaboration and peer learning.
The GMAT/GRE is automatically waived for MBA applicants who meet the full-time and part-time program criteria. Applicants with a four-year bachelor’s degree or graduate degree with a final cumulative GPA of 3.30 take advantage of the waiver. Zicklin also offers an EMBA program that is test-optional. Baruch College provides top business programs for tomorrow’s leaders.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 646-312-1300
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 20 months – 3 years
George Washington University’s School of Business provides two excellent no-GMAT MBA programs. The business school’s advanced business curriculum allows Global MBA students to customize their studies to their professional goals. GWU’s Global MBA program is 53 credit hours long and focused on viewing business with a broad perspective. This program features no GMAT requirement.
GWU also offers an accelerated MBA degree program that doesn’t require the GMAT during admissions. This MBA program is designed for working professionals on a two-year schedule. These MBA degrees are world-renowned and excel in teaching business leaders how to solve business programs for the betterment of their organizations and our society.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 202-994-1212
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 21 months – 5 years
The University of California, Davis Graduate School of Management offers an excellent Part-Time MBA with a test-optional admissions requirement. Graduate students build their leadership capacity through the innovative and flexible Bay Area or Sacramento programs. This advanced business curriculum is modeled on approaches used by international companies for their executives.
Enrolled students collaborate with classmates, executives, faculty, and alums worldwide. They deepen their expertise in multiple facets of business, including technology management, entrepreneurship, and analytics. The part-time MBA program includes a global experience through an international study trip, student exchange programs, and internships. This MBA degree will propel a career forward.
Admissions Email: [email protected].
Admissions Phone: 530-752-0650
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 2 – 3 years
Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business offers two of the nation’s best on-campus MBA programs with an optional GMAT requirement. The streamlined admissions process allows students to enter into and then graduate from a life-changing MBA program at an accelerated pace.
Full-time MBA students begin with foundational business courses during the summer on Baylor’s main campus in Waco, TX. New cohorts are ready to embark upon the rigorous core curriculum when the fall term begins. Elective courses enable students to understand better business functions to support career aspirations. Baylor also offers an Executive-MBA Dallas. This executive program provides practical and personalized face-to-face learning.
Both programs allow graduate students to leave prepared to maximize their leadership potential in an evolving marketplace. Baylor’s Full-Time MBA and EMBA Dallas features no GMAT but tons of potential.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 254-710-3588
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 17 – 21 months
The University of Houston’s C.T. Bauer College of Business has a top Executive MBA degree program without a GMAT requirement. Executive MBA students learn business leadership principles, change management and innovation skills, and global management strategies. The program features structured experiential learning opportunities. Program leaders speak into core areas of business across many industries.
Bauer offers a unique, customizable executive curriculum. Students have access to ten different leadership tracks. They can hone their skills in a business area to help set themselves apart from the competition. This EMBA degree at the U of H has much going for it.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 713-743-5284
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 22 months
Babson’s F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business features an MBA degree with no GMAT requirement. Business leaders wanting to start a new venture will love this degree. Students interested in switching careers or advancing in their current organization will benefit. The one- or two-year MBA will help graduate students reach their goals.
Both options will arm them with a ranked MBA in entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial leadership skills help students make an impact in business, their community, and worldwide. Nearly 90 partner organizations bring their real-world issues to class each year. This gives students consulting opportunities. Enrolled MBA students also meet with business leaders and workshop their start-ups in the classroom. This no-GMAT MBA program offers a lot to today’s graduate students.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 800-488-4512
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 12 – 21 months
The Smeal College of Business at Penn State features an MBA with no required GMAT. This STEM-designated program is perfect for a range of students, from recent grads with limited experience to seasoned professionals. With Smeal as your business partner, you can sharpen your business acumen while earning your MBA credential, preparing you for career advancement.
All courses are delivered within a nine-month format at Penn State’s University Park campus. Instructors are experienced, world-class faculty. The STEM-designated degree equips graduate students with the knowledge and skills needed for tomorrow’s business world. Applicants save time and money with no GMAT requirement. This is one of the nation’s best MBA degrees.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 814-863-0474
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 9 months
The Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona offers an excellent no-GMAT MBA. This advanced degree is perfect for students looking to develop their leadership skills while deepening their business understanding. Eller’s Professional MBA balances in-person skill workshops centering on leadership and personal development with online MBA courses. Enrolled students grow their skills while developing a network in a lively and supportive environment.
