2027 Accredited Online Graphic Design Degree Programs With No GRE or GMAT Requirements
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Choosing an online graphic design degree is easier when you do not have to budget time and money for the GRE or GMAT. It is also a high-stakes decision: the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a $61,300 median annual wage for graphic designers in May 2024. This guide is for career changers, working adults, transfer students, and aspiring designers comparing accredited online programs.
You will learn which degree types commonly skip standardized tests, what schools evaluate instead, how costs compare, and how to choose a program that supports your portfolio, schedule, and career goals.
Key Things You Should Know
- Most accredited online bachelor's programs in graphic design, digital design, graphic communication, and related visual communication fields do not require the GRE or GMAT because those exams are mainly used for graduate admissions, not undergraduate design entry.
- No-GRE or no-GMAT does not mean no standards: programs often weigh GPA, prior college work, a portfolio, software readiness, essays, recommendations, and evidence of creative or professional growth.
- Career value depends more on accreditation, portfolio quality, curriculum, internships, and cost than on test policy; BLS data places the May 2024 median annual wage for graphic designers at $61,300, but outcomes vary by industry, location, skills, and experience.
Which Accredited Online Graphic Design Degree Programs Do Not Require the GRE or GMAT?
Accredited online graphic design programs without GRE or GMAT requirements are most common at the associate and bachelor's levels, where standardized graduate exams are usually irrelevant. At the master's level, many design schools use test-free, test-optional, or portfolio-centered admissions, but students should verify the policy for the exact term and concentration before applying.
The table below summarizes examples of accredited online or substantially online degree options in graphic design and closely related visual communication fields. Use it as a starting point, not as a final admissions decision, because schools can change test policies, portfolio rules, and online availability.
| Institution | Online degree area | Accreditation to verify | GRE or GMAT status | Best fit |
| Southern New Hampshire University | BA in Graphic Design and Media Arts | Institutional accreditation through NECHE | GRE/GMAT not used for undergraduate admission | Students seeking a flexible, career-oriented bachelor's pathway |
| Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design | BFA in Graphic Design | Institutional accreditation through HLC; specialized art/design recognition should be checked by program | GRE/GMAT not used for undergraduate admission | Students who want studio-style design training online |
| Liberty University | BS in Digital Design with a graphic design focus | Institutional accreditation through SACSCOC | GRE/GMAT not used for undergraduate admission | Students seeking a broad digital design curriculum with online scheduling |
| Academy of Art University | Online graphic design degrees at undergraduate and graduate levels | Institutional accreditation through WSCUC; NASAD status should be confirmed for the specific program | Standardized tests are generally not the central admissions requirement; confirm for graduate entry | Students seeking a portfolio-heavy art school environment online |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Online MA or MFA options in graphic design and visual experience areas | Institutional accreditation through SACSCOC | GRE/GMAT typically not emphasized for design admission; confirm current program rules | Graduate applicants with a strong design portfolio and advanced creative goals |
| University of Maryland Global Campus | Online graphic communication or related digital media pathways | Institutional accreditation through MSCHE | GRE/GMAT not used for undergraduate admission | Adult learners, military-affiliated students, and transfer students seeking applied communication training |
When comparing options, pay close attention to degree title. A "graphic design" degree may focus on branding, typography, layout, and portfolio development, while a "graphic communication," "digital design," or "visual communication" program may include web, UX, marketing, motion, or production workflows. Students who want a broader custom degree outside a studio-specific major may also compare affordable online interdisciplinary studies degrees if they plan to combine design with business, communication, technology, or nonprofit work.
Why Have Accredited Online Graphic Design Degree Programs Eliminated GRE and GMAT Requirements?
Graphic design admissions have moved away from standardized testing because the GRE and GMAT do not measure the most important predictors of design readiness. A strong portfolio, visual problem-solving ability, software fluency, critique readiness, and creative process usually tell admissions teams more than a quantitative or business-school exam score.
The shift also reflects broader online education trends. Working adults and transfer students often choose online programs because they need speed, affordability, and flexibility; requiring an unrelated exam can add cost and delay without improving the school's ability to judge design potential. The College Board's 2024 Trends in College Pricing reported average published tuition and fees of $11,610 for in-state public four-year students and $43,350 for private nonprofit four-year students in 2024-25, which makes avoidable application expenses more important for budget-conscious applicants.
Admissions models generally fall into three categories. Understanding the difference helps you decide whether you can skip testing entirely or whether test scores might still help in a borderline case.
| Admissions model | What it means | How it affects design applicants |
| Test-free | The school does not consider GRE or GMAT scores for the program | Your application depends on academic record, portfolio, writing, and other required materials |
| Test-optional | You may submit scores, but they are not required | Scores may help only if they add something positive that the rest of your file does not show |
| Test-waiver | The school normally requires a test but waives it for applicants meeting certain criteria | You may need a minimum GPA, prior graduate credits, professional experience, or another qualifying factor |
For most graphic design applicants, test-free or test-optional policies shift the burden from exam preparation to evidence. That means your work samples, project explanations, academic performance, and fit with the program become more important.
