MBA programs with no GMAT requirement
Explore online MBA programs with no GMAT requirement. Learn how you can advance your career without the stress and time investment of standardized testing.
See all MBA programs with no GMAT requirement
Why earn an online MBA?
Advance into executive roles
Online MBA programs can prepare you to pursue management and C-suite positions.
Flexible format and schedule
Some online MBA programs are part time or accelerated, allowing you to study on the schedule that works for you.
Build leadership skills
Core courses and concentrations may equip you to lead businesses across various industries.
As a prospective master of business administration (MBA) student, you may encounter the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) as an admission requirement.
To fast-track your application, consider an online MBA with no GMAT requirement. Explore programs and enroll in an online MBA program on edX today.
Find the right MBA program for you
What are the waiver requirements for no-GMAT online MBA programs?
While many online MBA programs have dropped the GMAT requirement for admission, others allow applicants to submit equivalent requirements in lieu of the GMAT. For example, many schools allow students with a certain amount of work experience to waive the requirement.
MBA programs may also offer waivers to those with:
- A business bachelor's degree and a high GPA, often above 3.5
- Other test scores, such as the LSAT or GRE
- Professional experience in a business field
- Other graduate degrees or professional credentials, such as a certified public accountant (CPA) license
How much does a no-GMAT online MBA cost?
Applying for no-GMAT MBA programs online can help you save around $300 on the application process, not counting the reporting fees for each school you'd send your scores to. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that MBA students paid an average of about $31,300 per year in 2020.
Students often take about two years to earn an MBA degree, so enrolling in an online MBA program with no GMAT requirement may cost a total of about $62,000. However, the cost of an online MBA varies greatly depending on your school, program, and full- or part-time status.
What's the ROI of an online MBA program?
When evaluating the return on investment (ROI) for an , compare the program's cost and time commitment with jobs you can pursue once you graduate and their salary ranges.
Evaluate these factors to get an approximation of the ROI of an online MBA program:
| Factor | Investment/Return |
|---|---|
| Average tuition and fees paid for online master's degrees in business, management, and marketing in 2020 | $62,000 |
| Average length of online MBA programs | Two years |
| Median annual salary for management roles in 2024 | $122,090 |
| Management job outlook, 2023-33 | 1.2 million new job openings annually |
Types of MBA programs
MBA programs aim to enhance students' leadership and strategic decision-making skills to tackle complex business challenges across industries.
MBA core courses offer advanced knowledge in many topics. Find some below, with links to edX courses on each topic:
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Some business schools offer concentrations that help students align their experiences, strengths, and interests with their career goals.
Take a look at some of the types of MBA programs you may find, with job title information from O*NET:
Gain expertise in navigating complex financial environments across industries — such as banking, corporations, and the public sector — through an MBA program with a concentration in finance.
Students dive into financial analysis and reporting, managerial accounting, macrofinance (financial markets and international financial systems), and microfinance (corporations and investments).
- Common job titles: accounting supervisor, finance analyst, financial reporting manager, and chief financial officer (CFO).
Develop specialized marketing skills — including consumer behavior analysis, strategic planning, and digital marketing — through an MBA in marketing program.
These programs focus on building expertise in brand management, market research, competitor analysis, and product development to drive customer engagement that leads to business growth.
- Common job titles: brand manager, business development director, digital marketing manager, and market research analyst.
MBA in business analytics
Learn how to gather and interpret data into actionable business strategies through an MBA in business analytics program.
Students develop skills in data analysis, predictive modeling, and statistical methods to optimize operations, products, or services. You can gain proficiency in high-demand skills like data mining and data visualization to interpret complex data sets and provide insights for optimizing business operations.
- Common job titles: business intelligence analyst, data analyst, market intelligence analyst, and strategic business and technology intelligence consultant.
Hone the advanced skills needed to launch a new venture or scale businesses by enrolling in an MBA in entrepreneurship program.
This concentration helps students develop skills in business plan development, effective communication, leadership, and forecasting. Courses typically cover essential topics like new venture creation, financial management, entrepreneurial strategy, and innovation management.
- Common job titles: entrepreneur, business development manager, general manager, and operations director.
What jobs can you get with an online MBA?
Earning an online MBA from an accredited school can equip professionals with the skills and credentials needed to stand out for management roles. The program's flexibility can help graduates enter high-paying, diverse industries like finance, healthcare, and STEM fields.
In terms of unique career advancement opportunities, online MBA graduates often access senior leadership and C-suite roles like chief executive officer (CEO), chief operations officer (COO), or CFO, where they can influence strategic direction for businesses or organizations.
These positions often pay higher-than-average salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), chief executives — like CEOs, CFOs, and COOs — earned a median annual salary of $206,420 in 2024.
Career outlook and salary expectations for MBA graduates
The BLS projects a strong job market for MBA graduates, with faster-than-average growth for all management occupations from 2023 to 2033, with 1.2 million yearly new job openings.
MBA graduates can also earn higher-than-average wages. Management roles earned a median annual salary of $122,090 in May 2024, significantly higher than the $48,060 median annual salary across all occupations.
Consider common MBA career paths, with median salary data from the BLS:
| MBA jobs | Median annual salary in 2024 |
|---|---|
| Administrative services and facilities managers | $106,880 |
| Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers | $159,660 |
| Human resources managers | $140,030 |
| Medical and health services managers | $117,960 |
| Top executives | $105,350 |
Frequently asked questions
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Last updated August 5, 2025