According to data from Payscale, employees with an MBA earn an average salary of $94,000 as of January 2023 — over $20,000 more per year than the average salary for workers who hold only a bachelor's degree in business.
MBA graduates can qualify for advanced occupations in business and finance, a career field which offers higher-than-average salaries and a 7% projected job growth rate from 2021 to 2031, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Admission requirements for online MBA programs typically include official transcripts, resumes, recommendation letters, and GMAT scores. The 2022 GMAT Geographic Trend Report indicates that 2,027 MBA programs in the U.S. accepted GMAT scores in 2022.
However, studying for and taking the GMAT requires time and money. The exam may seem daunting for students who struggle with test performance. Fortunately, some online MBA programs require no GMAT scores, instead emphasizing other aspects of a learner's background, including GPA and professional experience.
Read on for an overview of the best online MBA programs without GMAT requirements.
Online MBA Programs for You
What Is the GMAT?
The GMAT is a standardized test first administered in 1954. It evaluates prospective business students' aptitude and potential. This four-part exam tests learners' analytical writing and quantitative, verbal, and integrated reasoning. These sections are designed to assess analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. The GMAT takes 3-4 hours to complete and costs $275-$300.
Graduate programs like management master's degrees, MBAs, and MA or MS programs in business-related fields often require the GMAT. Many business schools look for minimum GMAT scores of 600, while competitive programs may expect scores in the 700-800 range. Performing well on this test typically requires several months of rigorous study.
Students should take the test several months before school application deadlines to allow time to retake the exam if needed. Research prospective MBA programs' GMAT requirements carefully, as some schools count only the most recent GMAT score, while others accept the highest score. Some schools emphasize the essay score heavily, while others may focus more on the scores for reasoning.
Why Are Business Schools Waiving or Not Requiring the GMAT?
The GMAT assesses business-related skills and can help learners demonstrate their preparedness for graduate study. However, the test does not measure intangible qualities like leadership or teamwork. For this reason, some business schools prefer to consider applicants holistically, using information like work experience to gain insights into prospective students. Eliminating standardized test requirements can also attract more applicants to these schools.
Offering alternatives to the GMAT benefits both schools and applicants by reducing hurdles that discourage prospective students from applying. Offering GMAT waivers to candidates with demonstrated work experience benefits those who have been out of school for a few years, while institutions gain more diverse applicant pools of experienced professionals.
MBA Admission Requirements in Place of GMAT Scores
Online MBA programs with no GMAT requirement or programs that offer GMAT waivers to qualified applicants often emphasize the following admission criteria:
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Work Experience: The best online MBA programs prefer applicants with a few years of professional experience under their belt. Programs that require GMAT scores often waive the standardized testing requirement for students with significant professional experience.
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Advanced Degrees: Similarly, many programs with GMAT requirements do not require applicants with a previous master's or doctoral degree to take the exam. Graduate degrees demonstrate that applicants can handle the academic rigor of top online MBA programs.
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High GPA: Business schools with no GMAT requirement may emphasize undergraduate academic performance. Considering a candidate's transcripts allows MBA programs to evaluate a student's academic abilities. Programs that require the GMAT may waive test requirements for students with high GPAs.
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Professional Licensure: Earning a professional license or certification can help an aspiring business student to stand out from other applicants. Candidates demonstrate skills and industry knowledge through certifications in project management, accounting, financial risk management, financial analysis, and human resources.
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Letters of Recommendation: By reading recommendation letters from professors and supervisors, admissions staff can get a sense of an applicant's personality, work ethic, and dedication. Unlike test scores and grades, these letters speak to prospective students' personalities.
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Essay or Personal Statement: Most business schools require applicants to submit essays or personal statements. In these essays, prospective business students typically explain their reasons for pursuing a business degree and how the school's offerings align with these goals.
Evaluating MBA Programs Without GMAT Requirements
Though each program differs, top MBA schools with no GMAT requirement have several commonalities. To identify the best MBA programs without GMAT requirements, look for these features during your program search:
Accreditation
This voluntary evaluation process verifies institutions' academic quality. Approved institutional accrediting organizations assess curricula, resources, and outcome data to determine whether schools meet standards for educational rigor.
