The GRE has become optional at hundreds of US graduate programmes since 2020 — making it genuinely possible to study in the USA without submitting GRE scores. This guide covers which schools and programmes have dropped GRE requirements, what you need instead, and whether you still need TOEFL.
The Post-2020 GRE Shift
Before 2020, nearly all US graduate programmes required GRE. The COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to make GRE optional, and many never reinstated it. By 2026:
| Policy | Universities |
|---|---|
| GRE required | MIT (most departments), Caltech, some traditional PhD programmes |
| GRE optional | Most master's programmes; many PhD programmes |
| GRE free/not accepted | Some programmes explicitly say they don't consider GRE |
Major US Universities That Have Dropped GRE (2026)
STEM Master's Programmes (Often GRE-Optional)
| University | CS/Engineering | Status |
|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | MS EECS and other | GRE-optional |
| Stanford | MS programmes | GRE-optional |
| Harvard | GSAS most departments | GRE-optional |
| Columbia | Engineering | GRE-optional |
| Yale | GSAS | GRE-optional |
| University of Michigan | Engineering | GRE-optional |
| University of Illinois | CS and Engineering | GRE-optional |
| Georgia Tech | MS CS (online) | No GRE |
| Purdue | Engineering | GRE-optional |
| Carnegie Mellon | Some MS programmes | Varies by programme |
MBA Programmes (GRE or GMAT — Never Required Alone)
All MBA programmes at US business schools require either GRE or GMAT — you cannot apply to an MBA without one of these. They are not test-optional for business school.
What You Need Instead of GRE
When GRE is optional or not required, other application components carry more weight:
| Component | Weight Without GRE |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate GPA | Higher emphasis |
| Letters of recommendation | Higher emphasis |
| Statement of purpose / SOP | Higher emphasis |
| Research experience / publications | Particularly important for PhD |
| Work experience | Especially for professional master's |
| TOEFL / IELTS | Still required — separate from GRE |
Do You Still Need TOEFL Without GRE?
Yes — absolutely. TOEFL (or IELTS) is a completely separate requirement from GRE:
| Test | What It Proves | Replaced by GRE Optional? |
|---|---|---|
| GRE | Academic aptitude | Made optional at many schools |
| TOEFL | English language proficiency | Not optional for non-native speakers |
A GRE-optional programme still requires TOEFL/IELTS for international students who are non-native English speakers.
When Submitting GRE Makes Sense Even at Optional Schools
Even at test-optional schools, submitting a strong GRE can help:
| Situation | Submit GRE? |
|---|---|
| GRE Quant 167+ (STEM applicant) | Yes — strengthens quantitative preparation signal |
| GRE Verbal 162+ (Humanities) | Yes — demonstrates analytical writing ability |
| GRE Quant 148 (applying to STEM) | Probably no — below average; may hurt more than help |
| GRE scores unknown | Take a practice test first; only submit if above the 50th percentile |
Georgia Tech OMSCS — No GRE, High Quality
Georgia Tech's Online MS Computer Science (OMSCS) programme is notable:
- No GRE required
- Ranked top 10 CS in USA
- Total tuition: ~$7,000–$8,000
- STEM-designated → 3 years STEM OPT
- TOEFL: 79 iBT minimum required
This is arguably the world's best value computer science credential — and it explicitly does not require GRE.
Top No-GRE / GRE-Optional MS Programmes
| Programme | School | GRE Policy | TOEFL Min |
|---|---|---|---|
| OMSCS | Georgia Tech | No GRE | 79 |
| MS Data Science | Columbia | Optional | 100 |
| MS CS | UC Berkeley | Optional | 90 |
| MS Engineering (most) | Stanford | Optional | 89 |
| MS Applied Mathematics | NYU | Optional | 90 |
| MS Public Policy | Harvard | Optional | 80 |
Prepare for TOEFL with Gabble — even at GRE-optional schools, TOEFL is still required for international students. A competitive TOEFL (100+) strengthens your application where GRE might have been a differentiator. AI-powered speaking and writing practice.