Best MBA Programs in Texas
Texas MBA programs benefit from the state's booming economy, corporate relocations, and no state income tax. UT Austin McCombs and Rice Jones consistently rank in the national top 25, while regional programs at SMU, Texas A&M, and Baylor offer strong ROI with lower tuition and strong local networks.
Texas MBA Graduate Outcomes
Median base salary within 3 months of graduation. Employment rates from school-reported data.
| School | Median Salary | Employment Rate | Specialties |
|---|---|---|---|
UT Austin (McCombs) | $165,000 | 96% | Tech Consulting Energy |
Rice (Jones) | $160,000 | 95% | Energy Healthcare Finance |
SMU (Cox) | $140,000 | 92% | Finance Real Estate Consulting |
Texas A&M (Mays) | $130,000 | 94% | Operations Supply Chain Energy |
TCU (Neeley) | $125,000 | 91% | Finance Supply Chain Marketing |
Baylor (Hankamer) | $115,000 | 90% | Healthcare Entrepreneurship |
UT Dallas (Jindal) | $110,000 | 89% | Tech Analytics Operations |
University of Houston (Bauer) | $105,000 | 88% | Energy Finance Marketing |
UT Austin (McCombs)
Median Salary
$165,000
Employment
96%
Rice (Jones)
Median Salary
$160,000
Employment
95%
SMU (Cox)
Median Salary
$140,000
Employment
92%
Texas A&M (Mays)
Median Salary
$130,000
Employment
94%
TCU (Neeley)
Median Salary
$125,000
Employment
91%
Baylor (Hankamer)
Median Salary
$115,000
Employment
90%
UT Dallas (Jindal)
Median Salary
$110,000
Employment
89%
University of Houston (Bauer)
Median Salary
$105,000
Employment
88%
Texas MBA Job Markets
Houston
Energy & Healthcare
Houston
Energy & Healthcare
Energy capital of the world. Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Texas Medical Center drive MBA hiring in energy finance and healthcare management.
Dallas–Fort Worth
Corporate HQ & Consulting
Dallas–Fort Worth
Corporate HQ & Consulting
More Fortune 500 HQs than any US metro. AT&T, ExxonMobil (Irving), and major consulting offices recruit heavily.
Austin
Tech & VC
Austin
Tech & VC
Tesla, Apple, Google, Oracle, and a booming startup ecosystem make Austin the tech MBA hotspot of the South.
San Antonio
Military & Cybersecurity
San Antonio
Military & Cybersecurity
USAA, military bases, and NSA Texas drive demand for MBAs with defense and cybersecurity focus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best MBA program in Texas?
UT Austin McCombs is consistently ranked #1 in Texas and typically #15–#20 nationally. Rice Jones (#25–#30) offers smaller class sizes and strong energy/healthcare placement. SMU Cox is the top choice for Dallas-based careers.
How much does an MBA cost in Texas?
Full-time MBA tuition ranges from $45,000/year (Texas A&M, UT Dallas) to $70,000/year (Rice, SMU). UT Austin McCombs charges $40,000 for Texas residents and $58,000 for non-residents. Total 2-year cost including living expenses: $100,000–$180,000.
Is a Texas MBA worth it?
Strong ROI due to no state income tax, lower cost of living than coastal cities, and booming job market. McCombs graduates earn $165,000+ starting salary, yielding 2–3 year payback on total investment.
What industries hire the most MBAs in Texas?
Energy (upstream and downstream), technology, consulting (McKinsey, BCG, Bain all have Houston/Dallas offices), healthcare management, and real estate development are the top MBA employers in Texas.
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