2027 Accredited Online Mobile App Development Degree Programs With No GRE or GMAT Requirements
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Choosing an online mobile app development degree is harder when programs advertise "no GRE" or "no GMAT" but still vary widely in quality, cost, and career fit. The stakes are real: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a $133,080 median annual wage for software developers in May 2024, making software education a high-value decision for many students.
This guide is for undergraduates, career changers, and graduate applicants who want accredited online options without standardized test barriers and need a practical way to compare admissions, affordability, program quality, and job outcomes.
Key Things You Should Know
- Most online mobile app development degree options with no GRE or GMAT requirement are bachelor's programs in software development, computer science, information technology, or software engineering; graduate programs are more likely to use GRE-optional or GRE-waiver policies.
- No-test admissions does not mean open admission: schools commonly weigh GPA, prerequisites, programming experience, transcripts, essays, résumés, recommendations, and sometimes portfolios instead of exam scores.
- Career value depends more on accreditation, curriculum depth, projects, internship access, and employer-aligned skills than on whether the program required a GRE or GMAT; BLS 2024 wage data shows software development remains a strong but competitive U.S. labor market.
Which Accredited Online Mobile App Development Degree Programs Do Not Require the GRE or GMAT?
Accredited online mobile app development degree programs that do not require the GRE or GMAT are usually offered under broader degree names such as software development, computer science, software engineering, information technology, web development, or application development. "Mobile app development" may appear as a concentration, specialization, certificate track, or course sequence rather than the full degree title.
The table below summarizes examples of accredited U.S. online programs that are relevant to mobile app development and generally do not require GRE or GMAT scores for standard admission:
| School | Online degree or pathway relevant to mobile app development | Accreditation type to verify | GRE or GMAT status | Best fit |
| Western Governors University | BS in Software Engineering | Institutional accreditation through NWCCU | No GRE or GMAT for bachelor's admission | Self-paced learners with some technical confidence |
| Southern New Hampshire University | BS in Computer Science with software-focused coursework | Institutional accreditation through NECHE | No GRE or GMAT for bachelor's admission | Students seeking flexible terms and broad programming foundations |
| University of Maryland Global Campus | BS in Software Development and Security | Institutional accreditation through MSCHE | No GRE or GMAT for bachelor's admission | Adult learners, military-affiliated students, and transfer students |
| Bellevue University | BS in Software Development | Institutional accreditation through HLC | No GRE or GMAT for bachelor's admission | Students wanting an applied software curriculum |
| Franklin University | BS in Software Engineering or web/software development-related pathways | Institutional accreditation through HLC | No GRE or GMAT for bachelor's admission | Working adults and transfer-heavy students |
| DeVry University | Bachelor's in Software Development with web and mobile application development specialization options | Institutional accreditation through HLC | No GRE or GMAT for bachelor's admission | Students who want career-oriented applied coursework |
| Full Sail University | BS in Mobile Development or related software pathway | Accreditation through ACCSC | No GRE or GMAT for bachelor's admission | Students seeking a highly specialized mobile-focused program |
| Boston University Metropolitan College | Online MS in Software Development | Institutional accreditation through NECHE | Generally no GRE or GMAT required for many professional online applicants; verify by term | Graduate students seeking advanced software development study |
When comparing these programs, pay close attention to the exact curriculum. A strong mobile app development pathway should include programming, data structures, software design, databases, user interface design, cloud or API integration, testing, secure coding, and a capstone or portfolio project.
The most useful way to narrow your list is to classify each program by degree level and admissions model. These categories help you avoid comparing an applied bachelor's program directly against a graduate software development program with different expectations:
- Bachelor's degree, test-free: Best for students without a completed undergraduate degree who want a full credential and usually do not need GRE or GMAT scores.
- Master's degree, GRE-not-required: Best for applicants with a bachelor's degree and some technical background who want advanced software roles or leadership preparation.
- Master's degree, GRE-optional: Best for applicants who have strong test scores and want to submit them, or applicants with weaker academic records who need another way to show readiness.
