They say everything is bigger in Texas. With an economy of $1.88 trillion and home to companies like AT&T, ExxonMobil, Dell, Phillips 66, and Haliburton, that’s certainly the case in terms of career options for budding MBAs. MBA programs in Texas can open doors and provide a tremendous wealth of networking opportunities – whether it’s a full-time MBA program or online MBA programs in Texas.
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You might be wondering is getting an MBA worth it? Well, an MBA can help you build leadership skills, develop technical skills, and create opportunities for career advancement. In fact, According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the potential impact of a master’s degree can be seen in dollars and cents. The BLS reported in 2019 that the median salary of a 25-year-old with a master’s was $77,844 compared to a $64,896 median salary for someone with just a bachelor’s degree.
But, when it comes to an MBA, the advanced degree’s value can be even higher. The fields with the biggest potential salary premiums are in business and finance. For example, in securities, commodities, and financial services, the median salary with a bachelor’s degree was $90,000. An MBA? it was $170,000.
So yes, the right degree in the right field can provide the skills, background, and credentials to take your career to the next level. Below we list some of the best MBA programs in Texas.
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Texas at Austin – McCombs School of Business | Austin, Texas |
| 2 | Texas A&M University – Mays Business School | College Station, Texas |
| 3 | The University of Texas at Dallas – Naveen Jindal School of Management | Richardson, Texas |
| 4 | Rice University – Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business | Houston, Texas |
| 5 | University of Houston – C. T. Bauer College of Business | Houston, Texas |
Best MBA Programs in Texas
The University of Texas at Austin – McCombs School of Business
Rated the #1 best value by U.S. News and World Report, the McCombs School of Business provides access to an extensive alumni network. According to the MBA brochure, the average starting salary for MBA graduates from McCombs is $119,036 a year, and the average signing bonus is $29,929. The program has received high marks for its culture and global reach. The Princeton Review rated the full-time Austin program #1 for Best MBA Campus Environment in 2018.
School Overview
Texas A&M University – Mays Business School
The Mays Business School offers an intensive 18-month program focused on providing students with an experiential learning experience. The school reports that 95% percent of their students find their next job before graduating and have an average starting salary of $104,000 – a 160% increase in pay compared to their salary when they enrolled. Mays has a wide alumni network, including having the most graduates of any school acting as CEOs in the top 100 of Fortune 500 companies.
School Overview
The University of Texas at Dallas – Naveen Jindal School of Management
The Naveen Jindal School of Management pairs students with an executive mentor and career coach dedicated to professional development. The program’s small size – 60 students – allows for a highly individualized 18-month program.
School Overview
Rice University – Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business
Located in Houston, the fourth-largest city in the U.S., the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business MBA provides students with access to some of the world’s largest companies. The program was rated as the #3 MBA for finance by The Princeton Review in 2020 and was ranked #8 for classroom experience.
School Overview
University of Houston – C. T. Bauer College of Business
Located in the energy capital of the U.S., the Bauer MBA provides students the opportunity to mold their MBA experience to fit their needs. A customizable program focused on experiential, real-world learning, the Bauer College of Business has plenty to offer prospective MBA students. Also, program graduates see an average salary increase of 48% after graduation.
School Overview
West Texas A&M University – College of Business
The West Texas A&M University MBA is AACSB accredited and geared toward the working professional. The program offers online asynchronous courses allowing for schedule flexibility. The program is an affordable option for those seeking an MBA and was ranked #7 by U.S. News and World Report for affordability.
School Overview
Southern Methodist University (SMU) – Cox School of Business
The Cox School of Business MBA is a diverse program that draws students from all over the world. The program features innovative curriculum students can customize to their unique needs. There is a strong ROI associated with the program as students report salaries of $114,000, with $27,000 signing bonuses.
School Overview
University of Texas at San Antonio – College of Business
The UTSA MBA provides an education focused on core business principles, including accounting, economics, finance management, management science, and marketing. The program is AACSB accredited and provides an intensive business education.
School Overview
The University of Texas at Arlington
Located in beautiful Arlington, Texas this University of Texas program provides the business acumen needed to advance and grow your career. Students develop an array of hard and soft skills including, leadership, teamwork, relationship building, and project management.
School Overview
Baylor University – Hankamer School of Business
The Hankamer School of Business MBA program offers a diverse classroom environment – 40 percent are women and 20 percent minorities. The small class sizes, on average 50 students, allows for focused, individualized attention. The program boasts a strong ROI, with 91% of MBA candidates landing a career-building job within 90 days of graduation.
School Overview
University of Houston – Clear Lake
The University of Houston-Clear Lake is an affordable MBA option. The school’s accelerated program allows students to complete their MBA in just 14 months, quicker than many MBA programs. The school also allows applicants to waive the GMAT. The average salary for graduates is $74,247 annually. The program provides a strong focus on marketing, human resources, finance, organizational behavior, and leadership.