MBA students enhance their understanding of business while perfecting communication skills and leadership styles. Concentrations include MIS, Entrepreneurship, Management, and Marketing. Graduates of this no-GMAT MBA walk away with the insights, skills, and connections to stride to the top of their career trajectory. Students can also find a no-GMAT option in the Evening MBA.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 520-621-3471
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 21 – 24 months
An exemplary no-GMAT MBA program is featured at Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business. This MBA program is the perfect fit for an ever-changing business world. Organizations need trained leaders with broad business skills and an entrepreneurial spirit in today’s unpredictable business landscape.
Business leaders who can act quickly and identify opportunities for firms to transform their digital business are in high demand. In just two years, enrolled students gain a mixture of core business skills and specialized expertise. They are prepared for the future of work in a world continuously influenced by digital transformation. This no-GMAT MBA from Northeastern is a great value.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 617-373-5992
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 2 years
The School of Management at the University at Buffalo features one of the nation’s best MBA programs with no GMAT requirement. The School of Management uses a test-optional admissions process for its MBA for the current admissions cycle. Incoming students have the option to submit GRE or GMAT scores in support of their application. However, applicants are not required to do so.
Enrolled students maximize their experience and marketability with foundational core courses. The business school’s career-targeted concentrations and action learning opportunities combine for an excellent academic experience. Define your goals and customize an educational program to achieve them by choosing from a comprehensive offering of concentrations. This on-campus MBA is an asset to any professional’s resume.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 716-645-2939
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 2 years
The University of Colorado Boulder has an MBA degree program with no GMAT requirement from the Leeds School of Business. Students lacking a GMAT will enjoy that test scores are optional for the Evening, Hybrid, and Executive MBA degrees.
The Evening MBA is an in-person MBA experience with classes two nights a week. It is a perfect program for working professionals. Enrolled MBA students benefit from built-in support and resources that help them succeed. Services available to Leeds graduate students include academic advising, mentoring, activities, networking, a peer cohort, clubs, and career coaching. This no-GMAT MBA program is a sound investment.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 303-492-8220
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 2 years
The Carl H. Lindner College of Business at the University of Cincinnati offers an excellent MBA with an optional GMAT. This program is small, immersive, personalized, and customized. The on-campus MBA program can be customized to uniquely fit each student’s needs.
Lindner’s MBA program helps graduate students build skills and develop talents to open the right doors for them. It consists of 48 credit hours and offers students over 20 graduate certificates to choose from. Enrolled students can enrich their MBA experience by participating in immersive study abroad experiences. This activity is required for full-time cohort students.
The GRE and GMAT are optional. Admissions experts will consider submitted scores in the application process.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 513-556-4335
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 1 – 2 years
The College of Charleston’s School of Business delivers one of the nation’s best MBA programs with an optional GMAT admissions requirement. The Charleston MBA provides excellent investment value to its students. This one-year, accelerated program condenses a traditional two-year curriculum into twelve rigorous months. Enrolled students save a year of tuition and fees while re-entering the workforce quickly and graduate with business knowledge.
While many MBA programs are raising tuition prices, the Charleston MBA stands out as an attractively priced program. Compared to its competitors, it is one of the best values in business education. This well-rounded, no-GMAT MBA will shine on your resume.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 843-953-5614
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 1 year
Pepperdine University’s Graziadio Business School features a no-GMAT EMBA. Pepperdine’s Executive Master of Business Administration is a 19-month program. It is designed to develop executives and high-level managers into visionary leaders equipped to overcome complex business challenges. Enrolled students learn to make informed, data-based decisions while accelerating organizations to new heights.
