The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) assesses the verbal, quantitative and analytical reasoning that business schools value most, which is why it remains a core part of MBA applications in the United States. Most top US B-schools, however, now accept the GRE alongside the GMAT and publish no minimum score, so applicants can choose the test that shows them best.
- Kellogg, Tuck, Duke Fuqua and Michigan Ross all accept both the GMAT and the GRE with no stated preference, and none publishes a minimum score
- Duke Fuqua's Daytime MBA is a 22-month STEM-designated program and its Weekend Executive MBA also runs 22 months, while its Global Executive MBA is currently paused
- Recent classes averaged about a 733 GMAT at Kellogg, 731 at Ross and 727 at Tuck.
Which Top US Universities Accept GMAT Scores for MBA?
Four of the strongest US business schools for GMAT-based MBA applications are Northwestern Kellogg in Evanston, Tuck at Dartmouth in Hanover, Duke Fuqua in Durham and Michigan Ross in Ann Arbor. Each accepts the GMAT alongside the GRE, sets no minimum score, and admits classes averaging roughly a 727 to 733 GMAT.
The USA remains a leading destination for MBA aspirants thanks to its reputed business schools, scholarship options and strong career outcomes. The four schools below are consistently ranked among the best in the world and all use the GMAT as a central part of admissions, while also accepting the GRE.
| Business School 2026 | Location | Tests Accepted | Full-Time MBA Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kellogg (Northwestern University) | Evanston, Illinois | GMAT / GMAT Focus / GRE | One-Year and Two-Year |
| Tuck (Dartmouth College) | Hanover, New Hampshire | GMAT / GRE / Executive Assessment | Two-Year |
| Fuqua (Duke University) | Durham, North Carolina | GMAT / GMAT Focus / GRE / EA | 22-Month Daytime (STEM) |
| Ross (University of Michigan) | Ann Arbor, Michigan | GMAT / GMAT Focus / GRE | Two-Year |
What Does Kellogg School of Management Offer MBA Applicants?
Kellogg at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, is built around collaborative leadership. Its Full-Time MBA comes in two formats: a Two-Year MBA with internships and electives, and a One-Year MBA for those who already hold a business or economics background. Kellogg accepts the GMAT, GMAT Focus or GRE with no preference between them.
The Two-Year MBA suits applicants who want a summer internship and a wide choice of electives, while the One-Year MBA lets candidates with prior study in business or economics skip much of the core and finish faster. Both emphasise teamwork, leadership and a large, engaged alumni network.
Kellogg accepts the GMAT, the GMAT Focus Edition or the GRE and gives no preference to any one test, with no published minimum score. The entering Class of 2026 averaged a GMAT of about 733, with the middle 80 percent falling between 630 and 770.
MBA in USA: complete guideRead →How Is the Tuck School of Business MBA Structured?
Tuck at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, runs a full-time, two-year MBA known for its tight-knit, residential community and emphasis on teamwork and personal leadership. Tuck accepts the GMAT, the GRE and the Executive Assessment, and its entering Class of 2027 posted an average GMAT of 727, with no published minimum cutoff.
Tuck trains its students to be effective leaders, collaborators and entrepreneurs, with a curriculum that prizes teamwork and close faculty contact. Graduates routinely move into consulting, finance and general management roles, and the small cohort size is a defining feature of the experience.
GMAT exam guide and syllabusRead →What MBA Programs Does Duke Fuqua Offer?
Fuqua at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, centres on its 22-month, STEM-designated Daytime MBA, plus a 22-month Weekend Executive MBA for working professionals. Its Global Executive MBA is currently paused. Fuqua accepts the GMAT, GMAT Focus, GRE and Executive Assessment, valid for five years, and applies no minimum test-score requirement.
The Daytime MBA is Fuqua's flagship full-time program. Its STEM designation lets eligible international graduates apply for up to 36 months of US work authorisation through OPT, a meaningful draw for Indian applicants. The curriculum blends core management training with a wide set of electives and a strong team-based culture.
For working professionals, Fuqua runs a 22-month Weekend Executive MBA built around monthly campus residencies and distance learning. Its Global Executive MBA is currently paused and not accepting applications, so confirm availability before applying. All Fuqua programs accept the GMAT, GMAT Focus, GRE and Executive Assessment with no minimum score.
Scholarships for Indian students abroadRead →Why Choose Michigan Ross School of Business?
Ross at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor pairs experienced faculty with an action-based learning model summed up by its motto of being the change you want to see in the world. Its Full-Time MBA is a two-year program. Ross requires a GMAT, GMAT Focus or GRE score and offers no test waiver.
The Stephen M. Ross School of Business is recognised for hands-on, project-based learning that lets students apply classroom theory to real company challenges. Its two-year Full-Time MBA gives students the freedom to customise electives around their interests and career goals.
Ross requires a valid GMAT, GMAT Focus or GRE score and does not offer a test waiver for the Full-Time MBA. The most recent class averaged a GMAT of about 731, with no published minimum, so a competitive application still rests on the whole profile rather than a single number.
Do These Schools Require the GMAT or Accept the GRE?
All four schools accept the GMAT and the GRE with no stated preference, and several also accept the GMAT Focus Edition or the Executive Assessment. None publishes a minimum score. Kellogg and Fuqua simply require a score, while Ross confirms it offers no waiver, so every applicant must submit a valid test result.
Because these programs weigh essays, work experience, recommendations and interviews alongside the test, a strong GMAT or GRE strengthens an application but does not guarantee admission. Choose the test you score best on, keep it valid within five years, and focus on building a well-rounded profile.