List of Universities in USA without GRE for Masters in 2025

International students planning to study for a Master's in the USA usually have to submit either GRE or GMAT scores. However, some universities such as  Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of California, Berkeley, University of Illinois at Urban-Chanmpaign, and University of Southern California(USC), waive the GRE requirement and consider other factors like work experience or high GPAs for admission.

The GRE, Graduate Record Examination, is a standardized entrance test required for graduate admission to universities in the USA, Canada, and other countries. Clearing the GRE test can be challenging due to various factors such as approaching application deadlines, difficulty in achieving expected scores, and difficulty in affording the application fee. Whatever the reason might be, there are solutions available. Many US universities offer GRE waivers to international students, easing their burdens and enabling them to concentrate on improving their application profiles.

If you are looking to study MS in USA without GRE requirement, then it’s important to filter list of universities in USA without GRE, its specific related courses, eligibility criteria, and so on. This article has covered everything about GRE waiver universities in USA for 2025. Let’s get started!

Top Universities in USA without GRE for Masters

The United States of America (USA) is home to the most prestigious universities in the world. Generally, many aspirants feel that the GRE is compulsory for MS in the USA. However, they may be surprised to learn that there are some universities that offer an MS in the USA without GRE scores for graduate study applications. In the below table, we gave in detail of few GRE waiver universities in USA for studying master's programs:

S.No	University Name	GRE Waiver Courses Offered	Tuition fee per year in INR	Location
1	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	MS in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science MS in Aeronautics and Astronautics, MS in Computational Science and Engineering	₹33.2 lakhs to ₹37.4 lakhs	Cambridge, Massachusetts
2	University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)	MS in Information and Data Science (MIDS)	₹12.5 lakhs	Berkeley
3	University of Illinois at Urban-Champaign	MS in Computer Science	₹31.38 Lakh	Champaign, Illinois
4	University of Southern California(USC)	MS in Computer Science MS in Electrical Engineering	₹19.2 lakhs	Los Angeles, California
5	University of Arizona	MS in Computer Science	₹28.5 lakhs	Tucson, Arizona
6	Purdue University	MS computer science MS Electrical & Computer Engineering MS Environmental & Ecological Engineering MS Ecological Sciences and Engineering	₹16.6 lakhs to ₹25 lakhs	West Lafayette, Indiana
7	Stevens Institute of Technology	MS in Computer Science MS in Information Systems	₹32 lakhs to ₹48 lakhs	Hoboken, New Jersey
8	California State University	MS Civil Engineering MS Mechanical Engineering MS Chemistry	₹10 lakhs to 12.4 lakhs	Sacramento, California
9	The University of Dayton	MS Civil Engineering MS Mechanical Engineering MS Computer Engineering MS Electrical Engineering MS Renewable and Clean Energ MS Aerospace Engineering MS Chemical Engineering	₹35lakhs to ₹36.6 lakhs	Dayton, Ohio
10	Boston University	MS Artificial Intelligence MS Computer Information Systems MS Applied Data Analytics MS Bioinformatics MS Robotics and Autonomous Systems	₹40 lakhs to ₹48 lakhs	Boston, Massachusetts
11	Wichita State University	MS Aerospace Engineering MS Computer Networking MS Computer Science, MS Biological Sciences	₹10lakhs to ₹11.64 lakhs	Wichita, Kansas
12	University of Bridgeport	MS Computer Science MS Biomedical Engineering MS Computer Engineering MS Electrical Engineering MS Mechanical Engineering	₹16 lakhs to ₹23 lakhs	Bridgeport, Connecticut
13	Northeastern University	MS Computer Science MS Computer Systems Engineering MS Industrial Engineering MS Data Analytics Engineering MS Civil Engineering MS Environmental Engineering MS Chemical Engineering	₹40 lakhs to ₹44 lakhs	Boston, Massachusettes
14	University of North Texas	MS in Data Science	₹18 lakhs to ₹30 lakhs	Denton, Texas
15	University of Cincinnati	MS in Computer Science	₹20 lakhs to ₹22 lakhs	Cincinnati, Ohio
16	Oklahoma City University	MS Computer Science	₹8.32 lakhs to ₹10 lakhs	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
17	San Jose State University (SJSU)	MS in Data Analytics MS in Civil Engineering MS in Aerospace Engineering	₹12 lakhs to ₹13.3 lakhs	San Jose, California
18	George Mason University	MS Civil & Infrastructure Engineering MS Health Informatics MS Data Analytics Engineering MS Applied and Engineering Physics	₹16.6 lakhs to ₹23 lakhs	Fairfax, Virginia
19	New Mexico State University	MS Computer Science MS Industrial Engineering	₹15 lakhs to ₹16.6 lakhs	Las Cruces, New Mexico

