Best Texas Universities For MBA is one of the best states in the United States to earn an MBA — and the reasons go beyond rankings. Houston has 26 Fortune 500 headquarters. Dallas–Fort Worth has 23 Fortune 500 company headquarters — more than any other metro except New York.
Austin is home to the fastest-growing technology sector in the American South. And the state’s combination of zero income tax, lower cost of living than competing MBA markets like Boston, Chicago, or San Francisco, and strong industry diversity across energy, technology, healthcare, finance, and aerospace creates career pipelines for MBA graduates that are genuinely exceptional.
This guide ranks the best Texas universities for MBA in 2026 — by national rankings, salary outcomes, AACSB accreditation, program format, tuition, and value for international students.
Quick Comparison — Best Texas MBA Programs 2026
| School | University | US News MBA Rank | Tuition (Total) | Avg Starting Salary | AACSB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCombs | UT Austin | #18 Full-Time; #8 Part-Time | ~$60,000–$70,000 | $110,000–$130,000 | ✅ |
| Jones | Rice University | #25 Full-Time | ~$57,000–$70,000/yr | Strong energy/finance | ✅ |
| Mays | Texas A&M | #1 Online MBA (US News) | ~$30,000–$50,000 | $133,075 avg | ✅ |
| Neeley | TCU | Top 25 nationally | ~$50,000–$65,000 | $109,000+ avg | ✅ |
| Cox | SMU | Strong regional | ~$60,000–$75,000 | High — Dallas focus | ✅ |
| Jindal | UT Dallas | Affordable value leader | ~$15,200–$30,000 (in-state) | Strong DFW placement | ✅ |
| Bauer | U of Houston | #25 Professional MBA (public) | ~$30,000–$50,000 | Strong energy sector | ✅ |
| Hankamer | Baylor | Strong regional | ~$50,000–$65,000 | 94.8% placement rate | ✅ |
1. McCombs School of Business (UT Austin) — Best Prestige and Highest Salary
UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business is the most nationally recognized MBA program in Texas and one of the top business schools in the United States. The McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin is a top-ranked MBA program, often in the top 10 for Executive MBA and top 20 for full-time MBA.
Key Rankings and Facts
- #18 nationally for Full-Time MBA (US News)
- #8 nationally for Part-Time MBA (US News)
- Top 10 Executive MBA nationally
- Average GMAT: 704 | Average GRE: 160V/161Q
- Average work experience: 5.9 years
- Average GPA of entering class: 3.46
- Program length: 21 months (full-time)
MBA Formats at McCombs
- Full-Time MBA — 21 months; on-campus Austin; most career-switching oriented
- Part-Time MBA (Evening Program) — 2–3 years; Austin campus; for professionals continuing to work
- Executive MBA (EMBA) — Weekend format; Austin campus; for senior professionals
- MBA/MS Dual Degrees — paired with Law, Information Studies, and others
Career Outcomes
Most MBA graduates in Austin secure full-time jobs within three months, with starting salaries from $110,000 to $130,000. Top recruiting industries include technology (Apple, Dell, Google, Amazon), consulting (McKinsey, Deloitte, BCG), finance, and energy. Austin’s tech corridor gives McCombs graduates immediate access to one of the fastest-growing job markets in the U.S.
Tuition
The full-time MBA program costs between $60,000 and $70,000 in tuition and fees. Texas residents pay approximately $52,000 total; out-of-state and international students pay $60,000–$70,000. Expect to pay around $18,000 per year in tuition and fees if you’re an in-state student pursuing an MBA in Austin, specifically at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.
For International Students
International students pay out-of-state tuition rates at McCombs — approximately $30,000–$35,000/year. Scholarships are available through the McCombs scholarship process — apply early and with strong GMAT/GRE scores. GMAT requirement: 650–740. GRE: 156–165 Verbal, 154–169 Quantitative. The McCombs MBA is STEM-designated in its Business Analytics track, qualifying graduates for 36-month OPT.
