Key Takeaways:
- Every program on this list waives the GRE, so you can apply using your transcripts, resume, and work history instead of a standardized test score.
- Estimated total costs range from about $8,500 to over $33,000, giving you options across nearly every budget and career field.
- Fields covered here span computer science, healthcare, business, education, law, and the arts, so no matter your background, there is a realistic path forward.
Plenty of strong graduate programs have dropped the GRE requirement, especially in fields like computer science, nursing, education, and business, where work experience and academic transcripts already tell admissions committees what they need to know. Before you apply, it helps to understand typical graduate admission requirements so you know what to prepare for, instead of a test score. If you are ready to compare options, GetEducated’s online master’s degree directory is a good place to start narrowing things down by subject and cost.
No-GRE Online Master’s Programs Worth Considering
From under $8,500 to just over $33,000 in estimated total cost, the programs below cover a wide range of fields, formats, and price points. Each one accepts applicants without a GRE score, so you can focus your energy on your application materials instead of test prep.
GetEducated's Picks
- Alvernia University Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership
- Fisher College Master of Arts in Psychology / Mental Health Track
- Grand Canyon University Master of Arts in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Georgia Institute of Technology: Master of Science in Computer Science, Machine Learning
Georgia Tech’s online computer science program is one of the most respected and most affordable technical master’s degrees available anywhere, on campus or off. The machine learning specialization digs into algorithms, applied statistics, and large-scale data systems, giving working engineers a rigorous path toward specialized technical roles.
- Credits: 30
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree, official transcripts
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
You can browse related artificial intelligence master’s programs if you want to compare specializations before applying. Georgia Tech’s tuition and fee schedule breaks down current per-credit pricing for out-of-state students.
Liberty University: Master of Theology in Homiletics
Liberty University’s online Master of Theology with a homiletics concentration is built for pastors and ministry leaders who want to sharpen their preaching and biblical exposition skills.
- Credits: 30
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Master’s degree, transcripts, reference letters
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
If ministry education interests you more broadly, take a look at other online theology master’s programs in the directory. Liberty publishes its tuition and fees online for easy comparison against other seminaries.
Kennesaw State University: Master of Science in Engineering Management
This program blends technical engineering coursework with project management and leadership training, making it a solid fit for engineers who are moving into supervisory roles.
- Credits: 30
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree, resume, statement of purpose
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Compare it against other options in the online engineering master’s directory before you commit. Kennesaw State’s tuition and fees page covers current out-of-state rates.
University of Missouri-Columbia: Master of Science in Academic Medicine
Designed largely for practicing clinicians and medical educators, this program focuses on curriculum design and leadership within academic medical centers, and it requires a prior master’s degree to enroll.
- Credits: 30
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Master’s degree, transcripts, reference letters, resume, statement of purpose
- Accreditation: LCME – Liaison Committee on Medical Education
You can find related options through the health science master’s programs directory. Mizzou’s financial information page lists current cost details for online students.
Ohio University: Master of Science in Nursing, Nurse Leader
Ohio University’s nurse leader track prepares registered nurses for management and administrative roles rather than advanced clinical practice, with coursework built around healthcare finance and organizational leadership.
- Credits: 30
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree, license, interview, background check, resume, references
- Accreditation: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Explore more options in the nursing administration degree directory. Ohio University lists current tuition costs for its online cohorts.
University of Arizona: Master of Laws
This Master of Laws, or LLM, program is built for people who already hold a law degree or substantial legal experience and want specialized credentials, and at just 24 credits, it is shorter than most other programs on this list.
- Credits: 24
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree, official transcripts
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
If a legal graduate degree is part of your plan, browse online master of laws programs to see how this one compares. The university’s tuition and cost page has current pricing.
Colorado State University: Master of Music Education, Kodaly Emphasis
CSU’s Kodaly-focused music education degree is aimed at K-12 music teachers who want to deepen their approach to sequential, folk-song-based instruction. A portfolio and writing sample carry more weight here than a test score would.
- Credits: 30
- Format: Mostly Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree, portfolio, essay, license, references
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
According to GetEducated’s music education program rankings, programs like this one stand out for balancing specialization with reasonable cost. Colorado State’s tuition FAQ covers current fees.
Southern New Hampshire University: MBA in Entrepreneurship
SNHU’s entrepreneurship-focused MBA covers venture financing, business plan development, and growth strategy, aimed at students who want to launch or scale their own companies.
- Credits: 30
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree, statement of purpose, transcripts
- Accreditation: ACBSP – Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Compare it against other tracks in the online entrepreneurship master’s programs directory. SNHU’s tuition and financial aid page has current online rates.
Florida Institute of Technology: Master of Science in Aviation
This program is geared toward aviation professionals moving into management, safety oversight, or operations leadership rather than flight training itself.
