You will likely need to take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) to study in the United States. The GRE is a standardised test used by colleges in the United States and other countries to assess applicants' suitability for graduate-level studies. In this blog, we will look at the GRE's importance for studying in the United States and some of the country's top GRE-accepting universities.
The GRE is an important factor for admission to many graduate programs in the USA. It is designed to test your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills, all essential for success in graduate-level courses. Admissions committees often use your GRE scores to assess your potential to succeed in a particular program and to compare you to other applicants. In addition, some universities use GRE scores to award scholarships and financial aid.
Here are some of the top GRE-accepting universities in the USA, along with their QS rankings for 2023, required GRE scores, tuition fees, and location:
|
University Name |
QS Ranking 2023 |
GRE Required Scores |
Tuition Fees |
Location |
|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
1 |
Varies by program |
$53,450 per year |
Cambridge, MA |
|
Stanford University |
2 |
Varies by program |
$58,847 per year |
Stanford, CA |
|
Harvard University |
3 |
Varies by program |
$57,950 per year |
Cambridge, MA |
|
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
4 |
Varies by program |
$54,600 per year |
Pasadena, CA |
|
University of Chicago |
9 |
Varies by program |
$60,552 per year |
Chicago, IL |
|
Columbia University |
14 |
Varies by program |
$64,380 per year |
New York, NY |
|
Cornell University |
15 |
Varies by program |
$60,286 per year |
Ithaca, NY |
|
University of Michigan |
20 |
Varies by program |
$24,864 per year (in-state), $49,350 per year (out-of-state) |
Ann Arbor, MI |
|
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
27 |
Varies by program |
$13,249 per year (in-state), $43,003 per year (out-of-state) |
Los Angeles, CA |
|
University of Texas at Austin |
42 |
Varies by program |
$11,448 per year (in-state), $22,564 per year (out-of-state) |
Austin, TX |
Note: The GRE required scores vary by program, and the tuition fees are subject to change.
While not all Master's programs in the USA require GRE scores, many top MS programs do. Here are some of the top MS courses that generally require GRE scores:
These are just a few examples, and it is important to note that GRE requirements may vary from program to program. Therefore, it is crucial to check the admission requirements of the programs you are interested in to know if the GRE is required and, if so, what the minimum score requirements are.
GRE score requirements vary by university and program in the USA. However, the GRE scores evaluate the applicant's readiness for graduate-level work. They are often used with other admission criteria, such as academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal essays.
For most graduate programs, a good GRE score would be a combined score of at least 300, with at least 150 on the verbal section and 150 on the quantitative section. However, these scores are just averages, and some programs may require higher scores for admission.
The score requirements may be much higher for highly competitive programs such as engineering, computer science, and business. For instance, in the engineering program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the average GRE score for admitted students is 162 for quantitative and 157 for verbal reasoning.
Similarly, in the computer science program at Stanford University, the average GRE score for admitted students is 168 for quantitative and 158 for verbal reasoning. For business programs, the average GRE score at the Harvard Business School is around 162 for quantitative and 157 for verbal reasoning.
It is critical to remember that these are simply averages that may vary yearly depending on the programme's competitiveness and the number of candidates. Therefore, it is important to check the admission requirements of the universities and programs you are interested in to know the exact GRE score requirements.
Overall, GRE scores are a crucial component of the graduate school admission process in the USA. Applicants need to prepare well and achieve competitive scores to increase their chances of admission.
GRE cut-off scores for specific programs in the USA vary widely, depending on the program and the university. Some programs may not have a minimum GRE score requirement, while others may have high scores.
Here are some examples of GRE cut-off scores for specific programs in the USA:
Harvard Business School: The average GRE score for admitted students in the MBA program is around 162 for quantitative and 157 for verbal reasoning.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): The average GRE score for admitted students to the engineering program is 162 for quantitative and 157 for verbal reasoning.
Stanford University: For the computer science program, the average GRE score for admitted students is 168 for quantitative and 158 for verbal reasoning.
Johns Hopkins University: The average GRE score for admitted candidates to the biomedical engineering programme is 156 for quantitative reasoning and 157 for verbal reasoning.
Columbia University: For the Master of Science in Data Science program, the average GRE score for admitted students is around 160 for quantitative and 154 for verbal reasoning.
It should be noted that these are only averages and may fluctuate from year to year. Furthermore, meeting the minimum GRE score requirements does not ensure acceptance into a programme. GRE scores are just one of many factors considered in the admissions process.
Therefore, it is important to research the specific program and university you are interested in to understand their admission requirements and to prepare well for the GRE to increase your chances of admission.
The following table shows the average GRE verbal and quantitative scores according to various subjects:
|
Masters Degree |
Average GRE Verbal Score |
Average GRE Quant Score |
|
Education |
151 |
148 |
|
Engineering |
151 |
157 |
|
Mathematics |
158 |
162 |
|
Physical Sciences |
154 |
159 |
|
Social Sciences |
154 |
149 |
Note: These scores are just averages and may vary depending on the university and program.
Still unclear about anything? Well, not to worry. Contact AECC and get your queries answered today! AECC is one of the world's leading educational consultancies, with versatile expert professionals ready to help you with any queries you may have. Contact us so we can be of assistance to you in your journey to achieving your dream.
Many universities in the USA accept GRE. Some top universities that accept the GRE include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, Harvard University, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and Columbia University.
No, not all universities in the USA accept GRE. However, many universities, especially for graduate programs, accept GRE scores as a part of the admission process.
A score of 317 on the GRE is above the average score of admitted students in most universities in the USA. However, the competitiveness of the program and the university you are applying to should also be considered.
GRE scores may be considered a factor in awarding scholarships and financial aid. However, the chances of getting a scholarship through the GRE depend on various factors, such as the program's competitiveness, the university, and the funding availability.
Yes, you can take the GRE test once every 21 days, up to five times, within any continuous rolling 12-month period. However, it is recommended that you prepare well for the test before retaking it to improve your chances of getting a higher score.
Test Preparation
Premium Counselling
Get in Touch
About Us
Our Partners
Quick Links
Book your FREE consultation with Certified Counsellors
