USC Marshall MBA GMAT: Average Scores, Ranges, and What You Need to Know

USC Marshall's most recent entering class (Class of 2025) has an average GMAT 10th Edition score of 722, reflecting a consistent upward trend in test scores at the program over the past several years. The middle 80% range spans from 681 to 760, which demonstrates that Marshall admits competitive applicants across a fairly wide range of scores. The 79-point spread in Marshall's GMAT range illustrates that your test score alone does not determine your admission outcome, and strong profiles across multiple dimensions gain entry even with scores below the average. For applicants submitting the GMAT Focus Edition, Marshall accepts these scores equally with the Classic Edition, though the school primarily reports Class of 2025 data using the 10th Edition metrics. Marshall is ranked No. 24 nationally by US News and World Report, placing the program among the most selective business schools where test scores matter but do not dominate the decision.

A competitive GMAT score for Marshall typically falls between 710 and 750, though your individual situation matters significantly based on your demographic profile and background. You could receive an admission offer with a 690 GMAT if the rest of your profile demonstrates exceptional work experience, strong essays, or a compelling career narrative, whereas a 760 GMAT paired with weak essays or limited professional impact would not guarantee acceptance. Marshall has no official minimum GMAT score threshold, but scores below 680 will require demonstrable strengths in other areas to overcome the lower test result. If your score lands in the 700 to 730 range, you are comfortably within the typical admitted profile. Scores below 700 demand that you present meaningful professional accomplishments, clear career progression, or unique personal circumstances that reveal why you are ready for Marshall's rigorous MBA curriculum independent of your test performance.

When thinking about what qualifies as a strong GMAT score at Marshall, recognize that the 722 average represents a snapshot of admitted students with diverse backgrounds and industries, not a universal bar for success. A score in the 720 to 750 range positions you well and means your GMAT performance will not raise concerns during the admissions review process. If you land above 750, your test score becomes a definite strength, but this advantage does not overcome other application shortcomings or automatically secure your admission. Similarly, a score between 700 and 720 remains highly competitive for Marshall and demonstrates solid quantitative ability, even though it sits below the median. The minimum viable score for a realistic shot at admission is typically around 680 to 690, where you would need to differentiate yourself through exceptional work experience, compelling essays, strong professional recommendations, or other distinctive qualities that set you apart from the applicant pool. Anything below 680 creates a substantial uphill battle, and you would need to demonstrate truly remarkable professional impact or unique perspectives to overcome that gap in a program that evaluates applications holistically but values quantitative aptitude.

USC Marshall is not test-optional for the Full-Time MBA program and requires all applicants to submit either a GMAT 10th Edition, GMAT Focus Edition, or GRE score. The only exceptions to this requirement are applicants who request and receive an approved test waiver, which the school grants selectively to candidates demonstrating strong quantitative backgrounds through STEM degrees, professional certifications like CPA or CFA, or substantial post-undergraduate work in analytical functions. Both GMAT editions and the GRE are treated equally in the admissions process, and Marshall encourages you to submit your strongest test result while maintaining balanced performance across all sections. If you believe you qualify for a waiver based on your academic or professional background, you must apply for one through the application portal and explain your rationale, though approval is competitive and not guaranteed.

Your GMAT score operates as one input within Marshall's holistic evaluation of your entire candidacy rather than as a standalone predictor of admission success. The admissions committee reviews your complete profile, including your undergraduate GPA (average admitted GPA is 3.55), work experience (average is six years), professional achievements, application essays, letters of recommendation, leadership potential, and personal background. Marshall explicitly treats GMAT scores as one factor among many, and a high test score cannot compensate for weak essays, limited work experience, or unclear professional direction. The school uses your GMAT primarily to verify that you possess the quantitative reasoning and analytical problem-solving skills required to succeed in Marshall's demanding MBA curriculum. Your test score provides evidence of academic readiness, but it does not determine whether you will thrive in the classroom or contribute meaningfully to the Marshall community through collaboration and leadership.

When evaluating your application, Marshall considers how your GMAT score fits within the broader context of everything else you bring to the program rather than treating it as the decisive metric. If you have a 760 GMAT but limited work experience, mediocre recommendations, or generic essays that fail to convey your career vision, the admissions committee will not overlook these shortcomings because of your high test score. Conversely, if you have a 705 GMAT but a compelling narrative about your career progression, demonstrated leadership impact, strong recommendations from supervisors, and essays that clearly articulate why Marshall specifically aligns with your goals, your application will likely fare well in the admissions process. This dynamic explains why many applicants with scores slightly below the average (like 705 to 720) gain acceptance, while applicants with scores above 750 sometimes receive rejection letters. Your objective is to present yourself as a well-rounded candidate whose GMAT score demonstrates that you can handle Marshall's analytical coursework while your other application materials illustrate why you will flourish in the program and add meaningful value to your peers' learning experience and the broader Marshall community.

AdmitStudio users who find success at top MBA programs tend to approach their applications as a clear, cohesive professional story, not a checklist of prestigious roles, promotions, or achievements. Rather than trying to impress admissions committees with everything they have done, they focus on explaining why they made key career decisions, what they learned from those experiences, and how those lessons shaped their short- and long-term goals. Their essays help admissions officers quickly understand the applicant’s career trajectory, leadership potential, and sense of purpose within just a few minutes of review.

AdmitStudio users who are successful also use their essays to connect and reinforce the rest of the application, not repeat it. The essays highlight a few core themes, such as leadership, impact, self-awareness, and growth, while the résumé, recommendations, and short answers quietly support those same themes with concrete evidence. By aligning every part of the application around a consistent narrative, these applicants stand out not because they try to appear perfect, but because they are intentional, reflective, and clear about who they are and where they are going. Admissions officers come away with a strong sense of how the applicant will contribute to classroom discussions, team-based learning, and the broader MBA community.