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

USC Marshall's Full-Time MBA shows a competitive profile with an average total of 322. These scores position Marshall among the more selective MBA programs on the West Coast, where you will be competing against applicants with strong analytical abilities and solid communication skills. This score reveals that Marshall attracts candidates with high achieving test scores.

Aiming for a competitive GRE score at Marshall means understanding the mathematics heavily weighted in the admissions profile. You should target a score of at least 160 on the Quantitative section and 155 on the Verbal section to position yourself as a credible candidate within the admitted cohort. A combined GRE score in the 318 to 330 range (Quant plus Verbal) gives you a solid foundation, though you should recognize that achieving this level does not guarantee admission to a program that accepted only 23 percent of applicants. If your GRE lands below 150 on either section, you face an uphill climb and should seriously consider whether retaking the exam makes sense before submitting your application.

A good GRE score at Marshall demonstrates your ability to handle quantitative rigorous work and communicate clearly, yet here is what matters most: a high GRE score by itself will not secure your admission to this program. Many applicants arrive with GRE scores in the 165+ range on Quantitative and still face rejection because their overall profile fails to convince the admissions committee that they bring something distinctive to the Marshall community. Marshall treats your GRE as one piece of evidence that you can handle the analytical demands of an MBA curriculum, not as the primary decision-maker in your application. If your GRE sits below 150 on Quantitative, you should assess whether the cost and time of retaking is justified, but you should also focus energy on strengthening your career narrative, your post-MBA goals, and how Marshall specifically fits into your larger professional vision.

USC Marshall Full-Time MBA is not test optional. You are required to submit either a GMAT or GRE score as a core component of your application. The only exception to this requirement is if you apply for and receive an approved test waiver, which Marshall grants selectively to candidates who have demonstrated strong quantitative capabilities through STEM or business degrees with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, hold professional certifications such as CPA or CFA, or have substantial post-undergraduate work experience in analytical functions. When Marshall evaluates test waiver requests, they prioritize academic achievement in quantitative coursework over professional experience, though they will consider both factors in their decision.

When the Marshall admissions committee reviews your GRE score, they examine it as part of a comprehensive evaluation of your entire candidacy rather than as an isolated metric. Your test score helps the school confirm that you possess the quantitative reasoning skills needed to succeed in Marshall's demanding curriculum, but it is not the determining factor in whether you receive an admission offer. Marshall looks closely at your undergraduate GPA and transcript (especially performance in quantitative courses), your professional experience and the impact you have demonstrated in your roles, your application essays which reveal your career vision and why Marshall specifically is the right program, and the overall narrative you construct about your leadership potential and value to the class. If you have a 330 GRE but your essays are generic, your work experience is unfocused, or your resume shows no clear trajectory or growth, you will likely not be admitted.

The school explicitly states that it takes a holistic approach to admissions, meaning your GRE score is just one component within the broader context of who you are as a professional and person. A high GRE score establishes baseline academic readiness but does not separate admitted candidates from rejected ones in Marshall's competitive applicant pool. What actually differentiates the candidates who earn admission is a combination of solid academics (including your test score), meaningful work experience with clear examples of leadership and impact, a well-articulated post-MBA career vision, and demonstrated alignment with Marshall's culture and resources. You should invest as much time in developing your essays, reflecting on your career trajectory, and preparing for your interview as you spend preparing for the GRE, because all these elements together determine whether you move forward in the admissions process.

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.