Through intimate peer cohorts, MBA students at Graziadio gain exclusive access to a dynamic learning community of seasoned executives. The business school’s world-class, industry-experienced instructors are accomplished academics, researchers, and authorities. A rigorous curriculum and dedicated executive mentorship create a stellar no-GMAT EMBA.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 310-568-5535
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 19 months
The University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business features multiple top-notch on-campus MBA degrees without GMAT requirements. The Daniels College of Business now stands as a test-optional institution. The college might be GMAT optional, but it still upholds its high business education standards. All MBA students get an outstanding business leadership education.
The business school’s intensive, full-time, 21-month program is rooted in challenge-driven education. They integrate classes and immersive business challenges. Students can also choose to pursue the part-time and Executive MBA programs. These two programs allow students to enroll in a top MBA program while continuing to work full-time.
Graduates of the MBA programs can create start-up companies, incubate social-good projects, and solve business issues for domestic and international corporate partners. Denver’s no-GMAT MBAs have a lot going for it.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 303-871-3416
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 18 – 21 21 months
The Hult International Business School provides a top no-GMAT MBA degree program. Hult’s MBA program develops the skills most in-demand with employers nationwide. MBA students graduate with the relevant knowledge, practical skills, and effective mindsets to transform their lives and careers. This no-GMAT program is perfect for those ready to immerse themselves in the global campus experience.
Students seeking a full-time or part-time degree will enjoy this MBA program. The curriculum develops the skills most in demand with employers worldwide so business leaders can make an impact from their first day on the job. This program includes excellent content and doesn’t feature a GMAT requirement.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 617-746-1990
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 1 – 2 years
A top no-GMAT MBA program is delivered at North Carolina State University’s Poole College of Management. Business school leaders prepare students to lead at the forefront of today’s growing marketplace. MBA students benefit from small class sizes, flexible course formats, and award-winning program curricula. Students can also expect to maintain active partnerships with more than 200 corporations.
MBA graduates complete the program ready to tackle business challenges utilizing the latest innovation and technology. Students can complete this AACSB-accredited MBA program at Poole’s downtown Raleigh campus. The program takes less than two years. Program leaders successfully nurture student interests and help them reach their career goals.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 919-515-2872
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 21 months
The University of San Diego School of Business provides a top no-GMAT MBA degree. This program boasts intimate class sizes and a small cohort format for core classes. Enrolled students build lifelong professional and personal relationships with instructors and classmates. They can tailor the curriculum by choosing their program length, area of specialization, and international options.
By completing the MBA coursework, graduate students will acquire the foundational and advanced skills organizations look for in MBA-level hires. The University of San Diego’s Knauss MBA helps their students become change agents and inspiring business leaders.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 619-260-4524
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 17 – 22 months
The Rady School of Management at UC San Diego provides an excellent MBA with no GMAT requirement. Rady MBA students learn why business is a science. They see how data transforms and brings clarity to strategy, operations, and management. The curriculum also delves into finance, marketing, and innovation.
This program prepares business leaders to lead with confidence. They develop the in-demand analytical and leadership skills employers require. The University of California San Diego’s Full-Time MBA is perfect for students with three to five years of work experience. Students can also pursue the Flex MBA and EMBA without a GMAT requirement. These MBA programs offer excellent opportunities for business students.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 858-534-3554
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 21 – 30 months
The Saunders College of Business at the Rochester Institute of Technology offers a no-GMAT MBA degree. The Executive MBA program is perfect for mid-to-upper-level professionals ready to hone their strategic leadership and business skills. This curriculum enhances MBA students’ performance as they assume responsibilities and position themselves for future opportunities.
Program leaders know executive MBA students need more than simply transferring business and management concepts. Enrolled students get a high level of engagement with instructors and peers. MBA students discuss, argue, and collaborate with seasoned managers on strategic and topical issues and projects. This solid EMBA program has direct and immediate applicability to professional development. Saunders trains tomorrow’s business leaders.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 585-475-2229
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 15 months
One of the nation’s best no-GMAT MBA programs is featured at the Charles H. Lundquist College of Business at the University of Oregon. This on-campus program is perfect for accomplished mid-to-senior managers, entrepreneurs, executives, and business leaders with demanding schedules. Oregon’s Executive MBA is a transformational experience that equips professionals with confidence and skill.