- Certificate or concentration inside a degree: Best for students who want mobile skills but also want the broader employability of computer science or software engineering.
Why Have Accredited Online Mobile App Development Degree Programs Eliminated GRE and GMAT Requirements?
Many accredited online technology programs have reduced or removed GRE and GMAT requirements because standardized tests are often a weak fit for applied software education. Mobile app development programs typically need evidence that students can learn programming concepts, solve technical problems, manage projects, and complete hands-on work; a general admissions exam does not always capture those abilities.
This shift also reflects the growth of adult and online learners. The National Center for Education Statistics has continued to report large participation in distance education after the pandemic-era expansion, and online programs now serve many working adults, military students, career changers, and parents who may not have time to schedule a standardized test before applying.
For these students, removing the exam can shorten the application timeline without automatically lowering academic expectations.
It helps to understand the difference between admissions labels. Schools use these terms differently, so read the admissions page carefully before assuming you can skip the exam:
| Admissions policy | What it usually means | How it affects applicants |
| Test-free | The school does not consider GRE or GMAT scores for the program | Your GPA, prerequisites, experience, and application materials carry more weight |
| Test-optional | You may submit scores, but they are not required | Strong scores may help, but weak scores can usually be omitted |
| Test-waiver available | The test is normally required, but some applicants can request a waiver | You may need a minimum GPA, prior graduate credits, professional experience, or another qualifying factor |
| Test-required | Scores are part of the standard application | You must plan for test cost, preparation time, and score reporting deadlines |
The same pattern appears beyond technology. Many business schools now promote flexible admissions, and applicants comparing technical management pathways may also review the cheapest MBA programs online to understand how cost, flexibility, and test policies interact in graduate education.
For mobile app development applicants, the main takeaway is simple: no-GRE and no-GMAT policies are about changing how readiness is measured. They do not remove the need to prove academic preparation, technical interest, and persistence.
What Admissions Criteria Matter Most Without GRE or GMAT Scores?
When GRE or GMAT scores are not required, admissions committees look more closely at evidence that predicts whether you can finish the program. For mobile app development degrees, that evidence is often academic, technical, and professional rather than exam-based.
The table below shows the criteria that commonly become more important when standardized test scores are absent. Use it to identify weak spots in your application before you submit:
| Admissions factor | Why it matters for mobile app development | How to strengthen it |
| Prior GPA | Shows consistency in college-level work | Explain upward trends, retake prerequisites if allowed, or add recent coursework |
| Math and programming prerequisites | Supports readiness for coding, algorithms, and software design | Complete introductory programming, discrete math, statistics, or database courses if required |
| Résumé or work history | Demonstrates problem-solving, project management, or technical exposure | Highlight coding projects, IT support, QA testing, analytics, or product work |
| Portfolio or GitHub samples | Shows practical ability beyond grades | Include clean, documented projects such as a mobile prototype, API integration, or responsive web app |
| Statement of purpose | Connects your goals to the program's curriculum | Name specific courses, career goals, and the skills you plan to build |
| Recommendations | Provides third-party evidence of reliability and learning ability | Choose recommenders who can discuss technical growth, teamwork, or persistence |
If you are applying without test scores, your goal is to create a coherent readiness story. Admissions readers should be able to see why you want the degree, why you can handle the coursework, and how the program fits your next career step.
A practical application plan can make a no-test application stronger. Before applying, complete these steps in order so your materials support each other rather than repeat the same information:
- Review the program's prerequisite list and identify any missing math, programming, or database requirements.
- Build or update one small software project that demonstrates your current coding ability and willingness to learn.
- Revise your résumé so technical tasks, tools, and projects are visible in the first half of the document.
- Write a statement of purpose that explains why mobile app development fits your goals, not just why online learning is convenient.
- Ask admissions whether transfer credits, prior learning credit, or professional certifications can reduce your course load.
