GRE Cutoff for US Universities - Required Scores List

Updated on 10 March, 2022

Mrinal Mandal

Study Abroad Expert

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is the standard entrance exam that students appear for to qualify for an undergraduate or postgraduate course, specifically in English-speaking nations. There are varying GRE cut-off scores for US universities when it comes to admissions for international applicants. A good score in GRE is mandatory to secure a place in leading courses and institutions throughout the country. Before we have a detailed discussion on the GRE cut-off for universities in USA, students should know that the quantitative and verbal sections in GRE are scored on a 130-70 scale with one-point increments for each. Such a range indicates that even a little increase in the GRE score will greatly boost the overall percentile.

GRE comprises three sections- verbal reasoning, analytical writing, and quantitative reasoning. GRE is 3 hours and 45-minute long exam and it is accepted by more than 1500 universities across the globe. GRE tests can be taken in both online and offline modes. Many courses such as engineering, often emphasize more on quantitative GRE scores, while humanities and arts courses put more emphasis on verbal GRE scores. In general, scoring 165-170 in a section is regarded as Excellent, while 155-164 indicates Very Good. Anything around 150-154 is Good, while 140-149 indicates Needs Improvement. A score of 130-139 in a section is considered Poor.

The GRE cutoff for MS in USA would entirely depend on the university a student chooses. Also, within a particular university, the score would vary depending on the subject.

GRE Cut-Off Scores for US Universities- A Brief List

Here is a list of scores required by universities in the USA. The average GRE cut-off for MS in USA varies across courses and institutions. Here’s taking a closer look:

MS Course	Average Score in Verbal Section	Average Score in Quantitative Section
Social Sciences	153	152
Business	151	156
Life Sciences	151	151
Arts and Humanities	156	150
Physical Sciences	151	160

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Here Are the Cut-Offs at US Universities:

Name of the Institution	Average Score in the Verbal Section	Average Score in the Quantitative Section
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	157	162
Stanford University	158	163
University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign	155	163
University of California Berkeley	155	161
Georgia Technological University	155	161
Carnegie Mellon University	159	161
University of Texas Austin	155	160
University of Michigan Ann Arbor	154	161
Purdue University	158	163
Cornell University	160	162
Texas A&M University	154	160
University of Southern California	158	163
California Technological University	158	166
University of California San Diego	154	166
Princeton University	158	163
Columbia University	164	163
University of Wisconsin Madison	157	163
Northwestern University	154	161
University of Maryland College	154	160
University of Washington	156	159
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities	155	163
Ohio State University	–	158
North Carolina State University	155	161
Duke University	155	165
University of California Irvine	152	161
University of Colorado Boulder	155	152
Iowa State University	152	160
Arizona State University	154	162
University at Buffalo – SUNY	154	161
Northeastern University	152	157
University of Connecticut	153	157
Colorado State University	153	157
University of Illinois–Chicago	152	158
Illinois Institute of Technology	148	158
University of Central Florida	151	155
Clemson University	151	155
University of Cincinnati	155	159
Santa Clara University	151	157
University of Texas Arlington	148	157
University of North Carolina	158	155
Mississippi State University	148	157
Michigan Technological University	154	157

Important Resources to Read:

Gre Exam Eligibility Criteria	GRE Exam Dates	GRE Test Centers
GRE Exam fee in India	How to Register for GRE Exam in India	Best Books for GRE Preparation
Sections in GRE Exam	How to Prepare for Verbal in GRE	How to Score 170 in GRE Quant

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is 310 a good GRE score for MS in the USA?

310 is considered a good GRE score for MS in the USA. It is usually enough to secure admission into most engineering or computer science programs in the country. The program average is what matters, i.e. if it is around 315-320, then you should score higher than this to enhance your chances of obtaining admission.

Q. Is it hard to score 300 on GRE?

It is not as hard to score 300 in the GRE since it means 150 as an average score in each section. It is an average score and one should strive to do better, by scoring at least 315-320. 325 and more is enough for helping students get into leading global universities, including reputed names in the USA.