Business Schools Accepting GRE Score

In recent years, the landscape of graduate business education has undergone significant shifts, particularly in the way business schools evaluate applicants. Traditionally, the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) was the cornerstone for admissions into MBA programs, with most top business schools requiring it as part of their application process. However, in an effort to become more inclusive and attract a broader range of candidates, many prestigious business schools in the United States have begun accepting the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as an alternative to the GMAT for admissions into their MBA and Executive MBA (EMBA) programs. This shift has been motivated by the recognition that a candidate’s potential to succeed in business school cannot be solely determined by one standardized test score. The GRE’s more general focus on reasoning and analytical skills—rather than the specific business focus of the GMAT—has made it a more versatile test, providing applicants from diverse academic backgrounds the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities.

Among the top business schools in the U.S., Harvard Business School has embraced this flexibility in its admissions process. Harvard’s renowned HBS 2+2 Program, an innovative initiative designed for college juniors, allows students to gain two years of professional work experience before entering the Harvard MBA program. This program, which is highly competitive, accepts either the GMAT or the GRE as part of the application process, giving applicants a broader range of options for showcasing their skills. The flexibility in standardized testing reflects the growing understanding among top institutions that admissions decisions should not be based solely on the results of a single test, but rather on a comprehensive evaluation of a candidate’s academic and professional potential. By accepting both the GMAT and the GRE, Harvard Business School ensures that applicants from diverse academic backgrounds, including those with a strong foundation in the sciences, engineering, or humanities, are not discouraged from applying due to the focus of the GMAT on business-specific concepts. The decision to allow either test aligns with Harvard's broader commitment to creating a diverse and talented cohort of MBA candidates who can bring unique perspectives and skills to the business world.

Similarly, Yale School of Management has opened the door to GRE scores as a valid form of admission into its MBA program. Yale’s commitment to inclusivity in its admissions process is exemplified by its acceptance of both the GMAT and GRE. As one of the world’s top business schools, Yale is selective in its admissions, requiring applicants to hold a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (or the international equivalent) and take either the GMAT or the GRE. The GRE’s more general academic focus allows applicants from a wide range of academic disciplines, including the humanities and sciences, to apply to Yale without feeling that they need to tailor their preparation solely to the GMAT’s business-focused content. By accepting the GRE, Yale School of Management acknowledges that an applicant’s ability to succeed in an MBA program cannot always be measured by a business-specific exam, and that potential candidates bring a wide variety of skills and experiences that extend beyond what is captured by the GMAT.

MIT Sloan School of Management, another leader in business education, also accepts the GRE as a valid alternative to the GMAT. MIT Sloan’s decision to allow GRE scores reflects the evolving nature of business education and the growing recognition that success in an MBA program requires a range of skills that go beyond the GMAT’s focus on business acumen and quantitative reasoning. While the GMAT is typically designed to evaluate an applicant’s readiness for business school, the GRE offers a broader test of an applicant’s general analytical and reasoning abilities, which can also be crucial for success in business. MIT Sloan’s approach allows students from various academic disciplines, including non-business fields such as engineering or social sciences, to apply without the need to first prepare for a specialized test like the GMAT. Moreover, MIT Sloan uses the verbal sections of both the GMAT and GRE to evaluate applicants’ English language proficiency, reinforcing the school’s focus on language skills as an important part of business communication.

New York University Stern School of Business, known for its diverse and dynamic MBA programs, also accepts the GRE for both full-time and part-time MBA applicants. Stern’s decision to accept the GRE reflects the school’s desire to appeal to a wider range of potential candidates, including those from non-business backgrounds. Many applicants with strong academic records in areas such as engineering, sciences, and the arts may find the GRE a more suitable test for demonstrating their analytical abilities and readiness for an MBA program. By accepting the GRE, Stern also signals its commitment to fostering a diverse student body, with students coming from a range of disciplines and perspectives, which in turn enriches classroom discussions and group projects. The GRE’s flexibility allows applicants from all kinds of professional backgrounds to apply to Stern without feeling constrained by the GMAT’s more business-focused approach. Furthermore, for candidates who may not perform well on the GMAT but have demonstrated leadership potential in their professional careers or academic achievements, the GRE provides an alternative route to admission.

The University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business has followed a similar path by accepting the GRE as an alternative to the GMAT for MBA admissions. Darden’s Full-time MBA program, as well as its MBA for Executives and Executive Education programs, all accept the GRE as part of the admissions process. Darden’s decision to expand its admissions flexibility by allowing the GRE highlights the school’s commitment to recognizing the full range of an applicant’s qualifications. As with other top business schools, Darden understands that academic potential and professional success cannot be solely measured by standardized test scores. For applicants from non-business disciplines, such as the humanities or sciences, the GRE can serve as a more appropriate measure of intellectual ability and problem-solving skills. Darden’s acceptance of the GRE reflects its commitment to diversity in its student body and acknowledges the different ways in which prospective MBA students may excel.

At the University of Evansville, the Executive MBA program also offers flexibility by considering both GMAT and GRE scores at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. This level of flexibility is beneficial for applicants who may have alternative qualifications, such as significant professional experience, but lack the typical test scores usually required for admission to an Executive MBA program. The option to submit either the GMAT or the GRE allows applicants to demonstrate their academic readiness for graduate business studies in the way that best aligns with their strengths and experiences. The University of Evansville’s approach to admissions reflects a broader trend in the higher education landscape, where many institutions are becoming less reliant on standardized tests and focusing more on the overall profile of the applicant.