The GRE waiver conditions vary depending on the university and program. Continue reading to explore more details about these non GRE universities in the USA.

Is GRE mandatory for MS in USA?

No, GRE exam is not mandatory for MS in the USA but most of the top universities require it. Moreover, it is generally preferred as an extra add-on to make your profile stand out among other applicants. 

It is possible to study MS in USA without GRE as many US universities provide a conditional GRE waiver, which means, a student’s GRE requirement is waived under certain circumstances. They are as follows:

• High GPA, i.e. GPA of 3.0 & above.
• An additional graduate degree
• Professional work experience, particularly in their relevant field.

One of the prominent University examples of GRE waiver in USA is the University of Illinois and Purdue University which allows students to apply for professional master’s programs with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher without the need of their GRE scores.

Apart from the US universities, the world’s leading institutions like the University of Cambridge, Nanyang Technological University, and ETH Zurich (Switzerland) do not require the GRE for admission to many programs.

List of GRE Waived Off Universities in the USA

Here is the list of more US universities that have waived off GRE in 2025:

• State University of New York at New Paltz
• University of Pittsburgh
• Saint Peter’s University
• Virginia State University
• Long Island University
• St. John’s University
• University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Jacksonville State University
• Concordia University Chicago
• Florida International University
• Washington State University
• University of Central Missouri
• Villanova University
• Rivier University
• University of Kansas
• University of Nebraska, Lincoln
• University of Maryland, Baltimore
• Sacred Heart University
• James Madison University
• University of Michigan

Students can join master's programs at the above-listed universities in different intakes in USA. Most universities that offer GRE waivers ask for alternative tests like GMAT. Hence, it is essential to know the requirements beforehand. Let’s look into it!

Alternative exams to GRE for admission to USA universities

GRE is marked as a standardized test for admission to graduate schools, regardless of the studies individuals expect to undertake. However, it is widely acknowledged that a single test cannot assess your potential for success in a graduate degree. Consequently, numerous universities have started recognizing the need for alternatives. So, in many universities, the GRE exam is substituted  by more relevant examinations like:

• LSAT for Law School Programs
• GMAT scores for admission to Management programs
• MCAT for prospective medical programs

Before selecting the exam, make sure you check the concerned university requirements to see which exam is needed for admission.

Now, let’s see what are the documents required to study in USA without GRE.

Documents Required to study in USA without GRE 

While the GRE is not required for admission to most US universities, there are still essential exams and requirements you need to fulfill. To study in USA without GRE requirement, you typically need to submit the following documents as well:

• Transcripts of Bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or above.
• Scores of English Language Proficiency tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE.
• Statement of Purpose (SOP) highlighting your academic and professional background
• 2-3 Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from professors or employers.
• CV/Resume, Writing sample, or Research paper (if required) and application fee payment.

Some American universities may also call you for an interview, and some may have additional or alternative criteria for GRE waivers, like significant work experience, or a degree from an English-speaking country, etc. Hence it is important to research the specific requirements of your desired university.

How to apply for USA universities without GRE?

To apply for non GRE universities in the USA, follow these steps:

1. Research universities that do not require GRE and also check for the program-specific requirements.
2. Look for alternative tests or waivers as some universities may accept alternative tests like GMAT or offer waivers based on criteria like academic performance, experience, etc.
3. Start preparation for other application documents like SOP, LOR, etc.
4. Verify the current admission standards for the programs you are interested in.
5. Visit official university websites or contact admission offices directly for up-to-date information regarding their GRE policies and any alternative requirements.
6. Explore financial aid options available for US university students, even for GRE-free graduate programs.

By following the above steps, you can successfully apply for admission to USA universities without a GRE.

