Phillip EdwinTexas is home to a premier selection of MBA programs, featuring a top-20 nationally ranked flagship and a diverse array of other highly respected public and private institutions. According to the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings, the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business leads the state at No. 18 nationally and has held a top-20 position for 22 consecutive years.
Following closely are UT Dallas at No. 23, Rice University at No. 29, and a tie between Southern Methodist University and Texas A&M University at No. 36 . These programs offer strong return on investment, with graduates from top schools earning average starting salaries well over $100,000 .
Top 15 MBA Schools In Texas
1. University of Texas at Austin (McCombs School of Business)
McCombs is the top-ranked MBA program in Texas, holding the No. 18 spot nationally and No. 4 among public universities in the current U.S. News rankings. The program is renowned for its strength in Information Systems, where it is tied for No. 1 in the nation, and also holds top-10 rankings in Accounting (No. 6), Real Estate (No. 8), and Business Analytics (No. 9). It offers Full-Time, Part-Time (ranked No. 6), and Executive MBA (ranked No. 16) formats . In-state tuition for the full-time program is approximately $53,818 per year.
2. University of Texas at Dallas (Naveen Jindal School of Management)
UT Dallas is a powerhouse in business education, ranked No. 23 nationally for its full-time MBA and No. 1 in Texas for its online MBA program, which holds the No. 10 spot in the nation. The Jindal School is highly customizable, offering strong concentrations in supply chain management, IT management, and business analytics, with AACSB accreditation. Its Professional MBA Online is an asynchronous program that provides a flexible, research-backed education for working professionals . Tuition for in-state residents is highly competitive at $15,409 per year.
3. Rice University (Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business)
Rice Business is a prestigious program ranked No. 29 nationally, with an in-state tuition of $76,073 per year . It is particularly celebrated for its entrepreneurship education, having held the No. 1 ranking from 2018 to 2025 in Entrepreneurship magazine, and is known for its strong career outcomes . The full-time MBA boasts an average starting salary of $150,000 for its graduates, with 71% receiving signing bonuses . It offers a STEM-designated online MBA, MBA@Rice, ranked #5 Best Online MBA by The Princeton Review (2026) and Poets&Quants (2025) .
4. Southern Methodist University (Cox School of Business)
SMU Cox is a top-tier private business school tied at No. 36 nationally, with an in-state tuition of $51,337 per year. The school utilizes a “NextGen Curriculum” focused on Leadership, Analytics, and Experiential Learning to prepare students for the modern business world . Its alumni network spans more than 80 countries, providing graduates with a strong international professional community. Full-time MBA graduates earn a median of $78,354 a decade after enrolling, reflecting a strong return on investment .
5. Texas A&M University (Mays Business School)
Texas A&M’s Mays Business School is tied at No. 36 nationally and is a major public institution with a peer assessment score of 3.7. It offers a wide range of MBA programs, including Full-Time, Professional, and Executive formats, and is particularly recognized for its outstanding online programs, securing the No. 1 spot in the recent U.S. News Online Master’s ranking . The school offers various business master’s programs in accounting, analytics, finance, and management .
6. Baylor University (Hankamer School of Business)
Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business offers a comprehensive MBA with more than 90% of graduates securing a job within 90 days of graduation, earning an average starting salary of $104,000. The program allows students to customize their degree with concentrations in Business Analytics, Cybersecurity, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, and Healthcare Administration, and offers dual degree options. Tuition is $31,000 per semester.
7. Texas Christian University (Neeley School of Business)
TCU’s Neeley School of Business is a well-regarded private institution in Fort Worth, with in-state tuition of $59,670 per year for its full-time MBA program and a peer assessment score of 2.2. The school offers a range of MBA programs and is known for its strong business community and leadership development.
8. University of North Texas (Ryan College of Business)
UNT’s Ryan College of Business offers a highly affordable full-time MBA program with in-state tuition totaling just $17,200 for the entire program. This makes it an excellent value for students seeking a quality AACSB-accredited education in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
9. Texas State University (McCoy College of Business)
Texas State’s McCoy College offers a Flex MBA program that ranked No. 98 nationally and No. 9 in Texas in the 2026 U.S. News part-time MBA rankings, rising 33 spots since 2023. The program is highly customizable, allowing students to attend either full-time or part-time and change formats as their needs evolve .