- Credits: 30
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree, resume, references, statement of purpose
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Florida Tech shows up on GetEducated’s aviation master’s rankings as one of the more budget-friendly options in the field. The school’s tuition and fees page has current numbers.
Grand Canyon University: Master of Science in Biology, Education Emphasis
This degree combines biology content knowledge with education coursework, aimed at science teachers who want to strengthen their subject expertise without pursuing a separate education-only degree.
- Credits: Varies by track
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree, official transcripts
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
If STEAM-focused teaching degrees interest you, browse STEAM education master’s programs for more options. GCU’s tuition and financing page covers current costs.
Boston University: Master of Science in Health Informatics
BU’s health informatics program sits at the intersection of healthcare and data systems, with coursework built around electronic health records and health IT project management.
- Credits: 32
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree, transcripts, references, resume, statement of purpose
- Accreditation: CAHIIM – Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education
BU appears in GetEducated’s health informatics program rankings for combining a strong reputation with a manageable price tag. Current costs are listed on BU’s tuition and fees page.
Northeastern University: Master of Science in Arts Administration and Cultural Entrepreneurship
This program prepares students to run nonprofit arts organizations, galleries, and cultural institutions, blending arts knowledge with nonprofit management and entrepreneurship coursework.
- Credits: 30
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree, transcripts, resume, references, statement of purpose
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
For related options, check the arts administration degree directory. Northeastern’s tuition and fees page has current pricing.
University of Denver: Master of Science in Legal Administration
Denver’s legal administration degree is designed for paralegals, compliance staff, and law firm administrators who want formal graduate credentials without attending law school.
- Credits: 30
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree, transcripts, statement of purpose, resume, references
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Browse the legal studies master’s programs directory to see how this compares to other legal-adjacent degrees. Denver’s tuition schedule lists current rates.
Drexel University: Master of Science in Addictions Counseling
Drexel’s addictions counseling program trains students for clinical roles in substance use treatment, and at 45 credits, it runs longer than most other programs here to accommodate clinical hours.
- Credits: 45
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree, transcripts, references, resume, statement of purpose
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
You can compare it with other options in the substance abuse counseling degree directory. Drexel’s program tuition page has current cost details.
Syracuse University: Master of Science in Instructional Design, Development, and Evaluation
This program trains students to build training programs and learning experiences for corporate, higher education, or government settings, drawing on Syracuse’s well-regarded school of education.
- Credits: 30
- Format: 100% Online
- Admission: Bachelor’s degree, transcripts, references, resume, statement of purpose
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
For similar programs, see the instructional design master’s directory. Syracuse’s cost of attendance page has current graduate pricing.
Best Online Master’s Programs No GRE: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are answers to some common questions students ask when researching online master’s programs that don’t require the GRE.
What does it mean when a master’s program is “no GRE”?
It means the school does not require you to submit a GRE score with your application, relying instead on transcripts and work experience. For a full breakdown of what to expect, this guide on how to apply for a master’s degree walks through typical steps.
Are no-GRE online master’s degrees taken seriously by employers?
Generally, yes, as long as the program is accredited and relevant to your field. Accreditation status matters more to employers than whether the GRE was required, so always confirm a school’s regional or specialized accreditation before enrolling.
How much do these programs typically cost?
Costs on this list range from about $8,500 to just over $33,000, but that is well below the national picture. According to NCES data reported by BestColleges, the average total cost of a master’s degree runs about $36,760 per year, so several programs here fall well under that figure for the entire degree.
Which fields most commonly skip the GRE requirement?
Business, education, nursing, and computer science are especially common, though the trend has spread into law-adjacent and healthcare administration fields too. If cost matters most to you, GetEducated’s affordable engineering master’s rankings show that technical fields aren’t always the priciest option.
Does skipping the GRE affect my career prospects after graduation?
Not directly. Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2024 shows workers with a master’s degree earned median weekly earnings of $1,840, with an unemployment rate of 2.2 percent, regardless of whether their program required a standardized test for admission.
Is financial aid available for no-GRE online master’s programs?
Yes. Federal loans, institutional scholarships, and employer tuition assistance are all commonly available for online graduate students. GetEducated’s guide to grants for graduate students is a good starting point if you want to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Can I switch career fields with a no-GRE online master’s degree?
Often, yes, especially in fields like business, health informatics, or instructional design that welcome students from varied undergraduate backgrounds. Just check each program’s prerequisite coursework before applying, since requirements vary by school.
Start Your No-GRE Master’s Search Today
Skipping the GRE does not mean skipping quality. The programs above come from regionally and specially accredited institutions across a wide range of budgets and career paths, so there is a realistic starting point here, whether you are eyeing tech, healthcare, business, or the arts. Once you have a shortlist, GetEducated’s full ranking reports directory is a useful next stop for digging deeper into program-specific comparisons before you apply.