Online MBA programs have exploded in popularity, particularly among those who do not have the time to decamp to campus for up to two years to get a full-time degree.
Unfortunately, many Online MBAs still require GMAT scores, which help admission committees determine academic readiness for the rigorous course. For Online MBA applicants, many of whom are under pressure because they work full-time, this can be a problem.
But if prepping for dozens of hours to complete the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), is not an option for you, there remain plenty of business schools that will accept you without a score — provided you meet the other admission requirements.
And many of the schools that do require the GMAT, or rival exam the GRE are oftentimes prepared to waive it for outstanding candidates.
What’s more, many of them are actually highly-regarded programs, ranked highly by prestigious publications such as US News and World Report.
So you can be assured that the quality of the cohort is not affected by the lack of GMAT scores. After all, the mantra of the MBA is that students learn as much from their fellow participants as they do from the faculty.
We’ve compiled a list of the top schools for prospective Online MBA students which do not require the GMAT (or GRE).
For those with plenty of work experience, but who do not want to study for the GMAT, the D’Amore-McKim School of Business is a good choice. The school waives the test for such candidates. According to the FT, the school’s Online MBA is the eight best in the US. The course is also ultra-flexible: students can customize the modules and earn while they learn over two years.
View School ProfileThis business school was rated as having the 15th best Online MBA in the world by QS, the 29th best in America by US News and World Report, and sixth in the US by the Princeton Review. And it’s willing to waive the GMAT for entry to the esteemed course.
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Babson College’s Blended Learning MBA — taught both online and in-person — is ranked sixth globally by the FT. Career outcomes are strong, with Babson graduates earning $167,386 three years after graduation, a 26 percent bump on their pre-MBA pay. There is more good news: GMAT and GRE scores are not required for admission.
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Australia’s AGSM runs a highly-regarded MBAX program that is delivered online. The course’s entry requirements include a strong undergraduate degree, work experience but no GMAT or GRE. The school’s MBA is renowned for its specalizations: in change, finance, social impact or technology.
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Not only are prospective Online MBA candidates not required to submit a GMAT or GRE score to get into this business school, but tuition is a steal, at only $22,000. The College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers an “iMBA” in partnership with online education provider Coursera, which among others pioneered Moocs (massive, open, online courses).
View School ProfileIn addition to being AACSB-accredited, Online MBA students at the Lincoln College of Business have reported a $52,900 salary on graduation — a decent return on their $28,000 investment spent on tuition fees. Those who have doctorate-level qualifications do not need to complete a standardized test to be considered for admission to the prestigious program.
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Durham University Business School of the UK does not require the GMAT or GRE to apply to the Online MBA — only a minimum of three years’ relevant work experience and a first degree. The school’s digital degree is ranked fifth globally by the FT, with students enjoying salaries of more than $140,000 three years after graduation, which is 27 percent boost.
View School ProfileThe Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst is one of the world’s best when it comes to Online MBAs. Its course was ranked third globally this year by the FT. And yet, fewer than one-third of its Online MBA students submit a GMAT or GRE score. The tests are waived, provided candidates have a master’s with a 3.5 GPA, plus more than five years’ work experience; or 10 years of postgraduate work experience with a 3.2 GPA.
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The Kelley School of Business at Indiana University will waive the GMAT if candidates have a “terminal degree”, such as a PhD from an accredited university. The Online MBA at the Kelley school itself is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, or AACSB, regarded by some as the gold standard of business school accreditation. That ensures quality standards are met, so you can rest assured that the value of the education is very high indeed.
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Warwick Business School, in the UK, is ranked as the best Online MBA globally by the Financial Times, one of the most respected rankings providers. The Warwick MBA by Distance Learning is well-regarded for career progress, with its alumni, after three years, enjoying a 34 percent salary increase, to a hefty $183,000. And Warwick does not require the GMAT or GRE for the course. Instead a first degree, English proficiency and work experience are needed.
View School ProfileRelated Online MBA News
Illinois Institute of Technology Launches New Online MBA Program
Apr 17, 2020
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