No-GRE or no-GMAT programs can be easier to apply to, but they are not always easier to get into. The absence of a standardized test usually reduces friction, cost, and preparation time. It does not mean the school ignores academic fit, prerequisite readiness, or the likelihood that a student can complete technical coursework.
The GRE General Test currently costs $220 in the U.S., before preparation materials or score reporting beyond included options. Skipping the exam can be meaningful for applicants who are trying to apply quickly or avoid unnecessary costs, but the savings should not distract from the bigger investment: tuition, time, and career opportunity cost.
Whether you should submit optional scores depends on your profile. Use optional scores strategically rather than assuming they are always helpful:
- Submit optional scores if they are clearly strong: This can help if your undergraduate GPA is lower than the program average or your transcript lacks recent quantitative coursework.
- Skip optional scores if they are average or weak: A test-optional policy lets you keep the focus on stronger evidence such as work experience, recent courses, or portfolio projects.
- Ask about score use before paying for the exam: Some programs use optional scores only for borderline cases, while others may consider them for scholarships or placement.
- Do not use no-test admissions as your only selection filter: A program that is easy to apply to may still be expensive, too general, or misaligned with mobile development goals.
The better question is not "Is it easier?" but "Is the admissions process aligned with my strengths?" A career changer with recent coding projects may benefit from a portfolio-friendly program, while a recent graduate with a strong GPA may benefit from a school that emphasizes transcripts and prerequisites.
Skipping the GRE or GMAT does not, by itself, reduce academic quality or accreditation. Accreditation is based on institutional review, academic resources, governance, student support, and educational effectiveness. It is not awarded or removed because one program does or does not require a standardized admissions exam.
For degree seekers, accreditation matters more than the test policy. In the U.S., you should first verify institutional accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
For some computing programs, specialized accreditation such as ABET can add an extra layer of assurance, although not every strong software development program has specialized accreditation.
The table below separates accreditation questions from admissions questions. This distinction helps you avoid rejecting a strong program simply because it is test-free or choosing a weak one just because it is convenient:
| Question | What to verify | Why it matters |
| Is the institution accredited? | Current institutional accreditation status | Affects credit transfer, graduate admission, employer recognition, and federal aid eligibility |
| Is the program aligned with software careers? | Courses in programming, databases, software engineering, testing, security, cloud, and mobile development | Determines whether the curriculum builds job-relevant skills |
| Are faculty qualified? | Academic credentials, industry experience, and teaching background | Influences instructional quality and applied project feedback |
| Are student outcomes transparent? | Graduation rates, retention, placement information, or career services data when available | Helps you evaluate risk before enrolling |
| Is the online format well-supported? | Tutoring, coding support, advising, library access, and technical help | Online software students often need support outside standard business hours |
Employers generally care more about what you can build, whether the school is legitimate, and whether your skills match the job than whether you took the GRE or GMAT. For software roles, a credible portfolio, internships, capstone projects, and technical interviews often carry more practical weight than admissions test history.
No-GRE and no-GMAT online mobile app development programs are especially useful for students whose readiness is better shown through work, projects, or recent coursework than through standardized testing. They are also useful for students who want to start quickly and avoid delaying enrollment for exam preparation.
The best-fit applicants usually fall into a few clear groups. If one of these profiles sounds like you, a no-test program may reduce barriers while still giving you a credible path into software development:
- Working adults: Students balancing jobs and family responsibilities often benefit from fewer admissions steps and asynchronous coursework.
- Career changers: Applicants coming from business, design, IT support, education, or analytics can use portfolios and prerequisite courses to show readiness.
- Transfer students: Students with prior credits may be able to finish faster if the school has generous transfer policies.
- Military-affiliated students: Online formats, rolling admissions, and credit for prior training can make degree planning more manageable.
- Applicants with test anxiety or outdated exam history: A no-test policy lets them demonstrate ability through more recent and relevant evidence.
Students focused on speed should compare transfer credit, term length, competency-based options, and year-round enrollment. Some learners who need a broader undergraduate credential may also consider 2 year accelerated bachelor degrees before committing to a mobile-specific pathway.
