University of Texas at Austin – McCombs School of Business
Overview
The McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin consistently ranks among the top business schools in the United States. Located in the heart of Austin, a tech and innovation hub, McCombs offers MBA students access to a wide range of industries, including technology, finance, energy, and healthcare. McCombs is known for its strong focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, and global business strategies. The program offers full-time, part-time, and executive MBA formats, catering to both traditional students and working professionals. McCombs has close ties to companies like Dell, Google, and McKinsey & Co., making it a great choice for students seeking strong post-graduation employment opportunities.
Program Details
- Business Week Ranking: #18
- Number of Students: ~260 (Class size)
- Acceptance Rate: 28%
- Average GMAT Score: 700
- Top Hiring Companies: Dell, McKinsey & Co., Amazon, Bain & Co., Google, Accenture
- Average Starting Salary: $135,000
Notable Alumni
- Michael Dell: Founder and CEO of Dell Technologies
- Red McCombs: Co-founder of Clear Channel Communications
- Susan Dell: Founder of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
- Gary Kelly: CEO of Southwest Airlines
Rice University – Jones Graduate School of Business
Overview
Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business, located in Houston, is one of the top MBA programs in Texas, particularly for those seeking careers in energy, healthcare, and consulting. The program is known for its small class sizes, personalized attention, and strong focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. Rice’s MBA curriculum emphasizes leadership, teamwork, and real-world business experience, offering a range of experiential learning opportunities such as consulting projects and internships. The program also benefits from its location in Houston, a global energy hub, which provides students with direct access to leading companies in the energy sector and beyond.
Program Details
- Business Week Ranking: #25
- Number of Students: ~180 (Class size)
- Acceptance Rate: 30%
- Average GMAT Score: 710
- Top Hiring Companies: ExxonMobil, Chevron, McKinsey & Co., Deloitte, PwC, Schlumberger
- Average Starting Salary: $125,000
Notable Alumni
- Jim Turley: Former CEO of Ernst & Young
- Doug Erwin: Partner at Venture Capital Partners
- Nancy F. Koehn: Harvard Business School Historian and Author
- Tom Coughlin: CEO of Shell Midstream Partners
Southern Methodist University – Cox School of Business
Overview
Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business, located in Dallas, offers a highly regarded MBA program with strong ties to the region’s finance, technology, and energy industries. Cox’s MBA program is designed to prepare students for leadership roles by providing a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes both academic theory and practical business skills. The program offers full-time, part-time, and executive MBA formats, making it ideal for both traditional students and working professionals. SMU Cox has a strong alumni network and is particularly well-connected with the Dallas business community, offering excellent networking and internship opportunities.
Program Details
- Business Week Ranking: #40
- Number of Students: ~100 (Class size)
- Acceptance Rate: 35%
- Average GMAT Score: 650
- Top Hiring Companies: AT&T, Goldman Sachs, EY, JPMorgan Chase, KPMG, Texas Instruments
- Average Starting Salary: $120,000
Notable Alumni
- David Miller: Co-founder of EnCap Investments
- Ray L. Hunt: CEO of Hunt Consolidated, Inc.
- Gerald J. Ford: Chairman of Hilltop Holdings
- Ann Rhoades: Co-founder of JetBlue Airways
Texas A&M University – Mays Business School
Overview
The Mays Business School at Texas A&M University, located in College Station, offers a well-regarded MBA program known for its emphasis on leadership, ethical business practices, and analytical skills. The program is highly respected in Texas and the wider southern U.S., particularly for careers in finance, supply chain management, and energy. Mays offers a variety of MBA formats, including full-time, part-time, and executive MBAs, with students benefiting from the school’s strong ties to industries such as energy, consulting, and financial services. Mays Business School also has a robust alumni network, particularly in Texas, which helps students secure internships and job placements.
Program Details
- Business Week Ranking: #38
- Number of Students: ~150 (Class size)
- Acceptance Rate: 40%
- Average GMAT Score: 670
- Top Hiring Companies: BP, Deloitte, EY, Phillips 66, Halliburton, JPMorgan Chase
- Average Starting Salary: $115,000
Notable Alumni
- David N. Williams: President of Noble Energy
- Eli Jones: Former Dean of Mays Business School
- Kathryn Klaber: Founder of The Klaber Group
- Robert Gates: Former U.S. Secretary of Defense
University of Houston – C.T. Bauer College of Business
Overview
The C.T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston offers a flexible and highly affordable MBA program with a strong focus on energy, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. Located in Houston, the heart of the global energy industry, Bauer’s MBA program is designed for both full-time students and working professionals, offering evening, part-time, and online options. The program emphasizes leadership development, data-driven decision-making, and global business strategies, with many opportunities for students to work on real-world consulting projects. Bauer’s strong connections with Houston’s business community, particularly in the energy and healthcare sectors, provide students with excellent career and networking opportunities.
