McCombs School of Business – The University of Texas at Austin
The McCombs School of Business is located near the center of the University of Texas at Austin’s campus. McCombs offers a full-time MBA program in addition to three part-time programs and an Executive MBA. Key features of the McCombs MBA program include a flexible curriculum with a broad range of concentrations, as well as a highly collaborative student culture. McCombs also has a history of placing a comparatively high percentage of graduates into post-MBA careers in the technology and energy industries.
FAQ
What is the tuition for McCombs’ MBA program?
For the 2024-2025 academic year, the tuition for McCombs MBA is $59,684 for out-of-state first-year students and $53,818 for in-state residents.
How hard is it to get into McCombs’ MBA program?
The acceptance rate for McCombs is 37.9% It is important to consider the acceptance rate in the context of the student profile of those who are admitted. For example the average GMAT score is 704.
What is the average GMAT score for admission to McCombs' MBA program?
The average GMAT score for the incoming class at McCombs is 704.
Does the McCombs MBA program accept the GRE?
Yes. The McCombs MBA program has accepted the GRE for a few years now.
What is the average GRE score for admission to McCombs' MBA program?
The average GRE scores for the incoming class at McCombs are 160 Verbal, 161 Quant.
What is the minimum number of years of work experience required for admission to McCombs' MBA program?
McCombs does not state a minimum requirement for years of work experience. However, it is important for candidates to be aware that they are being considered against other candidates with an average of 5.9 years of experience.
What is the average number of years of work experience for admission to McCombs' MBA program? (or, What is the average age of a McCombs student?)
The average number of years of work experience among students in McCombs' MBA program is 5.9. The average age of a McCombs MBA student is 29 years.
What is the average starting salary for graduates of the McCombs MBA program?
The average starting salary for McCombs' MBA graduates is is $157,735. The salary will vary by industry, with consulting and finance jobs generally commanding the higher salaries.
How long is McCombs' full-time MBA program?
McCombs offers a traditional 2 year MBA program.
What are the application deadlines for McCombs' full-time MBA program?
The Round 1 MBA application deadline is October 15, 2024. The Round 2 application deadline is January 15, 2025. The Round 3 deadline is April 1, 2025. The Round 4 deadline is May 15, 2025.
What percent of McCombs' MBA students are women?
The percentage of the class at McCombs that are women is 35%.
What type of interview does McCombs use for MBA admissions?
All MBA applicants to McCombs complete a video assessment in lieu of the standard interview. However, McCombs encourages its applicants to take advantage of the optional virtual Admissions Connection offered in addition to the video assessment.
Admissions
The Class Profile
The McCombs MBA Class of 2025 numbers 241 students. They earned an average GPA of 3.46 during their undergrad years. Thirty-five percent had majored in business/commerce. Thirty-two percent pursued STEM degrees and 13 percent had majored in humanities. Their average GMAT score landed at 704. The average GRE score was 160 Verbal, 161 Quant.
Twenty-six percent of the MBA Class of 2025 are international. The average age of students in the incoming class was 29 at the time of matriculation, and students worked an average of 5.9 years before starting the MBA program. Finally, women make up 35% of the first-year class.
Application Procedures
Applicants may apply to McCombs during one of three admissions rounds, which usually occur in October, January, April, and May. The McCombs admissions committee requires candidates to submit essays, employment history, GMAT, GRE, or EA scores (waivers available), official transcripts from all collegiate and post-collegiate institutions attended, a video assessment, one letter of recommendation, a $200 application fee and, if applicable, TOEFL or IELTS scores. After applicants submit their applications and pay the fee, they receive invitations to complete the video assessment (in lieu of the standard interview process). Applicants have seven days to complete the assessment upon receiving access to the video submission platform. There will be four question prompts and applicants will have 90 seconds to answer each prompt. For the optional Admissions Connection, MBA applicants can interview virtually with an MBA student who will ask three questions, and then allow the applicant to ask questions about the program/student experience, address items about their candidacy that are not addressed elsewhere, and align on the next steps in the application process.
Students who have demonstrated an interest in promoting diversity in business may also apply to McCombs through the Consortium for Graduates Study in Management.