2. Jones Graduate School of Business (Rice University) — Best For Energy and Finance
Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business is consistently ranked in the national top 25 and offers what may be the most distinctive MBA in Texas: a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio with a 94.6% graduation rate, signaling intensive mentorship and strong completion outcomes.
Key Rankings and Facts
- #25 nationally for Full-Time MBA (US News)
- QS World MBA ranking: consistently top 100 globally
- 94% placement rate within 3 months of graduation
- 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio — the lowest at any Texas MBA program
- Average class size: approximately 120 students (full-time)
- Program length: 3 semesters (full-time); 4 semesters available
MBA Formats at Jones
- Full-Time MBA — 3 or 4 semesters; Houston campus; intensive small cohort experience
- MBA for Professionals (evening/weekend) — 2.5–3 years; Houston; for working professionals
- Executive MBA — weekend format for senior leaders
- MBA with Healthcare Specialization — leverages Texas Medical Center proximity directly across the street
Career Outcomes
Houston is home to 26 Fortune 500 headquarters, the world’s largest medical center, and the highest volume of U.S. international trade by tonnage. Those three facts shape MBA hiring pipelines in ways few other metros can match.
Jones graduates enter careers in energy (ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron), healthcare management (Texas Medical Center), finance, consulting, and technology. The MBA with Healthcare Specialization is particularly distinctive — no other Texas MBA program places students adjacent to the world’s largest medical complex during their studies.
Tuition
Rice Jones tuition runs approximately $57,000–$70,000/year — among the highest of any Texas MBA program. However, Rice’s endowment-funded scholarships can significantly reduce net cost for competitive applicants. Rice meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students through institutional grants.
For International Students
Rice Jones is need-aware for international applicants. Merit scholarships are available and competitive. The CSS Profile must be submitted for financial aid consideration. All MBA programs at Rice are STEM-eligible for relevant specializations. Rice Jones and University of Houston Bauer lead Houston’s MBA rankings, with strong ties to energy and healthcare employers.
3. Mays Business School (Texas A&M) — #1 Online MBA Nationally
Texas A&M’s Mays Business School holds the most unusual distinction of any Texas MBA program: #1 Online MBA in the United States according to US News (2025) — including the #1 Online MBA for Veterans. For working professionals who cannot pause their careers for a full-time residential program, Mays offers nationally recognized credentials at a price point that is genuinely competitive.
Key Rankings and Facts
- #1 Online MBA in the USA (US News 2025)
- #1 Online MBA for Veterans (US News 2025)
- AACSB-accredited since 1960
- Average MBA starting salary: $133,075
- Program lengths: 16–20 months (accelerated) to 3 years (part-time)
- Multiple specializations: Finance, Marketing, Business Analytics, Supply Chain, International Business, Strategic Leadership
MBA Formats at Mays
- Full-Time MBA — on-campus College Station; cohort-based; case-heavy curriculum
- Professional MBA (Online) — TAMU’s #1-ranked online format; 100% online; flexible pacing
- Executive MBA — weekend format; Dallas/Fort Worth campus; for senior professionals
- MS in Business Analytics — STEM-designated; separate from MBA but often chosen by international students
Career Outcomes
Mays MBA graduates benefit from the Aggie Network — 500,000+ dues-paying alumni, the largest active alumni association in the United States. Aggies hire Aggies — this is not a cliché but a documented feature of TAMU employment networks across Texas’s energy, agriculture, aerospace, and business sectors. Graduates from Texas A&M’s Mays Business School often share how their investment felt worthwhile due to strong alumni networks and flexible program structures.
Tuition
Mays MBA tuition is among the most affordable of the nationally ranked Texas programs — approximately $30,000–$50,000 total depending on format and residency status. Texas MBA graduates report salary increases of 30–50% within three years of graduation, with a median starting salary between $90,000 and $110,000.
For International Students
The $4,000 competitive scholarship waiver at TAMU applies to MBA students as well — graduate students earning a $1,000+ competitive scholarship pay in-state tuition rates instead of out-of-state rates. TA/RA positions are available in some programs. The online Professional MBA is available to international students with F-1 visas subject to enrollment requirements — verify current policy with Mays Admissions.