Programmatic accreditation, on the other hand, examines specific departments' curricular offerings to determine whether courses prepare learners for jobs in the field. Business degrees hold programmatic accreditation from agencies like AACSB International.
Consult this guide to learn more about accreditation.
Affordability
MBA programs often charge $50,000-$100,000 for tuition alone. To maximize affordability, learners can look for MBAs that charge lower-than-average tuition, offer scholarships, or have special tuition rates for online learners specifically.
Graduate Success
Some online MBA programs share statistics about student outcomes. Information like graduation rates, employment levels, and post-graduation salary averages can help applicants choose programs that offer a positive return on investment.
Online Resources
Most high-quality online MBA programs with no GMAT requirements offer resources like technical support to assist distance learners. Schools with low student-to-faculty ratios often allow for more individualized instruction. Other online student resources may include internship support, resume review, and mock interviews.
Robust Curriculum
Concentrations allow students to specialize their MBAs to fit their career goals. Concentration options for online MBAs can include supply chain management, healthcare administration, and manufacturing. Pursuing specializations can help qualify graduates for niche careers that offer higher-than-average salaries.
Why Get an MBA?
Today, students have more avenues than ever to develop qualitative and analytical skills and become successful business managers. Many options cost far less than business schools, leading some to question the continued utility and value of MBAs.
As Harvard Business Review notes, quality business schools have shifted their focus to respond to the changing educational landscape. Top MBA programs retain a strong emphasis on technical and analysis-driven proficiencies while also delivering comprehensive leadership training. This important feature separates MBA degrees from lower-level and alternative credentials, reinforcing their continued relevance and utility.
Other noteworthy benefits of an MBA degree include:
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Career Advancement: Because MBAs are an advanced credential, they can help degree-holders qualify for upper-level roles, including management positions.
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Network Access: MBA alumni networks are an excellent career-building asset, even for learners who study entirely online. These networks can help learners connect to prospective employers.
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Transferability: MBAs offer outstanding versatility, enabling degree-holders to keep pace with the ever-changing dynamics of economic sectors and industries.
2023's Top Online MBA Programs with No GMAT Requirement
The following rankings offer insight into the best online MBA programs that do not require applicants to provide GMAT scores. Note that some of the schools apply an experience requirement for GMAT waivers. Academics, affordability, and reputation comprise the criteria to determine the rankings, along with program availability and flexibility.
Using available federal data ensures an objective list of the top five online MBAs with no GMAT requirement. The annually updated ranking uses up-to-date information to present the best online MBAs for 2023.
#1 2023’s Best Online MBA Programs (No GMAT Required)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Chapel Hill, NC
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
UNC-Chapel Hill was the first and only public university in the United States to award degrees in the 18th century. As the flagship institution within the University of North Carolina System, UNC-Chapel Hill offers more than 250 academic programs and enrolls over 30,000 students annually.
Online MBA
UNC-Chapel Hill's online MBA, offered through the Kenan-Flagler Business School, includes 62 credit hours of coursework. Each enrollee completes 34 credit hours of core courses alongside elective classes.
The core curriculum emphasizes business essentials, including finance, business communication and strategy, and leadership. By aligning elective classes with core requirements, students can specialize in one of six subsets of business.
Enrollees can attend UNC-Chapel Hill's main campus, weekend executive MBA courses, and weeklong intensive courses at the institution's Washington, D.C., campus. The accelerated program spans 18 months, while UNC-Chapel Hill's extended online MBA lasts as many as 36 months.
UNC-Chapel Hill's online MBA has four start dates each year. Each applicant must have at least two years of professional experience and a bachelor's degree to apply.
UNC-Chapel Hill's Specializations
Data Analytics And Decision Making | Entrepreneurship | Finance | Management And Leadership | Marketing | Strategy And Consulting
UNC-Chapel Hill's Affordability
During the 2022-2023 academic year, online MBA students paid $125,590 in tuition. Enrollees have access to partial-tuition fellowships, including those offered through the Forté Fellowship Program. Additional financial aid options include employer sponsorship, veteran benefits, and federal student aid.