The University of Redlands, with its flexible approach to MBA admissions, considers all aspects of an applicant’s application, including life and work experiences, interviews, and letters of recommendation. While the school does not have a strict GRE or GMAT requirement, it evaluates the entire application package to determine a candidate’s potential for success in its graduate business programs. The decision not to place a strong emphasis on standardized test scores allows applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds to be considered for admission based on a broader range of factors.

Lastly, DeVry University offers both the GRE and GMAT as acceptable options for graduate business program admissions. DeVry’s decision to accept either test provides students with a degree of flexibility in the application process, allowing them to choose the exam that best suits their strengths and academic background. While the GMAT is still more commonly associated with business schools, DeVry’s acceptance of both the GRE and GMAT reflects a growing trend among business schools to embrace multiple ways of evaluating candidates for their graduate programs.

The growing acceptance of the GRE in top U.S. business schools is part of a larger trend toward creating more inclusive and diverse MBA cohorts. This shift acknowledges that a standardized test score, while useful, is not the only indicator of a candidate’s potential for success in graduate business education. By accepting both the GMAT and the GRE, top business schools such as Harvard, MIT, Yale, and New York University provide applicants from a variety of academic backgrounds the opportunity to demonstrate their qualifications and abilities in a way that best suits their individual strengths. This increased flexibility in the admissions process benefits applicants by reducing barriers to entry and providing more opportunities for talented individuals to pursue graduate business education, regardless of their test-taking abilities or academic history. As more schools continue to embrace this flexibility, the future of business school admissions looks set to become even more inclusive and diverse.

List of other business schools accepting GRE Score:

• Adams State College
• Adelphi University
• Alaska Pacific University
• Alliant International University
• Alvernia University
• American Jewish University
• Antioch University New England
• Arcadia University
• Augsburg College
• Azusa Pacific University
• Baldwin Wallace College
• Barry University
• Bay Path College
• Belhaven College
• Bob Jones University
• Brenau University
• Brescia University
• California Baptist University
• California State University - Chico
• California State University - Stanislaus
• Campbellsville University
• Capital University
• Capitol College
• Christian Brothers University
• City University of Seattle
• Claremont Graduate University
• Clark University
• Clarkson University
• Clemson University
• Cleveland State University
• College of Mount Saint Vincent
• College of St. Scholastica
• Colorado Christian University
• Colorado State University - Ft Collins
• Concordia University - Portland
• Cumberland University
• Dominican University of California
• Drury University
• Everglades University
• Fairmont State University
• Ferris State University
• Fitchburg State College
• Florida Atlantic University
• Florida Institute of Technology
• Florida International University
• Florida Southern College
• Florida State University
• Fresno Pacific University
• Frostburg State University
• Gardner-Webb University
• Geneva College
• Georgia Southern University
• Georgia Southwestern State University
• Goldey Beacom College
• Hofstra University
• Humboldt State University
• Indiana Institute of Technology
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania
• Jacksonville University
• John Brown University
• Johns Hopkins University
• Johnson & Wales University
• Kansas Wesleyan University
• Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
• Laboratory Institute of Merchandising
• La Sierra University
• Loma Linda University
• Louisiana State University Shreveport
• Malone College
• Medaille College
• Mercyhurst College
• Mesa State College
• Missouri Southern State University
• Monmouth University
• Morehead State University
• Morgan State University
• Murray State University
• National University - California
• Naval Postgraduate School
• Northern Kentucky University
• North Park University
• Northwest Christian College
• Northwest Missouri State University
• Northwood University
• Nova Southeastern University
• Oklahoma Christian University
• Oklahoma City University
• Oral Roberts University
• Oregon State University
• Our Lady of the Lake University - San Antonio
• Pacific Lutheran University
• Pacific States University
• Park University
• Pfeiffer University
• Piedmont College - Demorest
• Point Park University
• Purdue University - Main Campus
• Regent University
• Rice University (EMBA)
• Rochester Institute of Technology
• Rollins College
• Rowan University - Glassboro
• Rutgers University - New Brunswick (EMBA)
• Saint Peters College
• Salve Regina University
• Savannah State University
• Shenandoah University
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale
• Southern Utah University
• Southern Wesleyan University
• Southwest Minnesota State University
• Southwestern Adventist University
• St Ambrose University
• St Edwards University
• St Thomas University
• Stanford Business School
• Stevens Institute of Technology
• Strayer Education, Inc.
• Sul Ross State University
• SUNY at Stony Brook
• Tarleton State University - Stephenville
• Texas A&M International University
• Texas A&M University - Commerce
• Troy University - Troy
• Troy University - Atlantic Region
• Troy University - Dothan
• Troy University - Montgomery
• Troy University - Phenix City
• University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa
• University of Alabama at Birmingham
• University of Alaska - Fairbanks
• University of Arkansas - Fayetteville
• University of Central Florida
• University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
• University of Colorado at Denver
• University of Dallas
• University of Denver
• University of Findlay
• University of Florida
• University of Houston - Victoria
• University of Louisiana - Monroe
• University of Louisville
• University of Memphis
• University of New Hampshire
• University of New Mexico
• University of North Alabama
• University of North Texas
• University of Oregon (EMBA)
• University of Rhode Island
• University of South Carolina
• University of Tampa
• University of Texas at San Antonio
• University of Texas at Brownsville
• University of Texas at Dallas
• University of the Incarnate Word
• University of Utah
• University of Vermont
• University of West Florida
• University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
• University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
• University of Wisconsin - Madison
• University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
• University of Wyoming
• Upper Iowa University
• Utah State University
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Wayland Baptist University
• Webster University
• Wesleyan College - Georgia
• West Texas A&M University
• Western New England College
• Widener University
• Willamette University
• Wingate University
• York College of Penn