4. Neeley School of Business (TCU) — Best For Operations and Leadership
TCU’s Neeley School of Business is AACSB-accredited and one of the most career-effective MBA programs in Texas. The Princeton Review recognizes its MBA program as the best for Operations in Texas, while its 2023 MBA graduate placement rate stands at an impressive 97%.
Key Rankings and Facts
- 97% MBA graduate placement rate (Class of 2023)
- MBA average starting salary: $109,000+
- Neeley BBA employment within 3 months: 94.1%
- AACSB-accredited
- Princeton Review: Best MBA for Operations in Texas
- Strong focus on leadership development and experiential learning
MBA Formats at Neeley
- Full-Time MBA — Fort Worth campus; small cohort; intensive
- Working Professional MBA — evening/weekend; Fort Worth; for professionals
- Executive MBA — for senior professionals
- MS in Finance, MS in Supply Chain Management, MS in Accounting — specialized master’s alternatives
Career Outcomes
Neeley’s Fort Worth location puts graduates inside the DFW Metroplex — the #2 job market in the U.S. by multiple metrics. Top recruiting employers include American Airlines, BNSF Railway, Lockheed Martin, Charles Schwab, JPMorgan Chase, and hundreds of mid-market DFW companies. By prioritizing experiential learning, future Neeley School graduates will be equipped with business strategies, financial analysis, and critical thinking.
Tuition
Neeley MBA total tuition runs approximately $50,000–$65,000. TCU’s average financial aid package for MBA students includes merit scholarships, graduate assistantships, and need-based grants. Apply early for maximum scholarship consideration.
For International Students
TCU is need-aware for international applicants. Average international student financial aid at TCU is $25,000/year with a maximum combined award of $51,570/year. CSS Profile required for need-based aid consideration by February 1. STEM OPT available for qualifying MS programs.
5. Cox School of Business (SMU) — Best for Finance and Dallas Career Access
SMU’s Cox School of Business is AACSB-accredited and positioned in University Park, Dallas — the heart of one of America’s most affluent corporate environments. Cox is particularly strong for finance, consulting, and technology careers in the DFW market.
Key Rankings and Facts
- AACSB-accredited since 1947
- Strong rankings for Full-Time and Part-Time MBA in US News
- SMU is an R1 university (Carnegie 2025) — adding research depth to business programs
- Top recruiters: Apple, Pfizer, Bank of Texas, JPMorgan Chase, Deloitte, AT&T
- 93% of SMU graduates employed within 2 years
- Median salary at 10 years: $73,000 — highest of any Texas private university
MBA Formats at Cox
- Full-Time MBA — Dallas campus; 21 months
- Professional MBA (Evening/Weekend) — Dallas and Plano; for working professionals
- Executive MBA — senior leaders; Dallas campus
- MS in Finance, MS in Business Analytics, MS in Management — specialized alternatives
Career Outcomes
Cox’s location in Dallas — the #1 U.S. metro for STEM jobs and home to major finance, technology, and consulting firms — creates strong recruiting pipelines. The Hegi Family Career Development Center connects Cox students with employers through on-campus recruiting, networking events, and alumni introductions throughout the program.
Tuition
Cox MBA total tuition runs approximately $60,000–$75,000 depending on format. SMU is need-aware for international applicants — students must demonstrate ability to contribute at least $40,000/year. Merit scholarships are automatically considered with the admissions application.
6. Naveen Jindal School of Management (UT Dallas) — Best Value MBA in DFW
UT Dallas’s Naveen Jindal School of Management is AACSB-accredited and offers 15 MBA concentrations — one of the broadest MBA specialization menus in Texas. Located in Richardson, UT Dallas is the only top-ranked school physically inside the DFW metroplex, giving students direct access to the region’s corporate employers, alumni base, and recruiting events without relocating. In-state tuition near $15,200 makes it one of the most affordable paths to a DFW-connected MBA.