Study in USA: Related Reads

Planning to move to USA for higher studies? Check out: 

• How is the student life in the USA?
• Cost of living in the USA
• Cost of Studying in USA
• Scholarships for Indian students in USA
• How will be the student accommodation in USA?

When is the right time to apply for MS in the USA without a GRE: Fall or Spring?

The Fall intake is the most popular one for MS programs in the USA, with the Spring intake having fewer international students. Some universities also offer summer intakes from May to August for international students. The ideal time to apply for an MS in the USA without GRE requirement is around 15 months before the desired intake, typically starting from May or June of the previous year. 

Most universities in the USA set deadlines for fall intake around mid-December, but be alert, as some may have as early as January or March, or even have rolling admissions (throughout the year). But deadlines for  Spring intake are a bit earlier, between September and November. So, if you are aiming for Fall 2025, start applying for applications after October 2024, and to target for Spring 2025, start after 2024. Remember, submitting a well-prepared application early is crucial for maximizing your chances for admission to universities in USA without GRE prerequisites. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I go to USA without GRE for MS?

Yes, it is possible to study MS in USA without a GRE prerequisite. Recently, more universities have started discarding their GRE requirements, instead, they ask for other conditions to enter graduate degrees. Some of the general conditions include a good academic record, work experience, and English language test scores, which need to be submitted to meet the admission requirements.

2. Can you get USA study visa without GRE?

Yes, Immigration authorities will allow you a student visa without GRE considering you have an admission offer from the concerned university or you have opted for English proficiency tests.

3. What does GRE waiver mean?

A GRE waiver is said to be an exception for students who couldn’t or did not want to clear the GRE exam to join graduate school abroad. Certain universities in the USA offer alternate entry requirements to make sure that students from diverse backgrounds and skills join the program.

4. Is GRE waived off for 2025?

Most universities in the United States are waiving the requirements of GRE and GMAT for fall 2025 admissions. This means you can apply to graduate programs without taking these standardized tests that are expensive and time consuming to prepare for.

5. What are the conditions for GRE Waiver in the USA?

The universities that offer admission without GRE have certain conditions to avail of the option. Students must fulfill the conditions laid by each university to be eligible for a GRE waiver. Given below are the general GRE waiver conditions:

• Excellent Academic performance
• Strong Letter of Recommendations, your portfolio, and writing sample.
• Work experience, and your performance in the interview (if any).
• Scores of subject-specific tests or alternate tests like LSAT, and GMAT. etc. The most frequently opted test is the GMAT.

6. Which universities offer PhD in USA without GRE?

The list of some of the American universities that have started to waive the GRE requirement for PhD applicants to ease the application process for international students include:

• California State University
• George Mason University
• University of Cincinnati
• Boston University
• Stanford University
• Florida International University
• James Madison University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

7. Are there any financial aids available to students applying to US universities without GRE?

Yes, the GRE test is especially for graduate students, not undergraduates. Hence, there are many financial aid alternatives available for students of US universities even for GRE-free graduate programs. Here are a few common sources of assistance offered by universities without GRE in USA:

• Merit-based scholarships
• Need-based Financial aid
• Private Scholarships
• Institutional grants
• Fellowships and Assistantships
• Federal Student loans
• Employer Tuition Assistance

These financial help availability and conditions vary by university and program. Regulations of financial aid programs are subject to change, hence we suggest you stay connected with the concerned university’s financial aid office.

8. Which Universities are waiving off GRE and GMAT for fall 2025? 

The list of universities that has announced GRE  and GMAT waiver for fall 2025 admissions are as follows:

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Stanford University
• University of MichiganTexas 
• A& M University
• University of California
• Los AngelesUniversity of Louisville
• California State University 
• Long BeachUniversity of Wisconson- Madison
• University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign (UIUC)
  
  

9. Which Universities are waiving off GRE and GMAT for upcoming Spring 2025?

The list of universities that has announced GRE  and GMAT waiver for upcoming spring 2025 admissions are as follows:

• University of Arizona
• Rice University
• University of Wisconson- Milwaukee
• Florida State University
• New York Institute of Technology
• Northeastern University
• University of Illinois, Springfield
• University of Pacific