Program Details
- Business Week Ranking: #52
- Number of Students: ~180 (Class size)
- Acceptance Rate: 50%
- Average GMAT Score: 620
- Top Hiring Companies: Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, ConocoPhillips, Deloitte
- Average Starting Salary: $105,000
Notable Alumni
- Tilman Fertitta: CEO of Landry’s, Inc. and Owner of the Houston Rockets
- Paul L. Foster: CEO of Western Refining
- Edgar Colon: Former Chairman of the Port of Houston Authority
- Bobby Tudor: Co-founder and CEO of Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co.
Texas Christian University – Neeley School of Business
Overview
Texas Christian University’s (TCU) Neeley School of Business, located in Fort Worth, offers a small but highly respected MBA program. The program emphasizes leadership, entrepreneurship, and real-world business experience. TCU Neeley’s MBA curriculum is designed to give students a strong foundation in business management, with the opportunity to specialize in areas such as finance, supply chain management, and entrepreneurship. Neeley’s location in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex offers students excellent networking opportunities with top companies in industries like energy, finance, and healthcare. The school’s small class sizes ensure personalized attention and close relationships with faculty and peers.
Program Details
- Business Week Ranking: #47
- Number of Students: ~70 (Class size)
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Average GMAT Score: 640
- Top Hiring Companies: Lockheed Martin, American Airlines, AT&T, Bell Helicopter, BNSF Railway
- Average Starting Salary: $110,000
Notable Alumni
- Scott Murray: Former CEO of Murray Enterprises
- Richard Rainwater: Investor and Philanthropist
- Ruth Altshuler: Businesswoman and Philanthropist
- Jerry Jones: Owner of the Dallas Cowboys (attended TCU briefly)
Baylor University – Hankamer School of Business
Overview
Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business, located in Waco, offers a flexible MBA program designed for both full-time students and working professionals. The program emphasizes leadership, innovation, and ethical decision-making, with a curriculum that integrates academic rigor with practical business experience. Baylor’s MBA program offers a variety of specializations, including healthcare administration, information systems, and marketing. Hankamer’s small class sizes and close-knit community provide students with personalized attention and mentorship from faculty. The program also offers a strong alumni network, particularly within Texas, which helps students secure internships and job placements.
Program Details
- Business Week Ranking: Not Ranked
- Number of Students: ~90 (Class size)
- Acceptance Rate: 60%
- Average GMAT Score: 630 (GMAT waivers available for experienced professionals)
- Top Hiring Companies: Dell, Baylor Scott & White Health, PwC, AT&T, Lockheed Martin
- Average Starting Salary: $100,000
Notable Alumni
- Mark Hurd: Former CEO of Oracle
- Jeffrey D. Armstrong: President of California Polytechnic State University
- Tommy Elliott: Managing Director at KPMG
- Elizabeth Davis: President of Furman University
University of Texas at Dallas – Naveen Jindal School of Management
Overview
The Naveen Jindal School of Management at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) offers a highly flexible and affordable MBA program, ideal for working professionals. Located in the rapidly growing business hub of Dallas, UTD’s MBA program offers full-time, part-time, and online formats. The program emphasizes leadership, analytics, and strategic decision-making, with opportunities to specialize in areas such as finance, healthcare management, and business analytics. UTD has strong connections to the Dallas business community, particularly in industries like finance, technology, and healthcare, providing students with excellent networking and career opportunities.
Program Details
- Business Week Ranking: #42
- Number of Students: ~200 (Class size)
- Acceptance Rate: 50%
- Average GMAT Score: 650
- Top Hiring Companies: AT&T, Texas Instruments, JPMorgan Chase, Deloitte, Raytheon
- Average Starting Salary: $110,000
Notable Alumni
- Rod Canion: Co-founder of Compaq Computer Corporation
- Cynthia Marshall: CEO of the Dallas Mavericks
- David Cordani: CEO of Cigna
- J. Eric Pike: CEO of Pike Corporation