Application Checklist
- Online Application
- Application Fee of $200
- Resume
- Test Scores, GMAT/GRE/EA, TOEFL/IELTS
- Official Transcripts
- Personal Essays & Optional Statement
- Video Assessment
- Letter of Recommendation
- McCombs Admissions Connection (optional)
Essay Topic Analysis
Recommendation Questions
UT Austin / McCombs Q&A's
UT Austin / McCombs LiveWire and DecisionWire
Academics
Faculty
McCombs employs over 350 faculty members across six academic departments. In addition to teaching courses, this group of scholars and practitioners directs 23 research centers and initiatives, which range in focus from entrepreneurship to business technology and law.
Curriculum
Upon entering the program, first-year McCombs students are separated into cohorts of ~65 students with whom they complete their core classes. Each cohort is further divided into study teams of four to six students each. Professors use a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, case studies, simulations and experiential-based learning.
First-year students attend a mandatory orientation before starting classes that consists of a program overview, faculty presentations, an executive challenge and an outdoor adventure day, among other activities. McCombs follows a two-semester academic calendar, with classes running from mid-August to early December and from mid-January to early May; graduation takes place soon thereafter. Within the academic year, students have short breaks for holidays such as Thanksgiving, with a month-long break between semesters. MBA students are required to take 11 core courses during their first year of study. The core covers foundational business principles in accounting, economics, marketing, statistics, operations and management. In the spring semester, students can begin customizing their academic experience by choosing two elective courses.
In the second year of the MBA program, students complete five electives each semester. Students may choose to pursue one of 23 academic concentrations, which allow them to tailor their studies to topics ranging from High Technology Marketing to Public and Governmental Affairs.
McCombs offers an array of study abroad opportunities. Through the Global Connections Study Tours, for instance, students participate in a spring semester course that concludes in an eight- to ten-day tour of a key international business destination. Examples of recent destinations include China, Argentina, India, South Africa, and Southeast Asia. Students can gain further global exposure by studying abroad at one of McCombs’ 15 international exchange partner institutions.
Other MBA Degree Options
In addition to its 2-year full-time MBA program, McCombs offers three part-time MBA programs: a 2-year evening program in Austin, a 2-year program located in Dallas/Fort Worth and a 2-year program in Houston. McCombs also hosts a 20-month Executive MBA program on the UT Austin campus.
There are 11 dual degree programs available to MBA students in conjunction with other schools at the University of Texas at Austin. McCombs offers a four-year MBA/JD program with the School of Law, as well as a variety of three-year MBA/MA programs. These include an MBA/Master of Arts in Energy and Earth Resources with the Jackson School of Geosciences, and an MBA/Master of Global Policy Studies with the LBJ School of Public Affairs, among others.
Concentrations at McCombs
- Accounting for Investment Banking*
- Corporate Accounting*
- Finance (General)*
- Corporate Finance*
- Investment Management*
- Energy Finance*
- Real Estate Finance*
- Private Equity*
- Social Enterprise
- Entrepreneurship
- Global Business
- CleanTech*
- Healthcare
- Information Management*
- Business Analytics*
- Supply Chain & Operations Management*
- Management (General)
- Strategy and Innovation
- Brand and Product Management*
- High Technology Marketing*
- Marketing Analytics and Consulting*
- Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
- Public and Governmental Affairs
*STEM-designated
Degree Offerings at McCombs
Full-Time MBA
https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/graduate/mba/full-time-mba/
Evening MBA
Austin
https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/graduate/mba/evening-mba/
Part-time MBA
Dallas, Houston, Austin
https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/graduate/mba/mba-at-dallas-fort-worth/
https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/graduate/mba/mba-at-houston/
Executive MBA
https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/graduate/mba/executive-mba/
Dual Degrees
MBA/JD, MBA/MA in Asian Studies, MBA/MA in Communication, MBA/MA in Energy & Earth Resources, MBA/Master of Global Policy Studies, MBA/Master of Mechanical Engineering, MBA/MA in Latin American Studies, MBA/MA in Middle Eastern Studies, MBA/MA in Public Affairs, MBA/MSSW in Social Work, MBA/MA in Russian, Eastern European, and Eurasian Studies
https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/MBA/Full-Time/Curriculum
Campus Life
Clubs, Conferences & Competitions
McCombs offers students many ways to get involved outside of the classroom. There are approximately 45 club offerings that cover an array of professional and social interests. For example, the Graduate Finance Association (GFA) hosts panels, trainings, networking opportunities and other events to help members prepare for post-MBA careers in finance. The GFA also organizes one of the most popular case competitions at McCombs, the Annual MBA Finance Challenge, which spans three days and features student presentations of solutions to a complex financial case study. Another popular McCombs group is the International MBA Association, or IMBASA. IMBASA offers international and U.S. students a chance to share their cultures and helps students examine the opportunities offered by global business. The club’s International Night is the biggest event on campus, with almost 1,000 attendees enjoying food, cultural activities and entertainment from countries represented by the MBA class.
