Best Online MBAs (No GMAT Required) of 2025

If you want to get an MBA without having to take the GMAT, you’re not alone.

A number of online MBA programs have gone test-optional in recent years, and research has shown that online MBA students are more likely to opt out of taking the GMAT.

Online MBA students may want to pursue their degree without leaving their jobs or taking time out of their busy schedules to take a standardized admissions test.

If you fit that bill, we’ve compiled a list of online MBA programs with no GMAT or GRE requirements that might be a good fit for you.

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a longstanding admissions exam for MBA programs, although it’s undergone changes in recent years.

Officials recently revamped the test to cut down on the time it takes to finish and increase flexibility options for students. The test now includes three 45-minute sections: quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and data insights.

According to the Graduate Management Admission Council, more than 2,400 institutions globally use the exam for admission, although a growing number of institutions have made it optional in recent years.

You’ll also see the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) used in MBA admissions. A number of business schools, even those that are test-optional, accept both tests and don’t have a preference for one or the other. The GRE recently underwent similar changes to the GMAT, cutting down on test time and increasing flexibility.

MBA admissions are an uncertain science, and whether or not you submit the GMAT can affect your odds even at a test-optional program.

If you don’t have significant work experience or a strong undergraduate record, it might be best to submit the GMAT even if you’re applying to a test-optional program.

Some schools recommend submitting the test even though it isn’t required. School officials have previously told BestColleges that other elements of an application take on more importance when test scores aren’t submitted.

Other schools require additional assessments alongside the GMAT. Harvard Business School, for example, requires a writing evaluation like the GMAC Business Writing Assessment if students submit scores from the revised GMAT test. That requirement began after the GMAT dropped its analytical writing assessment last year.

“Submit a score if it is strong and required,” says Angélica Gutiérrez, an associate professor at Loyola Marymount University. “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.”

In addition, some employers may require and weight GMAT scores when hiring.

The GMAT (or GRE) is just one of several typical MBA application requirements. Keep in mind that MBA programs require an undergraduate degree for admission, and some even have requirements on how many years of work experience you need to apply.

If you’re fresh out of an undergraduate program, it might be best to get some work experience under your belt before you head into an MBA program. Alternatively, you could pursue a graduate business program meant for young professionals, like a master’s in management.

There’s a lot of variation in how schools handle MBA admissions. Essay questions, for instance, vary widely by institution. But you can generally expect some of these broad requirements when applying to an MBA program:

Accreditation is a good way to make sure you’ll get a good return on your investment from an MBA program.

“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,” says Gutiérrez.

Third-party accreditors evaluate programs based on faculty experience and student outcomes to ensure students get value from their MBAs. Programmatic accreditation is different from institutional accreditation in that it looks at specific, relevant skills and outcomes.

In general, look for these three accreditors:

Learning doesn’t stop with an MBA. One of the best ways to continue to hone your skills after an MBA program is by earning microcredentials and professional certifications.

Business schools have rolled out certifications in high-demand areas like AI, fintech, cybersecurity, and more in recent years. Those certifications tend to be asynchronous and online, meaning you can work towards them on your own schedule.

A graduate degree like an MBA can also set you up for a professional terminal degree, like a doctor of business administration (DBA) or a research-focused Ph.D. program. Earning a high-level degree can help you break into academics or research, but usually isn’t necessary to advance your career.