Top 10 Online MBAs With No GMAT Requirement 2024

• Our #1 ranking school for online MBAs without requiring GMAT score is the University of St. Mary, followed by Georgia Southern University.
• More universities are moving away from GMAT as a predictor of academic success in online MBA programs.
• Online MBA rankings consider factors like cost, accreditation, faculty profiles, and practical experience for program placement.

This ranking examines the ten best online MBA programs that don’t require GMAT scores for admission.

As more colleges and universities shift away from requiring the GMAT, it’s easier than ever to find quality online MBA programs that do not require this exam. In this guide, we highlight the top 10 online MBA programs with no GMAT requirement for 2024. These accredited MBA online programs without GMAT requirements offer the same level of education and career opportunities as those that do, making them a smart choice for students focused on advancing their careers. Keep reading to find the best option for your future.

Online MBA program placement in the ranking is based on affordability as well as other factors outlined in our graduate methodology.

Editor’s Note: Florida State University and Boise State University recently added a no gmat MBA to their online programs. Compare them to the programs in this ranking!

#1. University of Saint Mary

St Leavenworth, KS

Online MBA

Website

Points: 16

Graduate Tuition: $11,232

Our pick for the best online MBA with no GMAT, the University of Saint Mary offers an online Master of Business Administration. Like many business schools, it places a strong emphasis on corporate responsibility and ethics with a Catholic mission and values. Incoming students can focus on a specific interest by choosing one of six concentrations:

• Leadership and Organizational Health Concentration
• Marketing & Advertising Management
• General Management 
• Finance
• Health Care Management
• Human Resource Management 

The business administration program teaches critical thinking and encourages students to consider how decisions affect business and its brand reputation. A minimum undergraduate GPA may apply.

Pros:

• Numerous concentrations
• IACBE-accredited

Cons:

• Lesser known business school

Key Faculty:

• Harvey, Ph.D., Mark (Business and Information Technologies)
• Pullin, MBA, David (Marketing and Management)

#2. Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, GA

Online MBA

Website

Points: 15

Graduate Tuition: $4,986

Georgia Southern University offers one of the most affordable online MBA programs with no GMAT requirement for MBA applicants. Designed for qualified, motivated professionals, this world-class MBA program enhances students’ business skills and prepares them to excel in their careers. Online courses in business administration include:

• Human Behavior in Organizations     
• Global and International Business     
• Entrepreneurship-New Venture Analysis
• Management Information Systems   
• Operations and Supply Chain Management 
• Managerial Marketing

The online curriculum consists of 10 courses, and students must complete two courses each semester for five consecutive semesters. Like most top MBA programs, students practice team-based learning and gain real-world experience as they focus on applying their knowledge and skills in business. 

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the AACSB-accredited online MBA from Georgia Southern University as one of the best in the country. Successful applicants must meet a minimum undergraduate GPA requirement.

Pros:

• Affordable tuition
• High student satisfaction

Cons:

• Minimal distance education training for instructors

Key Faculty:

• Andrea Sheetz (Accounting)
• Charles Marvill (Management)
• Kwabena Boakye (Enterprise Systems and Analytics)

#3. Adams State University 

Alamosa, CO

Online MBA

Website
Points: 15

Graduate Tuition: $7,704

A public university, Adams State University offers an online Master of Business Administration with no GMAT requirement. This program focuses on preparing students to shape business decisions with skills like analytics and data storytelling.

Students can focus on specific business disciplines to customize their degrees and fit their career goals. These include:

• Finance
• Health Administration
• Leadership
• Public Administration
• Sport Leadership

Students increase their ability to find business solutions, think strategically, and lead teams. They also learn to combine information across disciplines and from differing perspectives so that they can apply strategic, innovative, and sustainable approaches to business practice and planning.

Standardized tests like GMAT/GRE scores are not required, but students might have to meet a minimum undergraduate GPA.

Pros:

• Career-focused curriculum
• Interdisciplinary

Cons:

• Lesser-known business school

Key Faculty

• Zena Buser, Ph.D (Agribusiness)
• Liz Thomas Hensley, Ph.D (Marketing)

#4. Boston University

Boston, MA

Online MBA

Website

Points: 14

Graduate Tuition: $61,040

Boston University’s Questrom School of Business offers an online Master of Business Administration, one of the top online MBA programs without a GMAT requirement. The innovative curriculum focuses on 21st-century business themes and issues.

It is designed to help students take one module a semester and build on it before moving to the next one. Core courses include: 

• Creating Value for Business and Society       
• Managing Performance with Data
• Leading with Integrity
• Managing Risk
• Leveraging Global Opportunities
• Fostering an Innovative Mindset

The rigorous and engaging curriculum helps students develop business skills and advance the critical capabilities they need to make management decisions in a complex global business environment.