Program at a Glance
- School Type: Public
- Accreditation: SACSCOC, AACSB
- Tuition: $125,590 total
- Required Credits: 62
- Program Length: 24 months
- Delivery Format: Online or hybrid; asynchronous and/or synchronous
- Admissions
- Process: Each applicant must submit a resume or CV, transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and an essay. Candidates also complete interviews. Applicants with fewer than five years of experience must provide GMAT/GRE scores, however.
- Standardized Tests: Applicants with five or more years of professional experience do not need GMAT or GRE scores to enroll in UNC-Chapel Hill's online MBA. Waivers for candidates with less experience are also available.
- Cost: $150
Percent Online Enrollment
91%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 2023’s Best Online MBA Programs (No GMAT Required)
University of Florida
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The Gainesville-based UF enrolls over 53,000 students annually. With origins tracing back to 1858, UF houses 16 academic colleges. The university adopted its alligator mascot in 1911 and introduced the well-known beverage Gatorade to the world in 1965.
Online MBA
At UF, the online MBA includes one-year and two-year options. The one-year online MBA accommodates students with undergraduate business degrees. UF's two-year curriculum incorporates additional business coursework for applicants with undergraduate degrees in non-business disciplines.
The one-year online MBA with no GMAT requirement spans 16 months. Students complete 32 credit hours of core and elective classes. The two-year online MBA integrates 48 credit hours of classes and offers additional scheduling flexibility.
Each enrollee participates in one experiential learning requirement and completes a course on global strategic management during the final term. Online MBA students also take part in an on-campus orientation.
UF's Affordability
Tuition for the two-year online MBA is $58,000, while enrollees pay $48,000 for the one-year online MBA. A $1,500 deposit secures a spot in the program and applies to the final term of coursework. Employer-sponsored students and enrollees with military benefits can access support through the bursar and financial aid offices.
Program at a Glance
- School Type: Public
- Accreditation: SACSCOC, AACSB
- Tuition: $48,000-$58,000
- Required Credits: 32-48
- Program Length: 12-24 months
- Delivery Format: Online (with on-campus orientation and experiential learning); synchronous
- Admissions
- Process: Each candidate submits a pre-application form in anticipation of the admissions review process. An applicant also must provide two letters of recommendation, transcripts, and short-answer and essay responses for consideration.
- Standardized Tests: Optional GMAT or GRE
- Cost: $30
Percent Online Enrollment
92%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 2023’s Best Online MBA Programs (No GMAT Required)
Florida International University
- Miami, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
FIU opened its doors in 1972. The university meets the needs of 58,000 learners annually from its Miami campus and sites throughout southern Florida. FIU provides nearly 200 degree options through 11 schools and colleges.
Professional MBA Online
The professional MBA at FIU offers three pacing options, five start dates each year, and more than 10 degree concentrations. The online no-GMAT MBA includes 42 credit hours of coursework and three professional development seminars.
Core classes emphasize finance, accounting, business analysis, and management. Professional development seminars, completed during the first eight-week term, focus on optimizing student performance in an online learning environment.
FIU students can benefit from MBA industry night events. Business leaders deliver speeches, while attendees can network with recruiters. Professional MBA online students can also access FIU's business career management office to aid them as they enter the workforce.
FIU's Specializations
Business Data Analytics | Business Law | Entrepreneurship And Innovation | Finance | International Business | Leadership | Marketing Channel Strategy | Real Estate | Sports Management | Strategic Negotiations
FIU's Affordability
Tuition for FIU's professional online MBA, regardless of format, is $42,000. FIU also offers program scholarships of up to $15,000. For eligibility, learners must be in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Additional funding resources include FIU scholarships and external and industry funding opportunities.
Program at a Glance
- School Type: Public
- Accreditation: SACSCOC, AACSB
- Tuition: $1,000 per credit hour
- Required Credits: 42
- Program Length: 18-33 months
- Delivery Format: 100% online (asynchronous)
- Admissions
- Process: Applicants submit a resume, official transcripts, a statement of purpose, and two optional letters of recommendation for consideration.