What Admissions Criteria Matter Most Without GRE or GMAT Scores?
Without GRE or GMAT scores, accredited online graphic design programs usually evaluate whether you can succeed in a visual, critique-based, deadline-driven curriculum. The exact mix varies by degree level, but most programs look for academic readiness and creative potential rather than one single admissions factor.
The following materials are the most important to prepare carefully because they often replace standardized test scores as evidence of readiness.
- Portfolio: Include polished work and, when allowed, process samples that show research, iteration, typography, hierarchy, composition, and problem-solving rather than only finished images.
- Academic record: A solid GPA and completion of foundational courses can reassure admissions teams that you can manage online coursework and deadlines.
- Statement of purpose: Explain why you want the degree, what kind of design work you hope to do, and how the specific program's curriculum supports that goal.
- Résumé or experience summary: Include freelance work, internships, marketing projects, web design, social media design, print production, photography, illustration, or other creative responsibilities.
- Recommendations: Choose people who can speak to your reliability, creative growth, collaboration, and ability to respond to feedback.
- Software readiness: Programs may expect familiarity with tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, or comparable design software, although beginners can often enter foundational programs.
If scores are optional, submit them only when they strengthen your application. For a graphic design master's applicant with an outstanding portfolio and relevant experience, a GRE score may add little. For an applicant with a weaker undergraduate record, a strong optional score could help at some schools, but it will rarely substitute for a weak portfolio in a design-focused program.
No-GRE and no-GMAT programs are often easier to apply to, but they are not automatically easier to enter or complete. Removing a test requirement lowers the application barrier, yet reputable programs still need to protect academic quality, studio standards, and student outcomes.
The real difference is where selectivity shows up. A less selective bachelor's program may admit students who meet basic institutional requirements and then build design skills through foundational courses. A selective BFA, MA, or MFA may require a stronger portfolio, clearer artistic direction, or evidence that you can handle advanced critique. This can make the application feel less like test preparation and more like a professional presentation of your work.
Applicants should evaluate admissions difficulty through multiple signals rather than relying on the absence of standardized testing. The table below shows what to compare.
| Signal | What it can tell you | Why it matters |
| Portfolio requirement | Whether the program screens for creative readiness before admission | More selective programs often expect stronger visual evidence upfront |
| Minimum GPA | Whether academic performance is a formal gatekeeping factor | A higher GPA threshold can matter more when tests are not required |
| Prerequisite courses | Whether you need prior studio, art history, or software coursework | Missing prerequisites can delay admission or graduation |
| Graduate faculty review | Whether design faculty evaluate your application directly | Faculty review can make admissions more qualitative and competitive |
| Cohort or seat limits | Whether enrollment capacity is restricted | Limited seats can increase competition even in test-free programs |
A good rule of thumb is simple: no-test admissions saves time, but it does not replace preparation. If the program asks for a portfolio, treat it as the centerpiece of the application.
Skipping the GRE or GMAT does not reduce accreditation status. Accreditation is based on institutional quality, academic governance, faculty credentials, student support, financial stability, and learning outcomes, not on whether a design program requires a standardized admissions exam.
For U.S. students, the most important baseline is institutional accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. This affects transfer credit, federal financial aid eligibility, graduate school recognition, and employer confidence. In art and design, specialized accreditation or membership through organizations such as NASAD can add another quality signal, but it is not always required for employment in graphic design.
Use the following accreditation checks before applying because they protect you from wasting money on a credential that may not transfer or qualify for aid.
- Confirm the institution's current accreditation status through an official accreditation database or the school's accreditation page.
- Check whether the online program is covered under the same institutional accreditation as the campus program.
- Ask whether specialized design accreditation applies to the exact degree, not just to the school generally.
- Verify federal financial aid eligibility if you plan to use grants, federal loans, or work-study.
- Review transfer credit policies if you may later move into another bachelor's or graduate program.
Employers in design rarely ask whether you submitted the GRE or GMAT. They are more likely to evaluate your portfolio, internships, software skills, communication ability, and whether your degree came from a legitimate accredited institution.
No-GRE and no-GMAT online graphic design programs are especially useful for students who already know they want a creative degree but do not want an unrelated exam to slow them down. The benefit is strongest when the saved time is used to improve the portfolio, complete transfer paperwork, compare costs, or build software skills.
These students tend to benefit most from test-free or test-optional graphic design admissions.
- Working adults: They can avoid months of exam preparation and focus on programs with asynchronous coursework, evening-friendly deadlines, and portfolio development.
