List of Top Universities Accepting GRE Scores 2026

Universities accepting GRE scores in 2026 include many of the world’s top institutions across the USA, Europe, and India. Leading universities such as UC Berkeley, Cornell, Yale, Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Columbia continue to accept GRE scores for graduate and MBA programs, alongside top business schools like Wharton, Chicago Booth, and Kellogg. 

In Europe, institutions such as Imperial College London and the University of Manchester recognise GRE for select master’s and doctoral programs. Major Indian institutions, including ISB and certain IIMs, also accept GRE scores for specific courses. While GRE requirements vary by program type, many universities now follow a holistic admissions approach in 2026, placing less emphasis on strict cut-offs and more on overall academic and professional profiles. 

Top Universities Accepting GRE Scores in 2026

In 2026, the GRE continues to be accepted by many of the world’s leading universities for master’s, MBA, and doctoral programs. While several institutions have moved toward test-optional or test-flexible policies, GRE scores still play an important role in strengthening applications, especially for competitive programs and international applicants. Most universities now evaluate GRE scores as part of a holistic admissions process rather than relying on fixed cut-offs.

Global Universities Accepting GRE Scores

The following universities accept GRE scores for select programs. Acceptance, score expectations, and weightage vary by department and degree level.

GRE Acceptance by Program Type:

• MS Programs: Widely accepted across engineering, data science, economics, and natural sciences, especially in the USA and Europe.
• MBA Programs: Accepted by most top global business schools as an alternative to GMAT, including Ivy League and M7 schools.
• PhD Programs: Often expected or strongly recommended, particularly for research-focused and STEM programs.

Universities Accepting GRE Scores Without Alternative Entrance Exams

Many universities around the world consider GRE scores as the primary admission criterion, sometimes in place of other standardized tests like GMAT, SAT or ACT . This is especially common for programs in science, engineering, technology, and research-focused graduate degrees. By relying on the GRE, these universities aim to assess analytical, quantitative, and verbal reasoning skills, which are crucial for success in postgraduate studies.

Notable Universities Accepting Only GRE Scores:

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA: MIT evaluates GRE scores for most of its engineering and science master’s and PhD programs, without requiring GMAT or other test scores.
• Stanford University, USA: Many STEM and research-based programs prioritize GRE scores, allowing candidates to bypass other entrance exams.
• University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada: Certain graduate programs, especially in engineering and computer science, accept GRE exclusively.
• ETH Zurich, Switzerland: Offers GRE-based admissions for selected technical and science-oriented master’s courses.
• National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore: Some STEM and research-focused graduate programs consider only GRE scores.

If your target is a research-intensive or STEM postgraduate program, focusing on universities that accept GRE scores exclusively can streamline your application process and maximize your chances of admission.

GRE Cut-Off Scores for Top Universities in 2026

Here are a few leading universities and their approximate GRE cut-offs: 

• University of Oxford- Verbal- 160 and Quantitative- 160 and above. 
• Carnegie Mellon University- Verbal- 153 and Quantitative- 163. 
• University of Toronto- 167 or higher in the Quantitative section. 
• University of British Columbia- 155 GRE score on both the verbal and quantitative sections
• HEC Montreal- Suggested minimum score is 570, and the competitive score is 630 or higher.
• University of Cambridge- No specific score requirement.
• Northwestern-Kellogg- 162 in the Verbal section.
• Columbia University-  No minimum test score requirements, but the average GRE quantitative scores in recent years rank around 91%.

Conclusion

In 2026, universities accepting GRE scores remain among the top choices for graduate, MBA, and PhD programs worldwide. From elite institutions in the USA and Europe to leading business schools in India, GRE scores continue to strengthen applications and improve admission prospects. Even though many universities now follow a holistic review process, submitting a strong GRE score can give applicants a competitive edge. 

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