A growing number of online master of business administration (MBA) programs are dropping their GMAT requirements to streamline the admission process and attract experienced professionals.
But whether a program requires the GMAT or not shouldn't be the only factor you consider when looking for an online MBA.
Our list goes beyond just a collection of GMAT-optional programs. We use federal data to determine the net price of a degree and weigh that against factors like graduation rates and postgraduate employment to make sure a degree is worth your investment.
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Top Online MBAs That Don't Require the GMAT
How We Highlight What Schools Do Best
We analyzed each school's program to identify qualities that set it apart from others on this list, prioritizing factors like affordability, concentration options, and program length. Based on these strengths, we assigned each school a superlative category.
Since many programs share similar offerings and outcomes, our goal is to simplify your college decision-making by highlighting the features most relevant to your needs.
We verified these schools' facts in November 2025.
Why You Should Get an MBA
Learn Valuable Business Skills: Employers say skills taught through MBA programs — like strategic thinking, communication, and adaptability — are important, even amid the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).
Strengthen Your Data Proficiency: Tech skills, including data analytics, are widely incorporated into online MBA curriculums.
Extend Your Professional Network: MBA programs, even online ones, often include team-based learning opportunities, such as collaborative case studies, virtual group projects, and interactive discussion forums.
Boost Your Earning Potential: An MBA, when coupled with work experience, has been shown to increase earnings by more than 40%.
Benefits of Getting an MBA Online
According to our 2025 Online Education Trends Report:
94% of online MBA and master's students and graduates who were surveyed said they think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.
97% of the respondents said they would recommend online education to others.
More than three-quarters said an online learning environment is better than or equal to learning on campus.
How to Choose the Best Program for You
Whether a school requires GMAT scores for admission or not shouldn't be the only thing to look for when comparing MBA programs. These are some other key factors to keep in mind during your search:
Cost and Financial Aid
Master's in Business and Management, 2020
Online
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $10,995
Avg. Net Price: $8,534
On-Campus
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $21,974
Avg. Net Price: $15,428
Source: NCES PowerStats
Online MBA programs are generally more affordable than their in-person counterparts.
The latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) shows that the average annual cost for an online master's in business and management is around $11,000 without financial aid — a traditional on-campus degree sits closer to $22,000.
However, MBAs can vary widely in cost, and online programs aren't always more affordable.
For instance, the online MBA program at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Kenan-Flagler Business School has a total cost of more than $125,000 despite UNC being a public university. That's largely because Kenan-Flagler has a strong national reputation, and prestigious branding typically comes with a higher price tag.
Because MBA costs vary greatly, make sure to review each program's tuition, fees, and overall expenses. Schools typically offer cost calculators, which you can use to estimate your overall expenses based on your income information. You can also directly contact the schools' admissions offices to ask questions or get assistance.
Additionally, research financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and federal student loans. While MBA students typically don't qualify for Pell Grants, you should still fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for other forms of financial aid.
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Program Length
Typical # of Credits
36 Credits
Typical Program Length
2-3 Years
MBA programs, whether online or in-person, typically require 36 credits to complete. But the time it may take you to graduate can vary significantly depending on whether you're enrolled full time, part time, or in an accelerated program.
For instance, full-time MBA students usually graduate in two years, while part-time students can take upwards of three years.
Programmatic Accreditation
Programmatic accreditation is granted to degree programs, such as MBAs, that meet educational standards set by industry-recognized accrediting organizations. It ensures that a program's curriculum, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes meet established benchmarks.
With this in mind, checking an MBA program's accreditation status is a good way to make sure you'll get a solid education that's likely to yield a strong return on investment (ROI) after graduation.
"Accreditation for an MBA program is important, especially in the eyes of employers, because it signals that the curriculum has undergone a rigorous evaluation by the accrediting agency and it has met quality standards," said Angélica Gutiérrez, an associate professor at Loyola Marymount University.
When comparing MBA programs, look for these accreditors:
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business: The AACSB evaluates business schools as a whole on student learning, program impact, and faculty qualifications. The AACSB accredits major business schools across the world, including some of the globe's top institutions.
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs: The ACBSP is a programmatic accreditor, meaning it focuses on individual MBA programs rather than the whole business school. It emphasizes faculty and teaching prowess and also weighs student outcomes.
International Accreditation Council for Business Education: The IACBE focuses on student success and outcomes as well as a university's mission when accrediting MBA programs worldwide.