- Standardized Tests: None
- Cost: $30
Percent Online Enrollment
86%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 2023’s Best Online MBA Programs (No GMAT Required)
University of Southern California
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
USC, located in Los Angeles, first offered classes in 1880. Home to 23 academic schools, colleges, and units, USC provides undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs to nearly 50,000 learners annually.
Online MBA
Offered through the Marshall School of Business, USC's online MBA includes 51 credit hours of coursework. Learners complete classes in the role of the manager and fundamentals of business before continuing to the rest of the curriculum.
Additional required courses include opportunity recognition and implementation, managing outside the firm, and business environment and leadership. Elective options for online MBA students at USC provide opportunities to explore topics like project management and entrepreneurship.
USC's online MBA requires students to attend a week-long residential intensive at the beginning of the program. All classes integrate asynchronous and synchronous elements, and students participate in two live class sessions per week.
USC's Affordability
Online students pay $112,000 in tuition across five semesters. Additional program costs include travel to required residencies and program and course materials.
USC offers merit-based scholarships to online MBA students. Additional financial aid options accompany employer reimbursement programs and payment plans.
Program at a Glance
- School Type: Private
- Accreditation: WSCUC
- Tuition: $22,000 per semester
- Required Credits: 51
- Program Length: 21 months
- Delivery Format: Online (one-week, in-person residential requirement); synchronous and asynchronous
- Admissions
- Process: Each applicant must have at least two years of professional experience. Application materials include two required essays, transcripts, a resume, and one letter of recommendation. Candidates also participate in admissions interviews.
- Standardized Tests: None
- Cost: $155
Percent Online Enrollment
89%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
#5 2023’s Best Online MBA Programs (No GMAT Required)
Rice University
- Houston, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Chartered by its namesake William Marsh Rice in 1891, Rice houses eight academic schools. Rice occupies 300 acres in Houston, Texas, and embraces its values — responsibility, integrity, community, and excellence — in its name and mission alike.
Online MBA
The online MBA at Rice includes 54 credit hours of coursework. Thirty-six credit hours of core classes cover fundamental financial accounting, data analysis, and marketing. Elective courses allow learners to complete one of seven focus areas and specialize their degrees.
Online MBA students complete two field experience courses, one residential and one global field experience. Learners are encouraged to take part in additional field experience courses throughout the online MBA.
Rice's online MBA curriculum culminates with a capstone requirement. Students apply degree knowledge and skills to team projects while working with executives from community-based organizations.
Rice's Specializations
Corporate Strategy | Corporate Finance | Investment Management | Marketing | Entrepreneurship | Energy | Healthcare
Rice's Affordability
Students pay $2,100 per credit hour, although tuition does not cover field experience program costs. Rice works with employers, offers payment plans, and provides information about financial aid opportunities to help all online MBA students finance the program.
Program at a Glance
- School Type: Private
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Tuition: $2,100 per credit hour
- Required Credits: 54
- Program Length: 24-36 months
- Delivery Format: Online (on-campus residential requirement); synchronous and asynchronous
- Admissions
- Process: Each applicant submits transcripts, a resume, an essay, and letters of recommendation in anticipation of a virtual interview. Upon admission, students pay a $1,000 deposit. Candidates with fewer than seven years of experience must provide GMAT or GRE scores.
- GPA: Not specified
- Standardized Tests: GMAT or GRE. Applicants with seven or more years of professional experience may receive GMAT or GRE waivers.
- Cost: $150
Percent Online Enrollment
93%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
What Jobs Can an MBA Get You?
MBA degree-holders find gainful employment at impressive rates: A 2022 U.S. News & World Report analysis found that 84.6% of 2021 graduates from ranked MBA programs landed a job within three months. In our increasingly digital world, where employers value online and in-person degrees at the same level, online MBAs with no GMAT can lead students to these same career outcomes, including executive positions with C-suite growth potential.
Professional experience and on-the-job training carry a great deal of value, but companies may prefer credential-based pedigrees when making hiring decisions for upper-level roles. As such, MBA programs increasingly attract candidates whose career progression has stalled due to a lack of advanced business education.
