The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) can be a daunting task to prepare for, both in terms of time and effort. For some individuals with strong overall qualifications, a subpar GRE score can negatively impact their chances of gaining admission to a reputable university. Additionally, the cost of taking the GRE, as well as sending scores, can be a significant added expense in the application process.
Furthermore, the GRE does not necessarily predict success at the graduate level. For these reasons, many universities in the USA offer GRE waivers for graduate programs. In this article, we will explore the top universities in the USA that do not require the GRE for Masters programs.
- Boston University
- California State University
- George Mason University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- New Mexico State University
- Northeastern University
- Oklahoma City University
- The University of Dayton
- University of Bridgeport
- University of Cincinnati
- University of North Texas
- Purdue University
- San José State University (SJSU)
- Stevens Institute of Technology
- Wichita State University
Overview of the above listed universities
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. The University offers a wide range of graduate and undergraduate programs across various fields, including sciences, arts, medicine, business, humanities, education, and social studies. Students interested in pursuing a master’s degree without taking the GRE can find various programs options within the university. According to the QS World University Rankings 2022, Boston University is ranked 112th globally. The university has some programs which don’t require GRE as mandatory score such as MS in Artificial Intelligence, MS in Computer Information Systems, MS in Applied Data Analytics, MS in Bioinformatics and MS in Robotics and Autonomous Systems. The approximate tuition fee for these programs is between 50,000 – 58,000 USD per year.
California State University, located in Sacramento, California, provides a range of graduate program options without requiring the submission of GRE scores from applicants. This university situated in the state of the Silicon Valley, comprises seven academic colleges and offers around 58 graduation disciplines. With such a diverse range of programs, it is a great option for students interested in pursuing a master’s degree without taking the GRE. The QS World University Rankings for 2022 is not available for this University. The university offer few programs such as MS in Civil Engineering, MS in Mechanical Engineering, MS in Chemistry and students may want to consider these program as they doesn’t require the GRE as mandatory. The estimated tuition fee for these programs is between 13,000 and 15,000 USD per year.
George Mason University is a highly reputable public research university located in Fairfax, Virginia that is recognized for its strong research programs particularly in the fields of economics and law. In addition to these, the university also has a diverse range of popular majors, including Psychology, Information Technology, Biological Sciences, Management and Quantitative Methods. The student body at George Mason University is diverse, representing over 130 nationalities. According to the QS World University Rankings 2022, George Mason University is ranked between 801-1000 globally. The university offers several programs without mandatory GRE scores such as MS in Civil & Infrastructure Engineering, MS in Health Informatics, MS in Data Analytics Engineering and MS in Applied and Engineering Physics, with approximate tuition fee per year ranging between 20,000 – 28,000 USD.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a globally renowned university in the fields of computer science and engineering, does not require the submission of GRE scores for certain graduate programs. This fact, that a prestigious institution such as MIT does not require the GRE for admissions, suggests that the test may not hold as much weight in the admissions process as commonly perceived.
According to the QS World University Rankings 2022, MIT is ranked 1st in the world. The approximate annual tuition for MIT is between 40,000-45,000 USD. MIT is in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and offers graduate programs in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Computational Science and Engineering without the requirement of a GRE score.
New Mexico State University (NMSU) is a well-respected public research university located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Known for its rich history, NMSU is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States. The university offers a wide range of graduate programs in various fields, including science, engineering, business, health, and education. The QS World University Rankings for 2022 is not available for this University. NMSU offers some programs without mandatory GRE score such as MS in Computer Science, MS in Industrial Engineering and the approximate tuition fee for these programs is between 18,000 – 20,000 USD per year.
Northeastern University is a well-respected private institution located in Boston, Massachusetts that offers the opportunity for students to apply to its graduate programs without being required to submit GRE scores. The university offers a wide range of programs across multiple disciplines including Business, Computer and Information Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics. According to the QS World University Rankings 2022, Northeastern University is ranked 342 globally. Some of the programs offered by the University without the mandatory GRE include MS in Computer Science, MS in Computer Systems Engineering, MS in Industrial Engineering, MS in Data Analytics Engineering, MS in Civil Engineering, MS in Environmental Engineering and MS in Chemical Engineering, with approximate tuition fee per year ranging between 49,000 – 53,000 USD.
Oklahoma City University (OCU) is a private institution located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma that offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs including Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees. Some of the master’s level programs at the university do not require international students to submit GRE scores as a part of the admission process. The QS World University Rankings for 2022 is not available for this University. Among the programs offered by the University without the mandatory GRE score is MS in Computer Science and the approximate tuition fee for this program is between 10,000-12,000 USD per year.
