Nearly two years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., many business schools have maintained their flexible testing policies. While flexibility has become a trend across all business schools, online MBA programs are far less reliant on test scores because eliminating the GMAT or GRE requirement helps to increase applicant demand, explains Esther Magna, a principal MBA admissions consultant at Stacy Blackman, an MBA admissions consulting company.

“Online MBA programs have always had high admit rates relative to traditional programs,” Magna says. “The expectations with respect to academic stats, including GPA, career path, and leadership, are much more flexible at online MBA programs, and that’s reflected in their generous acceptance rates.”

Because online MBA programs don’t usually have the physical space constraints of a classroom, they are able to admit more students. What’s more, most students will likely continue working full-time while enrolled, so they may not have the time to prepare for the GMAT or GRE exams—and work experience for applicants may be enough to show they are ready to handle their coursework.

If you want to pursue your MBA the virtual way and wish to skip test taking altogether, check out the following list of 10 top-ranked online MBA programs that don’t require submission of a GMAT or GRE score. 

1. Syracuse University (Whitman)

Fortune MBA program rank: No. 8

Test policy: Syracuse University (Whitman) doesn’t require a GMAT or GRE score for online MBA applicants who have at least three years of professional work experience.

Average GMAT score (for students who submitted): 589

Average GPA: 3.1

Acceptance rate: 84% 

2. Pepperdine University Pepperdine Graziadio Business School

Fortune MBA program rank: No. 13

Test policy: Pepperdine University’s Pepperdine Graziadio Business School doesn’t require GMAT or GRE scores to apply to its online MBA program, which is designed for business professionals with two or more years of relevant career experience.

Average GMAT score (for students who submitted): 510

Average GPA: 3.1

Acceptance rate: 70.48%

3. George Washington University

Fortune MBA program rank: No. 14

Test policy: While a GMAT or GRE score is required as part of the application process for the online MBA program, this requirement is waived for applicants with over five years of relevant, professional, full-time work experience (as determined by the admissions committee). Candidates with between three and five years of professional full-time work experience may apply for a waiver.

Average GMAT score (for students who submitted): 587

Average GPA: 3.17

Acceptance rate: 74.5%

4. American University (Kogod)

Fortune MBA program rank: No. 19

Test policy: Test scores for the GMAT or GRE are optional for students applying to American University’s online MBA program.

Average GMAT score (for students who submitted): 625

Average GPA: 3.1

Acceptance rate: 78%

5. Babson College (Olin)

Fortune MBA program rank: No. 21

Test policy: No GMAT or GRE scores are required to apply for the Olin online MBA program.

Average GMAT score (for students who submitted): N/A

Average GPA: 3.2

Acceptance rate: 89%

6. University of Mississippi

Fortune MBA program rank: No. 28

Test policy: The University of Mississippi requires submission of a GMAT or GRE score to apply to its online MBA program, though applicants for the online MBA program at least five years of postgraduate work experience may qualify for a test waiver.

Average GMAT score (for students who submitted): 548

Average GPA: 3.32

Acceptance rate: 51.21%

7. Colorado State University

Fortune MBA program rank: No. 30

Test policy: Colorado State University does not require online MBA students to submit GMAT or GRE scores. According to the university’s website, “Generally, prospective students have several years of work experience, and their success in industry speaks to their ability to perform in this program.”

Average GMAT score (for students who submitted): 547

Average GPA: 3.1

Acceptance rate: N/A

8. Virginia Commonwealth University

Fortune MBA program rank: No. 32

Test policy: The university does not require online MBA applicants to submit a standardized test score, but prospective students may do so if they wish.

Average GMAT score (for students who submitted): N/A

Average GPA: 3.2

Acceptance rate: 89%

9. Ohio University

Fortune MBA program rank: No. 42

Test policy: Ohio University does not have any GMAT or GRE score requirement for its online MBA program.

Average GMAT score (for students who submitted): N/A

Average GPA: 3.11

Acceptance rate: 78.5%

10. University of Dayton

Fortune MBA program rank: No. 48

Test policy: At the University of Dayton, submission of GMAT and GRE scores is optional for online MBA applicants.

Average GMAT score (for students who submitted): 530

Average GPA: 3.1

Acceptance rate: 80%

Learn more: How to apply to an MBA program without GMAT scores