Enrolled students grow as successful leaders in today’s complicated, global business world. Through projects, presentations, and academic knowledge application, the Oregon Executive MBA shines. Skills and confidence are built into the curriculum. MBA students can take their careers to the next level without taking the GMAT.
Admissions Email: [email protected]
Admissions Phone: 541-346-5129
AACSB Accredited: YES
Program Length: 20 months
Some potential MBA students find standardized test anxiety debilitating. Some future MBA students are worried about their GMAT scores. And some B-school candidates simply do not have the time and money for GMAT preparation. What if you could skip the business school placement test altogether? Luckily, you can.
Is the GMAT Even Necessary?
Many MBA applicants spend a lot of time worrying about the troubling nature of admissions tests. This can be for a good reason. The GMAT is a substantial test. For many, it takes an annoying amount of time to prepare if test takers want to do well. For those with the time to prepare, the benefits are immense.
A 700-or-better GMAT score will warrant at least some attention from the most competitive business schools in the world. Test-takers who fall in the camp of average to below-average GMAT results may discover they get zero engagement from top schools. They may also risk gaining acceptance into any MBA program. These applicants often spend as much time trying to scheme a way around the GRE or GMAT as they do investing in how to master it.
Pros & Cons of Taking the GMAT
Pros
Cons
Should I take the GMAT, GRE, or Neither?
In recent years, some students have found the GRE to be an alternate option. The GRE seems more manageable for some business school candidates. Programs are not required to include GRE scores when they reveal their average admissions test scores. GMAT scores are exclusively required for that. When business schools don’t have to worry about averaging test scores into the mix, they are often more lenient on how well you do. Some applicants bomb both tests.
Why Struggling with Standardized Tests then Being Denied into Business School is Unfair
There are reports on the correlation between GMAT scores and academic performance. Some MBA programs have downgraded the importance of grades in b-school. Many schools have abandoned traditional grades altogether. Grades can create a hyper-competitive environment that works counter-intuitive to the collaborative nature of group participation and teamwork. These elements are common to MBA programs worldwide.
So why does a one-time, three-hour, mind-bending placement test like the GMAT even exist? There are plenty of sub-average GMAT scorers in the business world. These professionals possess an excellent work ethic and would make solid contributors to any MBA program at the top business schools in the nation if given the opportunity.
Just Say NO to the GMAT
The idea of putting the GMAT in your rearview mirror is not as far-fetched as you may think. Some of the nation’s best business schools admit a small number of students annually who submit no GMAT or GRE score.
One percent of all MBA students are granted a standardized test waiver. They are evaluated on their undergrad performance, recommendations, and work experience alone. How did they pull it off? They requested it.
Forgoing the GMAT Can be Tricky, But it is Possible
Many factors potentially come into play. Some business school candidates have unique, personal situations which prohibit them from sitting for the test. Those situations could be good enough reasons to get a program to give them a pass. Reasons for this may include health conditions or injuries. There may be traumatic issues, like debilitating car accidents or cancer, which could prohibit applicants from taking the exam. Some MBA candidates have tried leveraging family trauma for test waivers. Although a waiver is not commonly permitted when there are mental or psychological hurdles.
Military deployments can serve as GMAT waivers. Other service-oriented obligations can make it impossible to take the placement test.
There is Being Unable to Take the Test, and Then There is What You Bring to the Table
Whether through extraordinary career achievements or personal accomplishments, B-school applicants with compelling profiles might argue that the GMAT would only hold them back from an otherwise stellar application. The odds are far better if applying to an evening or part-time MBA program. Waivers for full-time program participants are rare but not impossible.
A hyperbolic example of this is if, say, Jeff Bezos wanted to get his Harvard MBA. Admissions representatives may consider a GMAT waiver. If you are an underachieving test taker but have an impressive story otherwise, it never hurts to ask.
When Downplaying the GMAT, What Should You Stress?
How to Make Your Business School Application Shine:
- Write a Compelling MBA Essay.
- Clearly Communicate Your Post-MBA Goals.
- Stay Consistent Through Your Business School Application.
- Show Off Your Pre-MBA Work Experience.
The most genuine way to highlight yourself when applying to business school is to represent your authentic self. Do not attempt to present or edit yourself in a manner you think the school wants to see. Present who you are and who you want to become.