A no-test program may not be the best fit if you need a highly selective research-oriented graduate program, want a thesis-heavy computer science path, or lack the prerequisites needed for technical coursework. In those cases, taking preparatory courses first may be more valuable than rushing into the easiest application process.
Tuition for no-GRE online mobile app development programs varies widely because the test policy is not the main cost driver. Degree level, institution type, transfer credit, residency rules, technology fees, subscription models, and course load usually matter more than whether the school asks for GRE or GMAT scores.
College Board's 2024 pricing data showed average published tuition and fees of $11,610 for in-state students at public four-year institutions and $43,350 at private nonprofit four-year institutions for the 2024-25 academic year. Online students should not treat these figures as exact program prices, but they do show why comparing total cost-not just per-credit tuition-is essential.
The table below outlines the main cost categories to compare before enrolling. Use it to calculate a realistic total, especially if you plan to transfer credits or study part time:
| Cost factor | Why it matters | Questions to ask the school |
| Per-credit or subscription tuition | Determines the base cost of the degree | Is tuition charged per credit, per term, or through a flat-rate subscription model? |
| Transfer credits | Can reduce both time and tuition | How many credits can I transfer, and how will they apply to major requirements? |
| Technology and course fees | Can raise the real cost beyond advertised tuition | Are there software, lab, platform, proctoring, or graduation fees? |
| Federal financial aid eligibility | Depends on accreditation and enrollment status | Is the program eligible for federal student aid if I meet FAFSA requirements? |
| Employer tuition assistance | Can reduce out-of-pocket cost for working adults | Does the school provide invoices or documentation for employer reimbursement? |
| Time to completion | Longer enrollment can increase total cost and opportunity cost | What is the typical completion time for students with my transfer credits? |
Financial aid comparison should include grants, scholarships, employer reimbursement, military benefits, payment plans, and federal loans where eligible. Graduate applicants comparing online credentials across fields may notice similar trade-offs in programs such as the best online EdD programs, where tuition, completion time, and career goals matter more than admissions convenience alone.
Before enrolling, request a written cost estimate that includes accepted transfer credits, expected remaining credits, fees, and the school's refund policy. A no-GRE program is only financially attractive if the full cost makes sense for your career goal and expected timeline.
Graduates of online mobile app development programs may pursue roles in software development, mobile application development, web development, quality assurance, front-end development, back-end development, cloud application support, UX-adjacent technical roles, and product-focused technical positions.
Outcomes depend on degree level, prior experience, portfolio quality, internships, location, and the competitiveness of the applicant's technical interview skills.
The labor market is favorable but not automatic. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects software developer, quality assurance analyst, and tester employment to grow 15% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. For students, this means the field has strong demand signals, but employers still expect demonstrable skills in coding, debugging, collaboration, and secure software practices.
The table below connects common roles to the skills a mobile app development degree can help build. It is not a salary guarantee, but it can help you choose electives and projects that align with specific career paths:
| Career path | Common responsibilities | Degree skills that matter most |
| Mobile application developer | Builds, tests, and maintains apps for smartphones and tablets | Mobile frameworks, APIs, UI design, databases, testing, and deployment |
| Software developer | Designs and implements software systems or features | Programming, data structures, software engineering, version control, and debugging |
| Front-end developer | Creates user-facing web and app interfaces | JavaScript, responsive design, accessibility, UI patterns, and performance optimization |
| Quality assurance analyst or tester | Tests software, documents defects, and improves release quality | Testing methods, automation basics, requirements analysis, and communication |
| Technical product or app support specialist | Connects users, developers, and business teams | Software literacy, troubleshooting, analytics, documentation, and user feedback analysis |
Mobile development also overlaps with design, analytics, and digital business strategy. Students who want to build apps for brand growth, creator tools, or e-commerce may benefit from understanding marketing concepts alongside coding; one related option to explore is a social media marketing degree if your long-term goal is more product marketing than software engineering.