Key Rankings and Facts
- AACSB-accredited
- 15 MBA concentrations — Business Analytics, Finance, Healthcare Management, IT Management, Marketing, Project Management, Strategy, Supply Chain, and more
- Double-degree options: MBA + MS in Information Technology and Management
- Online Executive MBA option for working professionals
- 4,300+ students placed in internships annually across the school
MBA Formats at Jindal
- Full-Time MBA — Richardson campus (inside DFW); flexible concentrations
- Part-Time MBA — evening format; Richardson; for DFW working professionals
- Online Executive MBA — 100% online; for senior professionals
- MS in Business Analytics — STEM-designated; popular alternative to traditional MBA for international students
Career Outcomes
Jindal’s DFW location is its strongest career advantage — students can complete internships and build employer relationships at Samsung, AT&T, Ericsson, Cisco, Texas Instruments, and hundreds of DFW companies while enrolled. The Telecom Corridor immediately surrounding UTD’s Richardson campus is one of the most concentrated technology employer clusters in the country.
Tuition — Best Value in Texas
With in-state tuition near $15,200/year and AES scholarship qualifying international students for in-state rates, UTD Jindal offers an AACSB-accredited MBA at a price point dramatically below its DFW competitors. Total MBA cost at UTD with AES scholarship: approximately $30,000–$45,000 — compared to $60,000–$75,000 at SMU Cox or $60,000–$70,000 at McCombs.
For International Students
Best value MBA option in Texas for international students. AES scholarship (apply by December 1) unlocks in-state tuition of ~$14,644/year. Business Analytics and Information Technology concentrations are STEM-designated. 36-month STEM OPT available for qualifying graduates. The large established Indian student community at UTD’s Richardson campus is an additional practical advantage for South Asian students.
7. Bauer College of Business (University of Houston) — Best For Energy Sector MBA
University of Houston’s C.T. Bauer College of Business is AACSB-accredited and ranked #25 nationally for Professional MBA among public schools (US News). Programs like UH Bauer offer significantly lower tuition than Rice Jones, but Rice’s institutional net price and post-graduation earnings can shift the ROI equation substantially.
Key Rankings and Facts
- #25 Professional MBA among public schools (US News)
- AACSB-accredited
- Located in Houston — home to 26 Fortune 500 headquarters
- Energy Finance and Energy Management specializations — unique to Houston’s economy
- Healthcare Management specialization — Texas Medical Center access
Career Outcomes
Bauer’s Houston location is its defining career advantage. No other Texas MBA program places graduates inside a city with 26 Fortune 500 headquarters, the world’s largest medical complex, and the highest volume of U.S. international trade by tonnage. For students targeting energy, healthcare, or international trade careers, Bauer’s location is genuinely irreplaceable.
Tuition
Total MBA tuition at Bauer ranges from approximately $30,000–$50,000 depending on residency status. International students may qualify for competitive scholarship waivers bringing tuition toward in-state rates of ~$13,506/year. Graduate TA/RA positions available in some concentrations.
8. Hankamer School of Business (Baylor) — Best For Entrepreneurship and Ethics
Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business is AACSB-accredited and one of the only Texas MBA programs that explicitly integrates entrepreneurship and ethics as core curriculum pillars — not electives. The Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University offers undergraduate, MBA, Executive MBA, and PhD programs. The school is known for its strong focus on entrepreneurship, ethics, and faith-based education.
Key Rankings and Facts
- AACSB-accredited since 1953
- Baylor University overall placement rate: 94.8% within 6 months
- Griggs Center for Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy — nationally recognized
- Wildcat Ventures program — students launch real businesses during their MBA
- Faith-integrated curriculum — unique among major Texas MBA programs
MBA Formats at Hankamer
- Full-Time MBA — Waco campus; entrepreneur and leadership focus
- MBA in Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation — distinctive specialization
- Online MBA — flexible format for working professionals
- Executive MBA — for senior professionals
Career Outcomes
Baylor’s location between Austin (100 miles) and Dallas (100 miles) gives MBA graduates access to both tech-forward Austin and corporate Dallas without living in either. Major recruiters include AT&T, Dell, KPMG, Deloitte, EY, and PwC. Waco’s lower cost of living (10% below national average) means MBA students can manage program costs more effectively than counterparts in Dallas or Houston.