Pros:

• Contemporary curriculum
• Top-rated business school

Cons:

• High tuition

Key Faculty

• Michelle Ehrenreich (Marketing)
• Paul Hutchinson (Management and Organizations)

#5. Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, TN

Accredited Online MBA

Website

Points: 14

Graduate Tuition: $21,240

Trevecca Nazarene University’s Skinner School of Business offers an online Master of Business Administration without a standardized test requirement. It ranks among the top programs offering an MBA in project management.

The program is focused on preparing a diverse and energetic community of business professionals who can provide innovative solutions to tackle business challenges. In addition to prerequisite courses, core courses include:

• Foundations for Graduate Business Studies
• Introduction to Graduate Business Studies
• Organizational Behavior and Leadership
• Accounting and Finance for Managers
• Global and Economic Environment

Students studying business administration are empowered to transform global business and build deep connections in business. They can choose the accelerated option to graduate in as few as 15 months. No GMAT or GRE score is required, but a minimum undergraduate GPA may apply.

Pros:

• Accelerated format (15 months)
• No test scores required
• Strong alumni component

Cons:

• Less reputable business school

Key Faculty

• Phil Rickard (Public Administration)
• James Agee, Ph.D. (Business Administration)

#6. Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY

No GMAT Online MBA

Website

Points: 14

Graduate Tuition: $16,170

Northern Kentucky University offers an online Master of Business Administration (MBA). Designed around 5-week courses, it equips graduates for success in the workplace.

Students enjoy a flexible program structure and get to choose from various concentration areas that emphasize the most in-demand topics in the marketplace. Online MBA students can choose two concentration areas to specialize in: high-interest and topical business. These include:

• Leadership & Organizational Change
• Innovation with Competitive Intelligence
• Health Care Administration
• Human Resource Management
• Global Supply Chain Management

Students learn from professors with real-world experience. GMAT and GRE scores are not required, and financial aid is available. A minimum undergraduate GPA must be met.

Pros:

• AACSB-accredited
• Dual concentrations

Cons:

• Lower student satisfaction
• Slow instructor responsiveness

Key Faculty

• Dr. J.C. “Duke” Thompson (Economics and Finance)
• Dr. Chad Greenfield (Accounting)
• Dr. Denise Luethge (International Strategy)

#7. Liberty University 

Lynchburg, VA

Accredited Online MBA

Website

Points: 13

Graduate Tuition: $7,740

Liberty University offers an online Master of Business Administration that does not require test scores. The curriculum helps students develop critical thinking, leadership, and management skills. The business administration program focuses on expanding their professional business knowledge and training.

Online MBA students are required to choose a specialization from options like: 

• American Legal Studies
• Criminal Justice Administration
• International Legal Studies
• Nonprofit Leadership and Management
• Supply Chain Management and Logistics

These specializations allow them to concentrate on particular business world areas and align with their passions and career goals. Students learn the core aspects of business and get the specialized training they need for various career opportunities worldwide. 

No GMAT or GRE score is required, but there may be a minimum undergraduate GPA requirement.

Pros:

• In-demand concentrations
• Affordable tuition
• No test scores required

Cons:

• Less reputable business school

 #8. Southern New Hampshire University 

Manchester, NH

Online MBA

Website
Points: 13

Graduate Tuition: $9,555

Southern New Hampshire University offers an online Master of Business Administration. The program helps students become resourceful and effective leaders. Students get the chance to earn industry-recognized business credentials with each course. Business administration concentration options include:

• Business Analytics
• Engineering Management
• Project Management
• Information Technology Management
• Operations & Supply Chain Management
• Sustainability & Environmental Compliance
• Healthcare Administration

SNHU graduates use leadership traits like emotional intelligence, initiative, and originality. Their ability to make data-driven, innovative decisions for their organizations gives them a competitive advantage to get positive organizational results and obtain leadership positions.

Standardized test scores like GMAT/GRE scores are not required for admission, but applicants may be asked for their undergraduate GPA from a bachelor’s degree program.

Pros:

• Numerous specializations
• No standardized test scores required

Cons:

• Less reputable business school

Key Faculty

• Dr. Jennifer Teague (Executive Business)

#9. University of Illinois-Chicago

Chicago, IL

Online MBA

Website
Points: 13

Graduate Tuition: $36,018

The University of Illinois Chicago offers an online Master of Business Administration that students can earn in as few as 14 months without test scores. 14 months is an accelerated format, which we explain here. They learn to apply classroom theory to real-world challenges and ensure they can apply what they learn in their work immediately.