The strongest applicants usually graduate with more than a transcript. They can show completed apps, team projects, version-controlled code, documented design decisions, and evidence that they can learn new tools as mobile platforms change.
No-test admissions can make applicants underestimate the process. The most common mistakes happen when students treat the absence of a GRE or GMAT requirement as the main qualification rather than preparing a focused, evidence-based application.
These mistakes are avoidable if you review your materials from the perspective of an admissions reader. Each item below can weaken an otherwise promising application:
- Choosing a program only because it does not require a test: Admissions convenience should never outweigh accreditation, curriculum fit, cost, and career outcomes.
- Ignoring prerequisites: Missing programming or math requirements can delay admission, force conditional enrollment, or make early courses harder than expected.
- Submitting a generic personal statement: A statement that could apply to any school does not show why the program fits your goals.
- Overlooking transfer-credit rules: Two schools with similar tuition can have very different total costs if one accepts more prior credits.
- Assuming test-optional means test-blind: If scores are optional, strong scores may still help in some cases, while weak scores can be left out.
- Failing to show technical curiosity: Even beginner applicants should demonstrate initiative through coursework, tutorials, projects, or related work experience.
- Not verifying accreditation: A non-accredited or poorly recognized credential can create problems for aid, transfer, graduate school, and employer screening.
The best prevention is to contact admissions before applying. Ask whether your background is competitive, whether any prerequisites are missing, how transfer credits will apply, and whether optional materials such as a portfolio can strengthen your file.
How Should Students Compare Accredited Online Mobile App Development Degree Programs Without GRE or GMAT Requirements?
The best way to compare no-GRE and no-GMAT online mobile app development programs is to treat test policy as only one factor. A strong program should be accredited, affordable for your situation, technically current, supportive for online learners, and aligned with the jobs you want.
Use the following sequence to compare programs before you apply. This keeps your decision focused on long-term value rather than admissions speed alone:
- Verify institutional accreditation through official accreditation databases or the school's accreditation page.
- Confirm the current GRE, GMAT, test-optional, or waiver policy for your exact degree and start term.
- Map the curriculum against your target roles, especially mobile frameworks, databases, APIs, testing, security, UX, and cloud deployment.
- Ask for a transfer-credit review before estimating total cost or time to completion.
- Compare online format details, including asynchronous access, live sessions, project deadlines, tutoring, and coding support.
- Review career support, including portfolio guidance, internship help, employer partnerships, alumni networking, and interview preparation.
- Request a full cost estimate that includes tuition, fees, books, software, and expected remaining credits.
- Look for outcome transparency, but avoid assuming any program can guarantee a specific job or salary.
It can also help to compare mobile app development against other career paths using the same decision framework: cost, time, credential value, job duties, and salary context. For example, students still exploring fields may review resources on topics such as how much do forensic psychologists make to see how different education investments lead to different labor-market realities.
A good final shortlist should include no more than three to five programs. For each one, write down the admissions policy, total estimated cost, expected completion time, accreditation status, mobile-related courses, and the strongest career outcome evidence you can find.
Other Things You Should Know About Mobile App Development
Not always. Android development, web apps, and many cross-platform tools can be learned on Windows, macOS, or Linux. However, iOS development often requires access to macOS and Apple's development tools, so ask each program about hardware requirements before enrolling.
A portfolio is strongly recommended. A degree shows formal study, but a portfolio shows what you can build. Even small projects can help employers evaluate your coding style, problem-solving process, and ability to complete working software.
Commonly useful languages include Swift for iOS, Kotlin or Java for Android, JavaScript or TypeScript for cross-platform and web-based apps, and sometimes Python, C#, or Dart depending on the framework. The best choice depends on the platform and career path you want.
Certifications can help show tool-specific knowledge, but they usually do not replace the broader foundation of an accredited degree. A certification may be enough for targeted upskilling, while a degree is often more useful for students seeking a full academic credential, transfer options, or long-term career mobility.
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