Are There Online Master’s in Analytics Programs with No GRE/GMAT Requirement?

Yes, you can choose from a myriad of online analytics master’s degree programs that don’t require submission of your GRE scores. In fact, it’s more common for online degree programs to optionalize, waive, or remove GRE requirements than traditional, in-person graduate programs. By removing GRE score submission requirements, these online graduate universities can help students save money, reduce the stress associated with applying for graduate school, and concentrate on other areas of their applications.

The following guide illustrates considerations prospective students pursuing a Master’s in Analytics should focus on regarding the GRE and submitting scores. You’ll learn more about when to submit your GRE scores (if you opt to take the test) and when to emphasize other aspects of your application. This guide will also introduce you to every no-GRE analytics master’s degree available online.

Key Facts

• Nearly two-thirds (65%) of online Master’s in Analytics programs do not require the GRE in their admission process.
• On-campus analytics programs require the GRE more often than online analytics programs.
• Prospective students who take the GRE should compare scores with class averages before deciding whether to submit or omit this information from their applications.

Why Are Universities Moving Away from the GRE?

Many online and on-campus universities have recently begun reevaluating the role of GRE scores in their admissions selection processes. This is largely due to the logistical difficulties caused by the pandemic as well as long-standing discussions regarding the objectivity of admissions processes. In the past, standardized tests like the GRE were crucial for student admissions, but now efforts to boost diversity focus on looking beyond GRE scores to see a fuller picture of candidates.

Indeed, the argument against the GRE centers upon the mismatch between scores and a student’s predicted ability to succeed. A single score doesn’t accurately reflect the prospective student’s ability to afford the test, set aside study time, and even request time off work, if necessary, to attend the test itself. That’s not to mention the logistics of getting to a testing facility or the financial ability to afford tutors. Many argue that reducing applicants to one snapshot of their abilities does them more of a disservice than anything.

The predicament underprivileged and underserved applicants find themselves in has been recognized since the late 1990s. Cornell and Yale collaborated on a 1997 study that found GRE scores had little impact in determining how successful prospective students would be in psychology graduate programs. Those same findings resonate in a more recent study by Boston University’s School of Public Health, which concluded that removing the GRE from the admissions process altogether had no measurable effect on the quality of admitted students. In fact, this study spurred the School of Public Health to drop the GRE requirement from the admissions process in 2019, citing the GRE as “costly, biased, a poor predictor of academic success, and a barrier to admission for historically underrepresented students.”

Not All “No GRE” Analytics Programs Are the Same

It’s critical to look beyond the “no GRE” boilerplate message many universities advertise and examine the fine print. Analytics program admission requirements may handle GRE scores in various ways, depending on what weight they give your score during the admissions process.

• GRE not required. Kent State University’s M.S. in Business Analytics removed the GRE requirement from its admissions process entirely, and the University of Delaware’s M.S. in Business Analytics and Information Management also dropped GRE scores from their admissions process.
• GRE optional. Georgia Tech’s online Master of Science in Analytics does not require the GRE or GMAT; the admissions team will consider them when applicants submit them.
• GRE waived under certain conditions. UNC Charlotte waives the GRE requirement on your application if you meet specific conditions. For example, applicants with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or a doctorate (e.g., Ph.D.). All other applicants must submit GRE scores as part of their application.
• GRE alternatives. Applicants who don’t wish to submit their GRE scores can participate in a virtual interview with admissions counselors at the University of Arizona Eller College of Management. However, applicants must meet the program’s minimum requirements.
• GRE required. Schools like the University of New Hampshire require GRE/GMAT scores from all applicants, with no waivers offered. UNH’s M.S. in Business Analytics also requires two letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a resume.

When universities sustain or dismiss their GRE score requirements altogether, the decision to submit your score has been made for you. However, the option to submit your GRE score can provoke doubt and uncertainty. Read on to learn more about when you should submit your GRE score when it’s optional.

Should You Submit GRE Scores When It’s Optional?

Deciding whether to submit your GRE score or omit it from your application can pose a challenge. When universities give you the option to include your score, it’s best to compare your score to the average GRE scores of admitted students. You can typically find this information on the admissions page. If the average GRE score isn’t listed, submit your request to an admissions counselor.

If your GRE score doesn’t meet or exceed the average score among other admitted students, focus on other aspects of your application, such as your professional experience or personal statement. For example, Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business lists the average GRE score for the class of Fall 2023 as 311. However, as a prospective student you can emphasize your qualifications in the admission essay, allowing the admissions committee to “evaluate your application beyond test scores and GPA requirements.”

Before you submit your personal statement or admission essay, obtain feedback from those who know you best. Your support system can help you highlight your strengths and accomplishments to ensure a well-rounded and highly effective essay that leaves a lasting impression. Personal statements that resonate well with multiple letters of recommendation can also work in your favor.

Conclusion

With so many online Master’s in Analytics degree programs reassigning value to GRE scores, prospective students can breathe easier when considering this standardized test. Depending on your chosen program, the GRE may or may not be required as part of the admission process. In fact, you can explore the no-GRE Master’s in Analytics degree directory below to create a shortlist of prospective schools. These listings include analytics master’s degree programs without a strict GRE requirement, meaning GRE scores have been waived, optionalized, or removed entirely.