Yes, you can do masters in the USA without GRE\u2014and an increasing number of universities now offer GRE-waived or GRE-optional policies. The trend accelerated after 2020, and as of 2025, many reputable institutions accept applicants based on academic records, statements of purpose, letters of recommendation, and work experience instead of a GRE for masters .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Programs most likely to waive the GRE for masters include those in computer science, data science, engineering, public health, and business (especially professional master\u2019s like MS or MPS degrees). Schools such as New York University, University of Southern California, Northeastern University, and Arizona State University explicitly state that the GRE for masters is not required for certain departments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the policy varies by university and even by department within the same institution. For example, the same school may require the GRE for masters in economics but waive it for applied analytics. Always check the specific program\u2019s admissions page\u2014not the general graduate school site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even when the GRE for masters is optional, submitting a strong score can strengthen your application, especially if your undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 or your degree is from a less-known institution. Some programs offer automatic waivers for applicants with relevant work experience (typically 2+ years), a prior graduate degree, or a high undergraduate GPA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n