Business schools also attract independent self-starters in large numbers, and MBA programs appeal strongly to emerging entrepreneurs. MBA degree-holders can launch their own businesses or work as self-employed management consultants. Other popular career paths for MBA graduates include:
Marketing Manager
Marketing managers lead teams that formulate, execute, and refine strategies to promote companies' products or services. They often work in specialized marketing or advertising agencies.
- Required Education: Bachelor's degree; MBA with marketing or advertising specialization preferred
- Job Outlook (2021-31): +10%
- 2021 Median Annual Salary: $133,380
Financial Analyst
These analysts evaluate financial data and trends to guide and inform organizations' decision-making processes. Many focus on assessing investment and growth opportunities.
- Required Education: Bachelor's degree; MBA with finance or economics specialization preferred
- Job Outlook (2021-31): +9%
- 2021 Median Annual Salary: $95,570
Healthcare Manager
Healthcare managers implement organizational policies, allocate resources, and maintain quality assurance guidelines in hospitals and inpatient care centers. These roles may require experience as a nurse, nurse practitioner, or physician.
- Required Education: Bachelor's degree; MBA with healthcare management specialization preferred
- Job Outlook (2021-31): +28%
- 2021 Median Annual Salary: $101,340
Management Analyst
Management analysts help businesses identify areas where they could boost profitability by improving organizational efficiency.
- Required Education: Bachelor's degree; MBA with management specialization preferred
- Job Outlook (2021-31): +11%
- 2021 Median Annual Salary: $93,000
Financial Services Sales Agent
Also known as investment bankers, financial services sales agents recommend investments and financial products to clients. They also act as intermediaries between buyers and sellers in financial markets.
- Required Education: Bachelor's degree; MBA with finance or economics specialization preferred
- Job Outlook (2021-31): +10%
- 2021 Median Annual Salary: $62,910
Online MBA Programs for You
What To Expect From the Online MBA Experience
Online MBA programs with no GMAT deliver a rigorous educational experience. In most cases, full-time enrollees can complete their studies in 1-2 years. Part-time students typically graduate in 3-5 years.
Program structures typically include core courses, electives, and capstone culminating experiences. Core courses cover essential learning, while electives afford degree-seekers the chance to specialize their learning in specific areas. Capstone courses synthesize program content, typically by requiring students to synthesize their knowledge and skills as they analyze and propose solutions for real-world business problems.
Tuition varies widely: At the high end, business schools can cost upwards of $2,000 per credit. Meanwhile, the most budget-friendly programs charge an average of about $300 per credit. Applicants should carry out a cost-benefit analysis for each prospective program to maximize their educational ROI.
What If the School You Want Requires the GMAT or GRE?
After thoroughly researching all your options, you may find that your ideal MBA program does, in fact, require GMAT or GRE scores. Though not everyone may excel at standardized tests, earning high scores can help you stand out and strengthen your application if, for example, your GPA is on the lower end of the spectrum.
To prepare for the GMAT or GRE, business school candidates can purchase exercise-based study guides, enroll in prep courses, or work one-on-one with tutors. Experts also stress the importance of starting the preparation process early and integrating multiple timed practice exams into your study routine. For more information and tips, consult this complete guide to the GMAT for MBA applicants.
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Common Questions About Top Online MBA Programs with No GMAT Requirement
Are there any MBA programs that don't require GMAT?
Yes, numerous schools offer an MBA with no GMAT requirements. However, applicants should prepare to showcase their skills and experience in other ways, such as personal statements or resumes, when applying for these programs.
Do employers look down on online MBAs?
No. Many no-GMAT online MBA programs offer the same curriculum and outcomes as their in-person counterparts. Employers may prioritize candidates who have completed an accredited, reputable MBA program, whether online or in person, for various MBA jobs.
Do online MBA programs require GMAT?
No, not all online MBA programs require GMAT scores. Programs often look for applicants with well-rounded credentials, such as high GPAs, work experience, and leadership potential, rather than just accepting students based on standardized test scores.
Should I take the GMAT if it's not required?
If you apply for an online MBA with no GMAT requirements, you can still take the GMAT to improve your chance of acceptance. However, applicants who do not excel at tests can highlight other strengths like work experience.