Application Requirements
You won't need to submit a GMAT score when applying to test-optional programs. However, you'll usually need to include the following with your application:
Letters of Recommendation: Schools often require 2-3 letters of recommendation from professional contacts like former employers or coworkers.
Undergraduate Degree and Transcripts: You will likely need to provide official transcripts of your undergraduate degree. Your bachelor's degree doesn't necessarily have to be in business, but if your degree isn't business-related, relevant professional experience is highly recommended.
Minimum GPA: Some schools require a minimum undergraduate GPA. For example, the University of Washington's Foster School of Business requires a minimum GPA of 3.0, but that only applies to the last 60 semester credits of a bachelor's degree.
Professional Resume: Many MBA programs require applicants to have prior work experience. For instance, The Ohio State University's online MBA for working professionals requires at least two years of relevant experience.
Personal Essays: MBA programs generally require personal essays, also called personal statements, for admission. These vary widely by school, but they usually require applicants to respond to several prompts.
Interview: Some MBA programs require an admissions interview to evaluate your communication skills, motivation, professional experience, and overall fit with the program.
Comparing these requirements between schools is key to helping ensure you're fully prepared and maximizing your chances of acceptance.
Curriculum
Since MBA programs vary widely in specializations, course offerings, experiential learning opportunities, and teaching approaches, closely evaluating these differences helps ensure that your chosen program aligns with your career goals, interests, and preferred learning style.
MBA programs mostly focus on courses such as:
Finance: Corporate finance, investment analysis, financial planning
Marketing: Strategic marketing, consumer behavior, brand management
Management: Organizational behavior, leadership development, strategic management
Accounting: Managerial accounting, financial accounting, auditing
But the traditional MBA curriculum format is changing with the times.
For instance, many business schools are now incorporating AI into their curriculum in response to increasing employer demand. Additionally, many are offering concentrations in high-demand and niche areas like supply chain management.
The format of online MBAs is also evolving, with some MBA programs offering experiential learning opportunities — sometimes leveraging technologies like virtual reality. These experiences can include mock interviews, internships, and collaborative projects with real businesses.
Student Support
Business schools often provide various student support services, such as career advising, academic tutoring, and networking opportunities.
For instance, the UNC Kenan-Flagler School of Business pairs students with personal "success advisors" who help students organize their schedules and decide which electives or concentrations to pursue.
Other programs emphasize strong peer support groups that help students network, especially in distance learning environments. The Indiana University Kelley School of Business has student leadership associations, which allow students to network within their specific areas of interest.
When choosing an MBA program, carefully comparing student support services can improve your academic experience.
Is Skipping the GMAT a Good Idea?
MBA admissions are an uncertain process, and submitting your GMAT score can affect your acceptance odds even at a test-optional program.
The GMAT is an admissions test that's used by thousands of business schools to benchmark applicant's skills in analytical reasoning, problem-solving, and data analysis. For this reason, schools often recommend submitting your GMAT score even if it isn't required, especially if you have a high score that can help you stand out from other candidates.
"Submit a score if it is strong and required," Gutiérrez said. "But if it is optional and [your scores are] not very strong, then it may be best not to submit and ensure that other parts of the application are solid."
School officials have previously told BestColleges that other elements of an application, like personal essays and professional references, take on more importance when test scores aren't submitted.
This means if you're applying without a GMAT score, it's even more important to make sure your essays clearly tell your story and your references highlight your professional strengths.
How to Strengthen Your Application Without GMAT Scores
Here's a brief overview of what you can do to bolster your application if you're not submitting a GMAT score:
Bring Strong Work Experience to the Table: MBA programs that don't require the GMAT often market themselves to working professionals. This means that, if you have years of work experience under your belt, you should emphasize that in your application. Highlight accomplishments that demonstrate leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, or career advancement.
Land Good References: The references you submit are an excellent way to back up your expertise and overall professional experience. Choose former supervisors or coworkers who can speak about your strengths and contributions to past teams.
Put Effort Into Your Essays: Your personal essays are an opportunity to stand beyond your resume. A solid admissions essay does more than just rehash your work experience. It explains why you're a good fit for that program and calls out unique experiences that make you stand out from the crowd. Check out our guide to grad school application essays for some tips.
Frequently Asked Questions About MBAs and the GMAT
Yes. Test-optional MBA programs simply don't require GMAT scores, and you don't need to meet any prerequisites to skip the test. On the other hand, schools offering GMAT waivers often require you have a minimum undergraduate GPA or a certain amount of years of professional experience.
Keep in mind that test-optional MBA programs and those offering waivers are often both called test optional, so it's important to compare their admissions requirements carefully.
