Best No-GRE Master's in Taxation Programs in 2027

• Highest Score77.6 out of 100

  Strongest CredentialsAACSB stated by the school; prepares for CPA

  California State University-Fullerton

  Master of Science in Taxation

  California · M.S.

  California State University-Fullerton's M.S. Review
• Lowest Price$602.50 per credit

  Mississippi State University

  Master of Taxation

  Mississippi · MTX

  Mississippi State University's MTX Review
• Highest Graduate Earnings$134,927 median earnings

  Golden Gate University

  Master of Science in Taxation

  California · M.S.

  Golden Gate University's M.S. Review

Programs whose admissions page says the GRE is not required, or waives it when you meet a stated GPA or degree condition.

• Master's level taxation degree
• GRE listed as not required, or waived under conditions we quote from the school
• Ranked on the shared methodology

Scores are the weighted sum of eight factors (Tax Specialization 15%, Tax Subject Coverage 15%, Hands-On Tax Practice 10%, Cost 20%, Graduate Earnings 10%, Credential Alignment 10%, Track Record 10%, Program Reputation 10%), version 2.0. The methodology page shows the rubric for each factor.

Read the Waiver Wording Before You Apply to a No-GRE Program

Programs on this list fall into two groups, and the wording tells you which one you're reading. Some say the test isn't required at all. Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Northridge, Mississippi State, Grand Valley State and Widener sit in that group, and Gonzaga, Golden Gate and Cincinnati list the test as not required too.

Others waive the test once you meet a condition.

The conditions are specific. SUNY Old Westbury asks for the GMAT within five years unless it's waived, for example if you've passed all four CPA exam parts, you're a licensed attorney or you hold an accounting degree with a 3.5 GPA.

Hofstra doesn't require the GMAT or GRE with a 3.2 GPA. Florida Atlantic bases its waiver on a credentials evaluation, and Florida Gulf Coast waives the requirement for qualified applicants.

Ask each admissions office whether the waiver is automatic or needs a request. You'll want the answer in writing so you know what to send.

See What Schools Ask for Instead of a Test Score

Without a test score, your application is made of everything else, so build each piece with care. Mississippi State asks for a 3.0 GPA on all coursework or the last 60 hours, a regionally accredited bachelor's degree and three recommendation letters. Grand Valley State's Master of Science in Taxation asks for a personal statement, a resume, two graduate recommendations and transcripts, with a $30 application fee.

St. John's wants relevant work experience, two recommendation letters and a statement of professional goals, and it prefers a 3.25 GPA. Widener asks for a 2.7 minimum GPA, one evaluation, a resume and a personal statement. Cal State Fullerton says admission is a holistic review of academic background, professional experience and preparation for graduate study.

Match your materials to the school. Use your resume to show tax-related work, and use your statement to say why you want taxation. Pick recommenders who have seen you work.

Check Which Programs Welcome Any Bachelor's Degree

Skipping the test doesn't tell you which degrees a school accepts, so check each entry rule.

Cal State Fullerton says you don't need a background in accounting or business to enroll.

The University of Minnesota's Online Master of Business Taxation accepts an undergraduate degree in any field and has no GPA requirement, along with introductory financial reporting and federal income tax courses or their equivalents.

The University of Baltimore takes a bachelor's degree in any field, and its admitted students' GPAs typically run from 2.9 to 4.0. Grand Valley State calls its Master of Science in Taxation a highly accessible degree.

Other programs build in a bridge. Florida Atlantic builds two additional courses for non-accounting majors into the schedule, and Widener lists no prerequisite courses. Hofstra, by contrast, asks for a bachelor's degree in accounting or business.

Ask each school which extra courses you'd take and where they sit in the schedule. If you're coming from another field, that answer matters as much as the test policy.

Compare Cost and Pace Once the Test Is Off the Table

With the test out of the way, price and pace become your main comparisons. Per-credit rates on this list run from $602.50 to $2,255. Grand Valley State's degree comes to $28,479 for 33 credits. Golden Gate's comes to $37,500 for 30 credits. The University of Miami's is $67,650 for the same 30. Our cheapest master's in taxation list sorts programs by price alone.

Pace varies too. Miami's Master of Science in Taxation runs 10 months full time, and its part-time professional track extends that to 24 months with the same curriculum. Golden Gate's takes 15 months, and Hofstra runs 16 to 24 months full time or two to five years part time. Cal State Northridge schedules no classes during the busy tax seasons, which suits you if you work in tax.

Write cost, credits and months in one note for each program, then compare totals at the pace you can keep. If speed matters most, see our accelerated master's in taxation list.