Students can tailor the rigorous curriculum by choosing from one of the high-demand business administration concentrations to match their career goals. These are:

• Business Analytics
• Finance
• Human Resource Management
• Management

Taught by world-class faculty, the accredited online MBA program helps students gain a competitive advantage in the job market. The master’s degree program emphasizes academic performance through a minimum undergraduate GPA and recommendation letters but does not require standardized test scores such as GMAT or GRE scores.

Pros:

• Accelerated format (14 months)
• No standardized test scores required

Cons:

• Less reputable business school

Key Faculty:

• Liden, Robert C. (Managerial Studies)
• Liotine, Matt (Supply Chain and Operations Management)
• DeBerry-Spence, Benét (Marketing)

#10. Regent University

Virginia Beach, VA

Online MBA

Website
Points: 12
Tuition per Semester: $4,170

A regionally accredited business school, Regent University offers an online Master of Business Administration. It is designed for modern-day professionals and prepares them to make ethical decisions from a Christian worldview.

Students can choose a business administration concentration to tailor their degree to their career goals. Some of these concentrations for the online MBA program are:

• Cybersecurity Management
• Finance and Investing
• Healthcare Management
• Human Resource Management
• Innovation Management
• Not-for-profit Management

Students learn data-driven approaches to problem-solving and explore business areas. These prepare them to operate in a global and rapidly changing environment.

No standardized test scores such as GMAT/GRE scores are required for this online MBA degree program, but letters of recommendation and undergraduate transcripts may be required.

This program is one of two offering a specialization in healthcare management.

Pros:

• Numerous concentration options
• Comprehensive curriculum
• No standardized test score requirement

Cons:

• Longer time to completion
• Minimal student support

Key Faculty:

• Kathleen A. Patterson, Ph.D. (Strategic Leadership)
• John E. Mulford, Jr., Ph.D. (Entrepreneurship)
• Bruce E. Winston, Ph.D. (Organizational Leadership)

More About Top 10 Online MBAs with No GMAT Scores Requirement

What do online MBA programs with no GMAT requirements mean?

When you come across any school website that offers an affordable online MBA without GMAT score requirements, it means they have an admissions process that will consider students even without those test scores. Many business schools are now waiving the test score requirements for their future students.

Instead, a student’s GPA reflects past academic activity; their performance in the MBA class can show teachers and counselors the level of their interpersonal and networking skills and state whether they can become effective business managers after graduation.

What are the admission requirements for online MBA programs that don’t require GMAT scores?

The list of best online MBA degree programs requiring no GMAT or GRE contains several reputable business schools in the country that make it easy for professionals to pursue a business degree. In place of a requirement to submit test scores, online MBA admissions councils ask potential candidates for:

• a relevant undergraduate degree
• professional experience
• advanced degrees
• GPA
• letters of recommendation
• essay or personal statement
• professional licensure certificate if available

A closer look at what MBA programs require instead of scores: 

Professional Experience: Professional experience shows a college of business how prepared a candidate is for the corporate world and how they handle themselves professionally. Many programs require 2-8 years of professional work experience.
Essay or Personal Statement: The essay or personal statement is the student’s chance to show why they deserve to be in the program in their own words. It is an important document scrutinized closely by colleges as it shows how students plan to ensure their success. They can use this document to clearly outline how they will use their MBA meaningfully and highlight their academic and professional accomplishments.
Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation are a standard admission requirement among these top online MBA programs because they provide more credibility for prospective graduate students.
Professional Licensure: Licensure shows that graduate students have the skills and qualifications to pass specific industry exams. Many business-related jobs require licensure and/or certification (e.g., CPA, CFA, Six Sigma). 
Advanced Degrees: Students who hold a master’s degree or doctorate in business management from a reputable business college have a high chance of early acceptance. This shows the school that they have successfully navigated the rigors of graduate school and are focused on a business career.
GPA: Many schools need a 3.0-3.5 GPA in an undergraduate degree program to waive GMAT requirements. A high GPA shows the school that prospective graduate students can easily handle challenging classes and business school’s academic rigor.

It enhances a student’s marketability as a professional. It also helps them access better job opportunities, a bigger paycheck, and a more robust professional network. Most students see the benefits of online master’s degrees sooner rather than later. The average salary for graduates from these MBA programs is typically in the six figures.

Graduate students who attend some of these top-rated business schools via distance learning gain future-ready skills that modern businesses seek. These skills include business, technical, and soft skills. Students looking to develop these skills can do so during their MBA experience. Soft skills that are in demand include empathy and team management. Business skills include:

• setting strategic goals
• managing diverse teams
• driving demand generation

Students can improve their communication and collaboration skills by participating in group projects with people from all walks of life.

Hands-on projects enable students to be a part of the real-time business world. They learn to tackle the challenges businesses face today and try to find solutions. These types of projects dive deep into different industries and sectors. Students gain a lot of business knowledge as well as exposure to faculty, peers, and an alumni network who come from different professional backgrounds.

