Is GRE easier than GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT? Yes. Can you target just as good universities with GRE? Also, yes. That’s right, GRE is smart people’s token to top universities and is taken by students who wish to take admission into various master’s and doctoral degree programs in different universities around the world.
Curious about the top universities accepting GRE? In this blog, we will tell you just that, let’s go!
1. Do I need GRE scores for Masters?
2. Top universities accepting GRE scores for MS, their cut-off and ranking
3. Do MBA programs accept GRE?
4. Top universities accepting GRE scores for MBA, their cut-off and ranking
5. Can you get into graduate schools without GRE?
Do I need GRE scores for Masters?
If you pursue a master’s degree in the US then yes, GRE is generally required. In other countries like the UK, Australia, Singapore, etc. GRE is either optional or not required. However, GRE is an admissions requirement for many competitive MS programs in countries like Germany, Canada, Australia, and more.
The good news is GRE requirement is waived for all the students for spring 2021, summer 2021, and spring 2022 semesters. Applicants may still continue to submit their official GRE scores for consideration, but they will not be required to do so.
Top universities accepting GRE scores for MS, their cut-off, and ranking
GRE scores are widely used to take admission into a master’s degree program. All top MS programs require GRE scores although the GRE score for MS varies for each program and university. Given below is a list of the top universities accepting GRE scores for MS, their cut-offs, QS World University Rankings, and more:
Universities |
QS Ranking |
GRE Verbal |
GRE Quant |
GRE Writing |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 1 | 155-162 | 158-162 | 4.5-5.3 |
| Stanford University | 2 | 155-160 | 155-160 | 4-4.8 |
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | 4 | 158-164 | 155-160 | 4.5-5 |
| University of Oxford | 5 | 160+ | 160+ | 4.5+ |
| University of Chicago | 9 | 155-163 | 160-167 | 4-4.5 |
| Princeton University | 12 | 159-165 | 156-165 | 4.5-5 |
| Cornell University | 18 | 160 | 159-162 | 4.5+ |
| Columbia University | 19 | 163 | 157-163 | 4.3+ |
| University of Michigan | 21 | 158-164 | 163-170 | 4-5 |
| John Hopkins University | 25 | 154-161 | 160-164 | 4.2-4.5 |
| Northwestern University | 29 | 159-162 | 158-162 | 5-5.5 |
| University of California, LA | 31 | 150-155 | 165-168 | 4.5-5 |
| University of California, Berkeley | 32 | 153-156 | 164-167 | 4-4.5 |
| Duke University | 42 | 155-162 | 158-162 | 4-4.5 |
| University of Washington | 72 | 158-162 | 158-162 | 4.5-5 |
| University of Wisconsin | 75 | 160-164 | 160-165 | 4-4.5 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | 80 | 155-160 | 160-167 | 4-4.3 |
| University of Illinois | 82 | 150-155 | 160-165 | 4-5 |
| Rice University | 89 | 155-160 | 160-168 | 4-4.5 |
| University of North Carolina | 100 | 155-160 | 158-162 | 4-4.5 |
| Ohio State University | 108 | 155-160 | 160-165 | 4-4.5 |
| University of Florida | 162 | 150-155 | 160-165 | 3-4 |
| University of Notre Dame | 210 | 160-165 | 160-165 | 5.5-6 |
| University of Virginia | 217 | 159-164 | 160-166 | 4-5 |
Have you taken the GRE before?
Do MBA programs accept GRE?
GRE scores are also used by b-schools worldwide as part of their admissions process for MBA and other graduate-level business programs. Nowadays universities are largely accepting both GMAT and GRE scores for their admission process.
With GRE General Test you can choose from numerous b-school courses including top-ranked MBA programs. However, some MBA programs may list any of the GRE subject tests as recommended or optional.
Suggested Read: How do business schools view GRE scores for MBA admission?
Top universities accepting GRE scores for MBA, Their Cut-offs, and Ranking
Some of the top universities around the world accept GRE scores for their MBA programs. In India, Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS), Indian School of Business (ISB), IIM Ahmedabad, and IIM Bangalore (for the FPM program) are some leading schools that accept GRE.
We made you a list of the top universities accepting GRE scores for MBA, their QS Global MBA Rankings, and cut-offs. (You’re welcome)
QS MBA Ranking |
Universities |
Score Range |
| 1 | Stanford Graduate School of Business | 163-168 |
| 2 | Wharton Business School | 162-167 |
| 3 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 161-166 |
| 4 | Harvard Business School | 163-168 |
| 5 | HEC Paris | 160-165 |
| 6 | INSEAD | 163-164 |
| 7 | Columbia Business School | 161-166 |
| 10 | University of California, Berkely | 162-167 |
| =11 | IESE Business School | 160-170 |
| =11 | Chicago Booth | 162-166 |
| 14 | Northwestern University (Kellogg) | 162-166 |
| =17 | University of Cambridge | 160-164 |
| =17 | Yale School of Management | 162-166 |
| 19 | New York University (NYU) | 161-166 |
| 45 | University of British Columbia | 160-165 |
| 66 | Queen’s University | 158-162 |
| 83 | University of Toronto | 160-165 |
| 119 | University of Alberta | 153-160 |
Can you get into graduate schools without GRE?
Yes, you can. GRE is not required by all graduate schools. For some universities, GRE scores are optional for getting admission into MS programs. These universities put significant consideration on your grade point average or GPA from your undergraduate degree.
GRE is however a necessity in the top colleges and competitive programs. You can still apply to top graduate schools without GRE for spring 2021, summer 2021, and spring 2022 due to the Covid outbreak.
Have questions about GRE preparation or MS and PhD admissions? We can help! Connect with our counselors for a free 15 minute consultation session to get all your questions resolved.