What differentiates you from other candidates? Finding the answer to this question requires several things:
- Reflecting on the various aspects of your life.
- Realizing what you have accomplished.
- Dreaming about what you want to achieve.
Here are some general tips on how you can present yourself within business school applications:
Write a Compelling MBA Essay
Keep the admission representative’s perspective in mind as you write essays and move forward with applications.
- What kind of application do you think they want to read?
- Would they prefer an essay that is specific or generic?
- Would they prefer essays that are ambitious, honest, and thought-provoking?
Telling a story with your application will appeal to the admissions committee. Using anecdotes as evidence for your claims will help your essays come to life. They may also make a more significant impact than merely listing your achievements. Focus on developing one or two examples within your responses to keep information fresh and relevant.
Be vulnerable and self-reflective as you represent yourself in your essays. Highlight how significant experiences altered your perspective and revealed something about life you didn’t know before. Admissions teams prefer when applicants communicate that they are self-aware. They find it reassuring to know candidates have made moves toward personal and professional growth.
Clearly Communicate Your Post-MBA Goals
Business schools are interested in accepting driven, ambitious, and motivated MBA candidates. Use your essays to show how an MBA program will be a suitable stepping stone to help you achieve your business leadership goals. You can outline these in your MBA interview.
Using detailed and school-specific examples to support your writing is an excellent idea. For example, Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business is well known for its reputation in marketing. If you are interested in pursuing a career in business, you can research the curriculum and discuss how it will train and equip you with the skills needed to succeed in the area.
Stay Consistent Through Your Business School Application
You will discover there are different sections to your application. It’s essential to think of them as connected entities. Each portion you submit for review ultimately fits together to tell a story about you. This narrative reveals who you are to members of the admission committee. Remembering this when you apply to an MBA program will help you avoid inconsistencies in your application.
A business school resume and letters of recommendation should reveal the skills you possess and illustrate what you have done. Your essay should serve as the on-ramp for your interview, explain who you are, and spell out what makes you unique.
Show Off Your Pre-MBA Work Experience
Business schools look at candidates’ work experience to determine their professional maturity and their work quality. Applicants should use resumes to explain how their work experience makes them ideal MBA candidates. The best MBA applicants are top performers who have risen through the ranks quickly. They should provide concrete examples of their impact was felt in an organization.
MBA programs don’t typically require specific years of substantial work experience. Some excellent MBA candidates have only one to two years of experience. Applicants can check their preferred b-school’s class profile to see how many years of work experience accepted students acquired.
Most Kellogg School of Management full-time MBA admits have five years of work experience. Similarly, London Business School’s students have five, Stanford GSB students have 4.7, and Booth School of Business students have five.
Employment Gaps
MBA candidates with significant employment gaps should explain their circumstances, what they learned, and how they have grown from their experiences. Business schools often provide optional essays to allow candidates to explain these scenarios.
When the GMAT isn’t Required But it is Permissible
The world of MBA admissions is ever-evolving. Business schools are reaching out to candidates like never before. As you explore B-school options, remember that schools offer a unique path to pursuing your MBA program. Whether you are demonstrating your analytical prowess, showcasing years of leadership, or proving your scholastic readiness through alternative means, GMAT waivers are opening doors that were once closed.
If you prefer to apply to a No-GMAT MBA, you will lean on the other components of your impressive work and academic experience. However, if you can submit a GMAT score during the application process, take the admission department up on the offer if your score is impressive. It will show you were able to prepare before and perform well during the GMAT.
What Careers Can I Pursue With an MBA?
Within our lifetime, MBA programs were considered advanced degrees for graduate students interested in accounting or finance planning to enter careers in banking. Today, MBAs are in every industry and many different fields. The professional landscape will continue to change as new opportunities become available. One thing is sure: the MBA will remain a pillar in business management training. Many business schools now offer areas of emphasis to help students who would like to specialize in a field where they can expand their skills even more.
But, with inflation and rising costs, is it still worth it to pursue an MBA?