The University of Dayton, a national research university located in Dayton, Ohio, allows applicants the option of submitting GRE scores for its graduate programs. This flexible approach makes it possible for students to pursue a master’s degree without being required to take the GRE. The University of Dayton is ranked among the Top 100 universities in the United States. The QS World University Rankings for 2022 is not available for this University. The university offers a wide range of graduate programs without mandatory GRE score, including MS in Civil Engineering, MS in Mechanical Engineering, MS in Computer Engineering, MS in Electrical Engineering, MS in Renewable and Clean Energy, MS in Aerospace Engineering, MS in Chemical Engineering. The estimated tuition fee for these programs is between 42,000 and 44,000 USD per year.
The University of Bridgeport is a private institution located in Bridgeport, Connecticut that offers a variety of programs at the certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels. The University comprises of 3 colleges and 16 schools, providing a wide range of courses across all major disciplines. It is a good option for students seeking to pursue a degree without being required to take the GRE. The QS World University Rankings for 2022 is not available for this University. The University offers few graduate programs without the mandatory GRE such as MS in Computer Science, MS in Biomedical Engineering, MS in Computer Engineering, MS in Electrical Engineering and MS in Mechanical Engineering, with the approximate tuition fee range from 20,000 – 28,000 USD per year.
The University of Cincinnati is a highly-regarded public research university located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Known for its diverse and beautiful campus, the university is considered one of the best public universities in the United States. While certain programs may require students to submit GRE scores, certain departments admit international students based on their GPA alone, with a minimum requirement of 3.0 or above. According to the QS World University Rankings 2022, the University of Cincinnati is ranked between 601 and 650 globally. The university offer one of the programs without mandatory GRE score is MS in Computer Science and the approximate tuition fee for this program is 25,000 -27,000 USD per year.
The University of North Texas, also known as North Texas State University, is a public research university located in Denton, Texas. It offers a wide range of academic programs, including Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral and Certificate programs. Some of its notable schools include the School of Business, School of Management, School of Marketing, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the College of Visual Arts and Design.According to the QS World University Rankings 2022, UNT is ranked between 1001 and 1200 globally. The university offer one of the program without mandatory GRE score which is MS in Data Science and the approximate tuition fee for this program is 22,000 -35,000 USD per year.
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, is a well-regarded public research institution that frequently ranks among the top 20 graduate schools in the United States. The university offers a variety of master’s degree programs without the requirement of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), including MS in Computer Science, MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering, MS in Environmental and Ecological Engineering, and MS in Ecological Sciences and Engineering. According to the QS World University Rankings 2022, Purdue University is ranked 116th globally. Tuition fees for these programs at Purdue University generally range between 20,000 and 30,000 USD per year.
San José State University (SJSU) is a well-regarded institution known for its research and technology-based programs. If you are looking to study in the US without taking the GRE and instead would like to focus on IELTS scores, SJSU is a great option to consider. While some programs such as Master in Computer Engineering, Master in Biotechnology may require GRE scores, the university does offer several programs where the GRE is not mandatory and admissions is based on other factors along with English proficiency test scores such as IELTS or TOEFL. The QS World University Rankings for 2022 is not available for this University. SJSU offers some programs without mandatory GRE score such as MS in Data Analytics, MS in Civil Engineering, MS Aerospace Engineering and the approximate tuition fee per year is between 15,000 – 16,000 USD.
The Stevens Institute of Technology, a private research university located in Hoboken, New Jersey, offers a flexible admissions process for its graduate programs, with the option for applicants to submit GRE scores at their discretion. This allows students to consider earning a master’s degree from the Institute without being required to take the GRE. According to the QS World University Rankings 2022, Stevens Institute of Technology is ranked between 701 and 750 globally. The university offers MS in Computer Science and MS in Information Systems as programs without mandatory GRE. The estimated tuition fee for these programs is between 39,000 to 58,000 USD per year.
Wichita State University, located in Wichita, Kansas, is a highly-ranked institution known for its engineering programs, and which also offers graduate programs that do not require submission of GRE scores as part of the admissions process. The University boasts of a diverse student body, with students coming from over 100 countries. This can be an excellent option for students looking to study in the US without a GRE score. The QS World University Rankings for 2022 is not available for this University. Some of the programs offered by the University without the mandatory GRE include MS in Aerospace Engineering, MS in Computer Networking, MS in Computer Science, MS in Biological Sciences and the estimated tuition fee for these programs is between 12,000 and 14,000 USD per year.