- Transfer students: They can use prior credits to shorten the degree timeline, especially in bachelor's programs that accept general education and elective credits.
- Career changers: They can demonstrate motivation through projects, bootcamps, freelance work, or continuing education instead of relying on a test unrelated to design practice.
- Applicants with strong creative work but uneven test performance: They can present evidence that better reflects their actual design ability.
- Military-affiliated and adult learners: They may benefit from rolling admissions, transfer-friendly policies, and online support services.
Students should be cautious if they are choosing a no-test program only because it feels easy. If you want the fastest possible credential, compare total timeline, credit transfer, studio sequencing, and capstone requirements; some students researching accelerated graduate options also compare a one year masters degree, but design programs may take longer when portfolio, critique, and studio sequences are central to the curriculum.
A graphic design degree may not be the right fit if your goal is a licensed profession outside design, such as counseling, clinical social work, teaching licensure, or architecture. In those fields, state requirements and supervised experience can matter more than admissions flexibility.
No-GRE online graphic design programs are not automatically cheaper, but they can reduce upfront application costs by eliminating exam registration, prep materials, and retesting. The larger financial decision is still total program cost: tuition, fees, software, hardware, transfer credits, financial aid, and time to completion.
The College Board's 2024 tuition data provides a useful benchmark for comparing school prices, even though individual online programs may charge different rates. Use these figures as context when evaluating whether an online design program is priced above or below typical four-year tuition levels.
- Average published in-state tuition and fees at public four-year institutions for 2024-25: $11,610
- Average published out-of-state tuition and fees at public four-year institutions for 2024-25: $30,780
- Average published tuition and fees at private nonprofit four-year institutions for 2024-25: $43,350
For graduate students, federal loan costs also matter. Federal Student Aid set the 2024-25 interest rate for Direct Unsubsidized Loans for graduate or professional students at 8.08%, which means borrowing decisions can significantly affect long-term return on investment.
Before enrolling, ask schools for a complete cost estimate rather than comparing tuition alone. The most useful estimate should include the items below.
- Tuition per credit and the total number of credits required for the degree
- Mandatory online, technology, studio, graduation, or portfolio review fees
- Software subscriptions, computer specifications, drawing tablets, cameras, printers, or other required tools
- Transfer credit evaluation and how many credits can realistically apply to the major
- Institutional scholarships, portfolio scholarships, employer tuition benefits, military benefits, and federal aid eligibility
- Expected course load per term and whether part-time enrollment changes fees or aid eligibility
If affordability is your main concern, compare accredited options by total net cost, not sticker price. Students considering graduate study can also review inexpensive masters programs to understand how tuition structures vary across online degrees.
Career outcomes depend on portfolio quality, experience, specialization, networking, and local or remote job opportunities-not on whether the program required the GRE or GMAT. Employers typically care more about whether you can solve visual communication problems, meet deadlines, collaborate with stakeholders, and use current design tools.
The BLS reported a $61,300 median annual wage for graphic designers in May 2024. That figure is a midpoint across many industries and experience levels, so students should treat it as a labor-market reference rather than a personal salary prediction.
Graduates of accredited online graphic design programs may pursue several roles, depending on the curriculum and their portfolio focus. The table below connects common roles with the evidence employers often want to see.
| Career path | Typical work | Portfolio evidence that helps |
| Graphic designer | Brand assets, layouts, print materials, digital graphics, typography, visual campaigns | Identity systems, editorial layouts, social media campaigns, packaging, production-ready files |
| Digital designer | Web graphics, display ads, landing pages, email assets, motion or interactive visuals | Responsive design samples, campaign sets, motion clips, web-ready visual systems |
| UX/UI designer | User flows, wireframes, prototypes, interface design, usability-informed visual systems | Case studies showing research, user problems, iterations, prototypes, and final screens |
| Art director assistant or junior art director | Concept development, brand direction, creative team support, campaign execution | Campaign thinking, mood boards, concept rationales, multi-channel visual systems |
| Production artist | File preparation, formatting, resizing, prepress, template work, quality control | Clean production files, versioned assets, technical accuracy, print and digital specifications |
Current trends are reshaping the field. AI image tools, template platforms, and automation can speed up production work, but they also increase the value of designers who can provide strategy, brand judgment, accessibility awareness, ethical sourcing, and original visual systems. A degree program with critique, portfolio development, and real-world projects can help students move beyond tool use into design thinking.
If you are comparing design with people-focused professional tracks, evaluate career requirements separately. For example, someone drawn to social impact may compare design roles in nonprofit communication with fastest online MSW programs, but social work has licensing and supervised practice requirements that graphic design does not.
The biggest mistake is treating no-GRE or no-GMAT admissions as a shortcut. When test scores disappear, the rest of the application carries more weight, especially the portfolio and statement of purpose.