School Overview
Texas Christian University – Neeley School of Business
TCU’s MBA program offers students plenty of opportunities to attain real-world, practical experience. For example, students manage the $1.5 million Educational Investment Fund and compete in national case competitions while working with Neeley & Associates Consulting clients. TCU also offers an accelerated program that can be completed in just 12 months. Concentrations include finance, supply and value chain management, marketing, or students can focus on industries such as energy, health care, real estate, entrepreneurship, or consulting.
School Overview
Texas State University – McCoy Graduate School of Business
The Texas State MBA provides prepares students for potential leadership opportunities in a wide array of industries. The program focuses on critical thinking, experiential learning, and professional development. Program concentrations include: Computer Information Systems, Engineering Technology, Health Administration, Human Resource Management, International Business, and Supply Chain Management.
School Overview
University of Dallas – Gupta College of Business
The University of Dallas MBA also online and onsite options. It’s 30-hour program consists of 10 classes covering business and leadership topics. The program is AACSB accredited and has several available concentrations.
School Overview
University of Houston – Downtown (UHD) – Davies College
Located in downtown Houston, the Davies College MBA provides students with creative, innovative means to succeed. The school’s General Management MBA track focuses on management and operations.
School Overview
Texas Southern University – Jesse H. Jones School of Business
The Jesse H. Jones School Business MBA is geared to students who wish to take the next step in their current career or become equipped for new career opportunities. The MBA provides a broad array of business knowledge related to finance, accounting, economics, marketing, operations, statistics, and business law. The program also instills strategic and analytical thinking to solve real-world business issues.
School Overview
Texas A&M University – Commerce
The Texas A&M – Commerce MBA focuses on preparing its students for the business world, no matter their industry. Its website states, “Whether your passion is social media, basketball, or starting your own company, every industry needs accountants, marketers, managers, financial analysts and data, analytics professionals.” Graduates gain access to a large, global professional network. The program’s foundation courses including business communications, business finance, principles of microeconomics, and macroeconomics. The core finance courses including global operations management and global business strategy.
School Overview
St. Edward’s University – The Bill Munday School of Business
St. Edward’s University MBA helps students build practical skills to prepare them for the next phase of their careers. Located in Austin’s dynamic community, the program provides students with an opportunity to work with many Austin organizations, including Capital Factory, Impact Hub Austin, and many more. Students complete a capstone. Working with local and global organizations on a consulting project meant to showcase their business knowledge while providing strategic services.
School Overview
University of St. Thomas – Cameron School of Business
The UST Master in Business Administration program provides flexible scheduling that allows students the chance to earn an MBA in a year. The program is designed with working professionals in mind. The program provides tremendous opportunities to network with some of Houston’s best and biggest employers. UST is Houston’s only Catholic university, and Catholic social values inform the core curriculum. Students learn to pursue their careers while doing so with a conscience.
School Overview
Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) – College of Business
The Prairie View A&M University – College of Business MBA is geared toward providing students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in profit and not-for-profit organizations. The program is AACSB accredited and a relatively affordable MBA option.
School Overview
Texas A&M International University – Sanchez School of Business
This program is AACSB accredited and designed to hone students’ financial and strategic planning skills. The program focuses on providing students with the proper skills to analyze financial and market variables to create compelling marketing plans. Students also examine a variety of business scenarios, determining the best managerial approach.
School Overview
Houston Baptist University Archie W. Dunham College of Business
The HBU Archie W. Dunham College of Business takes pride in creating conscientious business leaders. The MBA program incorporates financial principles and global concerns, along with Christian ethics. Students leave equipped with sound management skills, aptly adjust to a changing business climate. HBU stresses individual focus and attention for students and small workgroups, delivering a personalized learning experience. The program offers the following tracks:
Entrepreneurship Track
General Management Track
International Business Track
Marketing Track
Organizational Development and Change Track
School Overview
Concordia University Texas
The Conordia University Texas MBA does not require applicants to take the GRE or the GMAT. The program provides faith and values-based instruction by instructors with real-world business experience.
School Overview
Texas A&M University – Texarkana
The A&M Texarkana MBA provides a unique experience for students through its partners with local organizations and businesses. Those partnerships helped design some of the courses to ensure student readiness upon graduation.
School Overview
Lamar University
The MBA Program at Lamar University leverages local resources in providing students a unique MBA experience. The university has teamed up with Leadership Beaumont, Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, and SETX YPO to offer workshops and networking. This MBA program blends active, experiential learning and professional development to help students reach their full potential. The Lamar University MBA emphasizes real-world problem solving and the development of leadership and teamwork skills.