MBA programs give graduate school students access to alumni and other networking events. These events help graduate students expand their reach in the business world, thus setting them up for success. Graduates can get into great new jobs with high salaries. They can pick up the pace of their professional development in their existing jobs and move into senior roles with higher salaries.

In short, MBA graduates can expect to be on an accelerated path into leadership. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the average starting salary for MBA grads (class of 2020) is $20,000 a year more than those with an undergraduate business degree.

An online MBA degree is not always for a cushy corporate job. Many students join a business school’s online programs to explore entrepreneurship. With an online MBA with no GMAT option, they can easily earn a degree of their choice and launch their own startups or join early-stage firms.

Employers and clients expect B-school graduates to have excellent academic, interpersonal, and leadership skills needed to solve complex business problems. And they’ll need professional experience too.

What will you learn in an online MBA degree program?

Typically, an MBA program includes courses like:

• Financial Accounting and Reporting
• Management of Digital Transformation
• Fundamentals of Finance
• Foundations of Marketing Management
• Responsible Business
• Innovative Business Strategies for Future Leaders
• Digital Innovation and Information Systems
• Leadership and Managing Organizational Change
• Managerial Economics and Corporate Strategy
• Managerial Accounting and Operations Management

For a more in-depth examination of MBA coursework, check out our article on what classes you’ll taken in an MBA program.

They can choose from MBA graduate program specializations like:

• Business Analytics
• Business Economics and Public policy
• Business, Energy, Environment, and Sustainability
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• Health Care Management
• International Business
• Marketing, Operations, Information, and Decisions
• Organizational Effectiveness
• Quantitative Finance

Distance learning students who graduate from MBA programs should choose their specialization based on the skills that would help them increase their job opportunities and improve their work performance. MBA graduates with in-demand specializations can expect higher salaries than those focusing on general MBA or less-marketable disciplines. 

The three top accrediting agencies for MBA programs are:

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

So why is accreditation important? There are thousands of business schools and online MBA programs that promise MBA degrees and great results. It is essential to select legitimate online MBA programs with no GMAT offering marketable credentials. Accreditation is a critical indicator of legitimacy. An accreditation status validates that a program meets specific quality standards and is recognized by state and federal bodies.

Graduate students can save some costs in their MBA programs by purchasing digital textbooks, though they may sometimes need to get hard-copy books. An MBA can drive graduates into better managerial roles, increasing job opportunities and higher earning potential — so that whatever cost they incur may be worth it. Even if you don’t have to worry about the GMAT, the application process for MBA programs can be intimidating. If you’re concerned, check out our guide to applying to MBA programs.

How do I choose the best online MBA programs with no GMAT scores? 

Check out the website: The website of a B-School is a great place to start research for MBA programs without a test score requirement. Information is available about the college of business accreditation and its overall ranking in the state. One can also refer to sites like CVO and US News and World Report for further validation.

Another way to ensure a school’s stature is to visit the Council of Higher Education or the Department of Education websites. Students can check to see if these organizations have the name of the educational institute listed, which will prove their credibility and standing.

Check out the accreditation status: Accreditation is crucial because it adds more weight to the MBA program credentials earned. Students can research for a college of business by regional versus national accreditations. Some employers prefer regional rankings since they are considered more rigorous, while others may look at national accreditation for the scope of employment. Education experts believe that it is easier to transfer credits to and from regionally accredited institutions.

Then there are specialized or programmatic accreditations to consider. For MBA programs, there are specific accreditations that ensure that the programs are well-recognized and accepted by all employers. If the programmatic accreditation is not listed on the council of education site, students should search individually with the program name and the institute on the website to learn more. Students should also consider the following:

• school’s admissions rate
• staff and faculty profiles
• student support system
• regional and national recognition
• placements
• graduation rate
• employment rate of its graduates

Check out the cost: Cost is an essential concern for most students. Be sure to look into the possibility of federal student aid by filling out the FAFSA paperwork. Typically, online MBA programs that don’t need GMAT scores cost less.

Moreover, they are flexible and designed for working adults who can achieve their MBA degree as they continue their day jobs. They can work and study at their own pace, thus advancing their education without curbing their earnings.

 Is an Online MBA with No GMAT Requirement Worth It?

Whether an online MBA with no GMAT is really worth it is a personal decision based on various factors. It is important to note that even top schools are starting to do away with GMAT requirements recently. Employers probably won’t care that much.

There are things that matter more, like picking a valuable MBA specialization. We recommend you consider the pros and cons and choose an affordable, accredited program that suits your needs and career goals.

Sources: 

• U.S. News and World Report
• NACE: 2020 Salary Survey
• EdSmart
• Fortune
• MBACentral