Students at McCombs can also attend a variety of conferences each year. In October, for instance, McCombs holds its annual Marketing Conference. The two-day event focuses on the importance of brand authenticity to build customer loyalty. McCombs also plays host to the annual Graduate Women in Business Leadership Conference, which is run by the University of Texas McCombs Graduate Women in Business Club.
Campus Space
The McCombs School of Business is located in the Graduate School of Business (GSB), which lies just west of the center of the University of Texas at Austin’s campus. The GSB is comprised of three buildings, six floors and an array of technologically equipped classrooms. Among these are the AIM Investment Center, a part of the EDS Financial Trading and Technology Center, which features an LED ticker flashing the latest stock prices. A favorite spot for students to congregate is the Atrium, an area illuminated by a large skylight that often serves as a venue for conferences, fairs and networking events. On-campus apartments are available to graduate students, though MBA students have many off-campus housing options available to them in Austin.
MBA Careers
Career Services
The MBA Career Management staff at McCombs offer students one-on-one assistance with cover letters, résumés and interviews. MBA entrants are required to take the course Strategic Career Planning in their first year, which helps them refine their career goals early on in the MBA experience. MBA Career Management hosts numerous networking opportunities for students such as career fairs, student treks and corporate-sponsored academic competitions. Furthermore, recruiting events including on-campus interviews and information sessions occur on a regular basis. Interviews for second-year MBA students seeking full-time positions begin in mid-September. Interviews for first-year MBA students seeking internships begin in January.
Career Statistics
The average starting salary for members of the Class of 2023 was $157,735, the highest in the school’s history. The average signing bonus accepted by recent graduates was $32,915. Forty-three percent joined the consulting industry followed by 16% going into financial services. Fifteen percent pursued roles in tech and 6% entered consumer goods.
About 69% of 2023 graduates found employment in the Southwestern U.S., following the general trend of business school graduates securing post-MBA jobs in the region in which their school is located. Roughly 13% of graduates opted for positions in the Northeast U.S. and nearly 7% settled in the West. Roughly five percent headed to the Midwest.
Financing
The tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year is $59,684 for out-of-state first-year students and $53,818 for in-state residents. Given additional expenses such as orientation fees, housing, books and laptop costs, McCombs estimates that out-of-state students will pay $84,605 in that time, with in-state entrants paying $78,739.
McCombs offers merit-based scholarships that are one- to two-year awards ranging from $2,000 to full tuition and are open to all students. First-year students are automatically considered for these scholarships and they do not need to fill out any extra forms. During the first year, MBA students have the opportunity to apply for additional merit-based awards sponsored by individual and corporate donors. These MBA Continuing Student Scholarships award over $100,000 to students based on their first-semester academic performance. U.S. citizens and permanent residents can further finance their education through federal loans, while international students are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office about their loan options.
Two-Year Program Tuition (per year)
Tuition & Fees
- In-State $53,818
- Out-of-State $59,684
Room & Board $17,300
Books & Supplies $1,247
Transportation $1,740
Personal/Misc. $4,634
Totals
In-State $78,739
Out-of-State $84,604
Recent News
Contact
Mailing Address:
1 University Station, B6000
Austin, Texas 78712-1178
Phone: 512-471-5921
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mccombs.utexas.edu
Blog: http://blogs.mccombs.utexas.edu/mba-insider/
Twitter: @UTexasMBA