Avoid the mistakes below if you want your application to look serious, prepared, and aligned with the program.
- Submitting a generic portfolio: Tailor work samples to the program's focus, and include projects that show design thinking rather than only personal art or isolated graphics.
- Ignoring process: If the school allows case studies, include sketches, research, iterations, and explanations of design decisions.
- Choosing a program only because it has no test requirement: Compare curriculum, accreditation, faculty, cost, student support, and portfolio outcomes before applying.
- Overlooking prerequisites: Some advanced programs may expect prior design coursework, software experience, or a related bachelor's degree.
- Using a weak statement of purpose: Avoid vague claims about being creative; explain your goals, influences, skill gaps, and why the program fits.
- Forgetting technical requirements: Online design courses may require specific hardware, software, internet speed, file formats, and presentation tools.
- Assuming test policies never change: Confirm admissions requirements for the exact term, degree level, and concentration before submitting materials.
Applicants should also avoid confusing personal interest with professional fit. If your long-term goal involves therapy, family counseling, or mental health licensure, graphic design is not a substitute; compare specialized pathways such as MFT masters programs instead of choosing a design degree for admissions convenience.
How Should Students Compare Accredited Online Graphic Design Degree Programs Without GRE or GMAT Requirements?
The best program is not simply the one with the easiest application. It is the accredited online degree that fits your creative goals, budget, schedule, academic background, and intended career path.
Use this step-by-step process to compare programs before applying. It turns a long list of schools into a practical shortlist.
- Start with accreditation: Confirm institutional accreditation first, then check whether any specialized design accreditation applies to the program.
- Match the degree title to your goal: Choose graphic design for branding, typography, and visual communication; digital design for web and multimedia; UX-focused programs for interface and user-centered work.
- Review the portfolio expectations: Decide whether you are ready for a selective portfolio review or need a program with foundational coursework for beginners.
- Calculate total cost: Include tuition, fees, software, equipment, lost work time, transfer credits, and loan interest.
- Compare online format: Check whether classes are asynchronous, live, cohort-based, self-paced, or project-based.
- Evaluate career support: Look for portfolio reviews, internship support, alumni work samples, employer projects, career coaching, and faculty with current industry experience.
- Ask about transfer and prior learning credit: Transfer-friendly programs can reduce cost and time, but major studio requirements may still need to be completed at the school.
- Confirm admissions policy in writing: Ask whether the program is test-free, test-optional, or waiver-based for your intended start term.
Before committing, ask admissions counselors direct questions that reveal both flexibility and quality. Good questions include: "How many portfolio courses are required?" "Can online students access faculty critique?" "What software is required in the first term?" "How are capstone projects evaluated?" and "What percentage of my transfer credits will apply to the major?"
If you are still exploring outside design, compare each field by outcome and requirement rather than convenience. Broad creative students may find that design, communication, business, or interdisciplinary study fits better than a licensed helping profession; others may need a credential in a specific field where admissions, practicum, and licensure rules are more structured.
Other Things You Should Know About Graphic Design
No. Drawing can help with sketching ideas, but graphic design is mainly about visual communication, typography, layout, branding, hierarchy, and problem-solving. Many successful students enter with stronger digital, photography, writing, or marketing skills than traditional drawing skills.
Many programs use Adobe Creative Cloud tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Some courses may also use Figma, After Effects, Canva, or web design tools. Always check the school's current technology requirements before buying hardware or subscriptions.
Yes, some entry-level or freelance design work is possible with a strong certificate portfolio. A degree may be more useful if you want broader design theory, general education, internships, structured critique, transfer options, or eligibility for jobs that prefer a bachelor's degree.
The work can be the same, but online portfolios should be easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, and organized by project type. Include short explanations of the client or problem, your role, tools used, process, and final outcome so reviewers understand how you think.
- After ArtCenter https://www.artcenter.edu/outcomes/overview.html
- 2025 Most Affordable Online Graphic Design Degrees https://www.onlineu.com/most-affordable-colleges/graphic-design-degrees
- Online Graphic Design Degree Programs and Job Outlook - OEDB.org https://www.oedb.org/rankings/online-graphic-design-programs/
- Graphic Design Associate’s Degree Program | Platt College https://plattcollege.edu/programs/school-of-graphic-design/graphic-design/
- Arts and Design Alumni Employment and Perspectives on Their Work and⦠https://snaaparts.org/findings/reports/arts-and-design-alumni-employment-and-perspectives-on-their-work-and-careers
- Online Graphic Design Degrees https://mycollegeguide.org/online-graphic-design-degrees/
- 2025's Best Online Master’s in Graphic Design Programs https://www.onlinemastersdegrees.org/best-programs/graphic-design/
- Accredited Online Graphic Design Degree Programs https://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.org/graphic-design/
