26 Fully Funded PhD Programs with No GRE for International Students (2026)
Fully funded PhD programs in the USA that don't require the GRE — Social Sciences, Computer Science, Education, Engineering, and Business.
One of the biggest barriers to applying for a PhD in America is the GRE (Graduate Record Examination). It's expensive, hard to access in many countries, and requires months of preparation.
The good news: many top PhD programs have dropped the GRE requirement entirely. These programs still offer full funding — tuition waiver, living stipend, and health insurance — but you don't need a GRE score to apply.
Here are 26 fully funded, GRE-free PhD programs across 5 fields.
For the step-by-step PhD guide: How to Get a Full Scholarship for Your PhD
For 200 more funded programs: 200 Fully Funded PhD Programs
PhD in Social Sciences — No GRE (5 Programs)#
| # | University | Program | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California, Berkeley | Sociology | Full tuition + stipend |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Sociology | Full tuition + stipend |
| 3 | University of Michigan | Political Science | Full tuition + stipend |
| 4 | Cornell University | Population Health Sciences | Full tuition + stipend |
| 5 | University of Chicago | Anthropology | Full tuition + stipend |
Highlights: Berkeley and Wisconsin-Madison have two of the top sociology programs in the world. Michigan's political science department is consistently ranked in the top 5. Cornell's Population Health Sciences program sits at the intersection of social science and public health. Chicago's anthropology department has a legendary intellectual tradition.
PhD in Computer Science — No GRE (5 Programs)#
| # | University | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanford University | Full tuition + stipend |
| 2 | Carnegie Mellon University | Full tuition + stipend |
| 3 | University of California, Berkeley | Full tuition + stipend |
| 4 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Full tuition + stipend |
| 5 | University of Chicago | Full tuition + stipend |
Highlights: Stanford, CMU, and Berkeley are the top 3 computer science programs in the world — and none of them require the GRE. UIUC is consistently top 5 as well. These are the most prestigious CS PhD programs you can apply to without a standardized test score. Competition is fierce, but the GRE is no longer a barrier.
PhD in Education — No GRE (5 Programs)#
| # | University | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Pennsylvania | Full tuition + stipend |
| 2 | Harvard University | Full tuition + stipend |
| 3 | New York University | Full tuition + stipend |
| 4 | University of California, Irvine | Full tuition + stipend |
| 5 | University of Michigan | Full tuition + stipend |
Highlights: Harvard and Stanford (not listed — still requires GRE for some tracks) are the top education schools in America. Penn's Graduate School of Education is a leader in higher education and literacy research. NYU's Steinhardt School is in the heart of New York City. Michigan is the top public university for education research.
PhD in Engineering — No GRE (5 Programs)#
| # | University | Specialization | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanford University | Biomedical Engineering | Full tuition + stipend |
| 2 | MIT | Electrical Engineering | Full tuition + stipend |
| 3 | UC Berkeley | Electrical Engineering | Full tuition + stipend |
| 4 | University of Michigan | Mechanical Engineering | Full tuition + stipend |
| 5 | Georgia Tech | Civil Engineering | Full tuition + stipend |
Highlights: Stanford, MIT, and Berkeley are the top 3 engineering schools in the world — all GRE-free. Michigan and Georgia Tech round out the top 5 in their respective specializations. If you're an engineer, you can now apply to the absolute best programs without taking the GRE.
PhD in Business — No GRE (6 Programs)#
| # | University | Funding |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University at Buffalo (SUNY) | Full tuition + stipend |
| 2 | University of Michigan | Full tuition + stipend |
| 3 | Fordham University | Full tuition + stipend |
| 4 | University of Oregon | Full tuition + stipend |
| 5 | Columbia Business School | Full tuition + stipend |
| 6 | University of Nevada, Reno | Full tuition + stipend |
Highlights: Columbia Business School is one of the most prestigious business PhD programs in the world — and it doesn't require the GRE. Michigan Ross is also a top-10 program. PhD in business trains future professors, not business executives — it's a research degree with small cohorts (5–10 students per year) and guaranteed full funding.
Summary: All 26 Programs#
| Field | Programs | Top Schools |
|---|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 5 | Berkeley, Wisconsin-Madison, Michigan, Cornell, Chicago |
| Computer Science | 5 | Stanford, CMU, Berkeley, UIUC, Chicago |
| Education | 5 | Penn, Harvard, NYU, UC Irvine, Michigan |
| Engineering | 5 | Stanford, MIT, Berkeley, Michigan, Georgia Tech |
| Business | 6 | Columbia, Michigan, Buffalo, Fordham, Oregon, Nevada-Reno |
| Total | 26 |
What "No GRE" Means for You#
Dropping the GRE removes a major barrier:
- No test fees — the GRE costs $220+ and may require travel to a testing center
- No months of preparation — time you can spend on your research statement and contacting professors instead
- No score anxiety — your application is evaluated on your research experience, statement of purpose, and recommendations
These programs evaluate you on what actually matters: your research potential, academic record, and fit with the program — not a standardized test score.
Remember: You Only Need a Bachelor's Degree#
You do not need a master's degree to apply for a PhD in the United States. All 26 programs listed here accept students directly from their bachelor's degree.
All programs provide full funding — tuition waiver, living stipend, and health insurance — for the duration of your PhD (typically 4–6 years).
Related Resources#
- How to Get a Full Scholarship for Your PhD — the step-by-step guide
- 200 Fully Funded PhD Programs — the complete list across 20 fields
- How to Get a Full Scholarship for Your Master's Degree — the master's guide
- USA Travel Ban 2026 — check if your country is affected
- How to Study for Free in the USA — all paths to free education
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