Experts agree that the degree provides graduate students the ideal environment to build their professional skills for top business jobs. An MBA program offered at a top B-school is perfect for students wanting to take that next step in their career at their current organization or move into a new industry. Today’s programs focus on teaching students cutting-edge skills in data analytics while giving learners experience in leadership and team management.
Some students already in the workforce before their MBA programs choose to stay with their current employers. These professionals qualify for promotions and new responsibilities based on their training. Students searching for new opportunities can enter many exciting careers, from logistics to accounting, banking to human resources.
The MBA is Perfect for Today’s Business Leader
One of the main things an MBA degree has going for it is its flexibility as a degree that provides opportunities. A professional’s earning potential with the degree depends on the industry she enters, its location, and her personal experience.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states graduates who go into “C-suite” jobs, like chief executive officers (CEO), marketing managers, and chief technology officers, are among the best-paid professionals in the United States. These executives make impressive six-figure salaries.
Chief Technology Officer
Chief technology officers (CTOs) (or chief technical officers or technologists) are leaders tasked with managing an organization’s technical operations. They oversee and maintain research and development while serving as technical advisors to a higher executive like chief executive officers.
CEOs
CEOs (chief executive officers) make substantial corporate decisions and manage overall operations. These leaders set the company’s strategic direction. CEOs are accountable to a board of directors or a company’s stakeholders. The leaders are often the public face of the organization. A chief executive’s median annual wage was $246,000 in May 2022.
Financial Manager
Finance remains an area where many MBA graduates start their careers. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports financial manager positions are expected to develop by 16 percent through 2032. This rate is much faster than growth for the average job. The median wage for this lucrative career is approximately $139,000 (as of 2022).
A finance manager maintains a company’s financial health. This work includes managing the back-office operations of an organization’s budget and finances. They also lend oversight to investment opportunities and financial strategy for-profit organizations. In large organizations, a finance manager supervises a team of accounting and payroll professionals.
Specific financial manager responsibilities include the following:
- Oversee the execution and communication of financial documents and quarterly or annual reports.
- Analyzing financial reports and finding opportunities to reduce costs.
- Making strategy recommendations for identified issues or general financial decisions.
Information Technology Manager
In recent years, technology jobs have evolved to become more casual. The explosion of brands like Google has given us a picture of workers wearing comfortable clothing instead of three-piece suits and riding scooters in the office while working casual hours under less stressful conditions.
This “Silicon Valley” culture has spread worldwide. Technology is among the highest-paying careers for MBA grads, offering six-figure salaries per year or more and solid job growth.
What does an IT manager do?
Technology managers gain the technological know-how to perform many of the jobs they supervise. These professionals instead focus on bringing technology knowledge and solutions to the table. IT managers ensure initiatives are handled efficiently.
The following are IT management responsibilities:
- Plan upgrades of existing hardware and software.
- Negotiate with vendors for the service of current products and the purchase of new ones.
- Coordinate the installation or upgrade of an organization’s computer systems and infrastructure.
Are There Any Affordable No-GMAT MBA Programs in the U.S.?
Some very good B-schools feature affordably priced no-GMAT MBA programs. The College of Charleston offers a program for less than $35,000, including the expense of an international residency. Program leaders believe an MBA should be relatively inexpensive. That’s why they strive to offer a high-touch, elite program at an affordable rate. Regardless of their residency status, MBA candidates pay a single low rate – this includes international students.
Affordability of the top No-GMAT MBA Programs
The top No-GMAT MBA programs are available for around $30,000 to over $200,000.