Tuition
Hankamer MBA tuition runs approximately $50,000–$65,000 total. No application fee for international undergraduate students at Baylor (verify for MBA applicants). Merit scholarships are available through the holistic admissions process.
MBA Salary Expectations in Texas — By Industry (2026)
| Industry | Avg MBA Starting Salary (Texas) | Best MBA for This Industry |
|---|---|---|
| Technology (Austin/DFW) | $110,000–$130,000 | McCombs (UT Austin), Jindal (UTD) |
| Consulting | $115,000–$140,000 | McCombs, Rice Jones |
| Finance | $100,000–$130,000 | Rice Jones, Cox (SMU) |
| Energy (Houston) | $100,000–$140,000 | Rice Jones, Bauer (UH) |
| Healthcare Management | $90,000–$115,000 | Rice Jones (TMC), Bauer (UH) |
| Supply Chain / Operations | $90,000–$115,000 | Neeley (TCU), Mays (TAMU) |
| Entrepreneurship | Variable | Hankamer (Baylor) |
On average, Texas MBA graduates report salary increases of 30–50% within three years of graduation, with a median starting salary between $90,000 and $110,000.
Online vs Full-Time MBA in Texas — Which Is Right for You?
| Factor | Full-Time MBA | Online/Part-Time MBA |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Career switchers, maximizing network | Working professionals, lower opportunity cost |
| Duration | 21–24 months | 2–3 years (flexible pacing) |
| Cost | Higher (lost income + tuition) | Lower (continue earning during program) |
| Network Quality | Deeper cohort relationships | Employer network + alumni connections |
| Best Texas Option | McCombs, Rice Jones, Neeley | Mays (#1 Online), Jindal, Bauer |
| ROI Timeline | 4–6 years payback | 5–7 years (but no income gap) |
Choosing between an online and on-campus MBA in Texas feels like picking your own adventure. Part-time and online formats may extend this timeframe by one to two years, but offer immediate income stability. For international students on F-1 visas, full-time enrollment requirements under F-1 status make the full-time residential MBA the most straightforward format. Online programs may have specific enrollment rules for F-1 students — verify with your program’s DSO before enrolling.
Which Texas MBA Should You Choose?
| If Your Goal Is… | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Highest national prestige | McCombs (UT Austin) — #18 Full-Time MBA |
| Energy/finance career in Houston | Rice Jones — best energy/TMC access |
| Online MBA (working professional) | Mays (TAMU) — #1 Online MBA nationally |
| Best value in DFW (international) | Jindal (UTD) — in-state tuition with AES |
| Operations/supply chain career | Neeley (TCU) — #1 for Operations (Princeton Review) |
| Finance/consulting in Dallas | Cox (SMU) — highest 10-year median salary |
| Energy sector in Houston (affordable) | Bauer (UH) — #25 Professional MBA, public |
| Entrepreneurship + faith environment | Hankamer (Baylor) — Wildcat Ventures program |
| Highest salary outcomes | McCombs — $110,000–$130,000 avg starting |
| Best Aggie Network career access | Mays (TAMU) — $133,075 avg starting salary |
Final Thoughts
Texas has more AACSB-accredited MBA programs with strong career outcomes than almost any other state in the country — and the range of options, from McCombs’s #18 national ranking to UTD Jindal’s $15,200 in-state tuition, means there is a genuinely good fit for almost every budget and career goal. The key is matching the program to your specific industry target, budget, and career-switching or career-advancing intent.
For the complete guides on Texas universities and scholarships, see:
- Texas Universities with Full Scholarships 2026
- 10 Cheapest Texas Universities for International Students
- Best Texas Universities for Indian Students 2026
- F-1 Student Visa Guide for Texas Universities 2026
Have questions about Texas MBA programs or which school fits your profile? Drop them in the comments below.
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