| School | Affordability |
|---|---|
| Northwestern University | $$$$$ |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $$$$$ |
| Cornell University | $$$$$ |
| New York University | $$$$$ |
| University of California, Los Angeles | $$$$$ |
| Emory University | $$$$ |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | $$$ |
| University of Washington | $$$ |
| Georgetown University | $$$$$ |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | $$ |
| Washington University in St. Louis | $$$ |
| University of Rochester | $$$$ |
| University of Notre Dame | $$$ |
| University of Texas at Dallas | $$$ |
| Brigham Young University | $$ |
| University of Maryland, College Park | $$$ |
| Texas A&M University | $$$ |
| Michigan State University | $$$ |
| University of Minnesota | $$$$ |
| University of Florida | $$ |
| William & Mary | $$ |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | $$ |
| Southern Methodist University | $$ |
| University of California, Irvine | $$$$$ |
| Arizona State University | $$$ |
| University of Pittsburgh | $$ |
| Fordham University | $$$$ |
| Texas Christian University | $$$ |
| Case Western Reserve University | $$$$ |
| CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College | $$ |
| George Washington University | $$$$ |
| University of California, Davis | $$$ |
| Baylor University | $$$ |
| University of Houston | $$$ |
| Babson College | $$$ |
| Penn State | $ |
| University of Arizona | $$ |
| Northeastern University | $$$ |
| University at Buffalo | $$ |
| University of Colorado Boulder | $$ |
| University of Cincinnati | $$ |
| College of Charleston | $ |
| Pepperdine University | $$$$$ |
| University of Denver | $$$ |
| Hult International Business School | $$$ |
| North Carolina State University | $$ |
| University of San Diego | $$$ |
| University of California San Diego | $$$$ |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | $$$ |
| University of Oregon | $$$ |
Are There Ways to Make a No-GMAT MBA More Affordable?
Applying for Scholarships, Fellowships, and Internships
The price of most MBA programs can leave you with sticker shock. However, with the scholarship opportunities at many schools, the discount on tuition can be significant, making the degree more affordable. Regardless of how deserving candidates might be, many circumstances affect being awarded a scholarship. A program’s budget, economic forces impacting donations and endowments, whether they offer aid on merit or a need basis, and a donor’s criteria on how a school can spend their scholarship all impact a student’s chances.
Understanding the Cost of Attendance
All schools disclose a cost of attendance. But what does it mean? The cost of attendance reveals the maximum annual amount of financial aid MBA students can receive across all aid types. For elite B-schools, that could be over $125K per year. Attendance costs include tuition, books, fees, health insurance, and some living expenses. It will not typically include travel, student club dues, social events, moving expenses, recruiting costs, conferences, and expenses incurred in the summer before, during, or after business school.
Budgeting for the Extras
The tuition rate is one thing, but what about the comprehensive cost of the MBA? Throughout a two-year program, graduate students can spend $10 – 20K on travel, so one can estimate the actual cost of a degree to be deep within the six figures. Is it necessary to spend so much? Absolutely not. The key is to ensure you are saving for what you want to do outside of the cost of your program.
How MBA students decide to save is based on personal preference. Some B-school candidates live with family or get a roommate to reduce rent. Small ways to save include canceling cable or streaming services, making your coffee, bringing your lunch to work, etc. It is always possible to begin assessing one’s budget and pare down expenses so you can enter business school with the needed buffer.
Considering Student Loans
Students who received financial assistance from federal or state sources for their undergraduate degree do not qualify for the same benefits as graduate students. No Pell, SEOG, or state grants are granted. MBA students have good news: they can access federal and private loan options that allow them to borrow their total cost of attendance less other aid. These loans accrue interest while MBA students take courses and can take years to repay, depending on graduates’ chosen careers.
Are student loans a poor option?
Only sometimes, but it will depend on a student’s philosophy on debt, risk tolerance, other financial goals, career trajectory, and future earning potential. Many MBAs find student loans the right option to unlock higher-paying salaries. Check business school websites for the average salaries of your favorite post-MBA careers, and use the information to estimate whether you can afford the monthly payment.
Investigating Other Ways to Pay for Business School
Scholarships and loans are not the only ways to finance your dream MBA or make the advanced business degree more affordable. Consider the following creative ideas:
- Ask your family to help you with some of the associated costs. Some funding may be left in a 529 plan that could be applied to graduate school. Parents may be willing to tap into home equity for a loan.
- Corporate diversity fellowships are available for professional women in consulting and investment banking. These fellowships provide tuition discounts and summer internships.
- Ask your company if they provide tuition assistance if you work there post-MBA for a set number of years.
To Sum Up
Pursuing an MBA is no walk in the park. It requires tenacity and dedication. While the depth and breadth of the program can seem daunting, the rewards are many. It is an excellent time to consider seeking a no-GMAT MBA program.