10. Texas Woman’s University (Merrilee Alexander Kick College of Business)
TWU’s Merrilee Alexander Kick College of Business is an AACSB-accredited institution whose online MBA program is ranked 10th among Texas public universities by U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 “Best Online Programs” listing. The college is known for its supportive community and small class sizes.
11. University of Dallas
The University of Dallas offers an MBA program where graduates earn a median of $58,285 a decade after enrolling. It is a private Catholic university in Irving, known for its strong focus on social mobility and value in business education.
12. Concordia University Texas
Concordia University Texas in Austin offers an MBA program where graduates earn a median of $60,883 ten years after graduation, which is 2% above the list average. The program is recognized for its focus on social mobility.
13. Dallas Baptist University
Dallas Baptist University offers an MBA program where graduates earn a median of $56,807 a decade after enrolling. It is a private Christian university in Dallas with a focus on values-based business education.
14. Angelo State University
Angelo State University in San Angelo offers a highly affordable MBA program with a net price of just $15,091 . Graduates earn a median of $50,116 a decade after enrolling .
15. Tarleton State University
Tarleton State University in Stephenville offers an MBA program with a net price of $20,783 and graduates earning a median of $53,040 a decade after enrolling. It is a public university with a focus on accessibility and strong social mobility outcomes.
Comparison Table
| No | School Name | Location | U.S. News Rank (Full‑Time) | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UT Austin (McCombs) | Austin | #18 (tie) | #1 Information Systems, #1 in Texas, top‑5 public |
| 2 | UT Dallas (Jindal) | Richardson | #23 | #1 Online MBA in TX, strong STEM focus |
| 3 | Rice University (Jones) | Houston | #29 | #1 Entrepreneurship, $150k avg starting salary |
| 4 | SMU (Cox) | Dallas | #36 (tie) | NextGen Curriculum, global alumni network |
| 5 | Texas A&M (Mays) | College Station | #36 (tie) | #1 Online Master’s Just Recently, top public business school |
| 6 | Baylor (Hankamer) | Waco | N/A | 90% job placement, $104k avg starting salary |
| 7 | Texas Christian (Neeley) | Fort Worth | N/A | Private school, strong leadership focus |
| 8 | University of North Texas (Ryan) | Denton | N/A | Most affordable full‑time program, $17,200 total |
| 9 | Texas State (McCoy) | San Marcos | #98 Part‑Time | #9 in TX for Part‑Time MBA, customizable format |
| 10 | Texas Woman’s University | Denton | N/A | #10 Online MBA among TX public universities |
| 11 | University of Dallas | Irving | N/A | Private Catholic, strong social mobility |
| 12 | Concordia University Texas | Austin | N/A | High earnings, social mobility focus |
| 13 | Dallas Baptist University | Dallas | N/A | Faith‑based, values education |
| 14 | Angelo State University | San Angelo | N/A | Most affordable net price, $15,091 |
| 15 | Tarleton State University | Stephenville | N/A | Accessible public option, strong social mobility |
Start by determining which program format best suits your career stage and lifestyle. If you are looking for a traditional, full-time experience, UT Austin, Rice, UT Dallas, and SMU are top-tier choices with strong national rankings.
For working professionals, the part-time and online MBA options at McCombs (#6 in the nation), UT Dallas (#1 online in Texas), and Texas State (#9 in Texas) offer exceptional flexibility and recognition.
Consider your specialization interests, as McCombs excels in Information Systems and Analytics, while Rice is a leader in Entrepreneurship.
Evaluate the total cost of attendance and the potential return on investment. Schools like UNT provide a quality MBA for just $17,200 in-state, while private institutions like Rice offer higher starting salaries but at a much steeper tuition cost.
Closing
Texas offers a world-class and diverse MBA landscape, anchored by the top-ranked McCombs School of Business at UT Austin and featuring a strong mix of public and private institutions that rank among the best in the nation. The state’s business schools provide a wide range of program formats, from full-time to flexible online options, catering to students at every career stage and with various professional goals.
With a robust job market and the presence of a thriving business community, Texas MBA graduates have access to significant career opportunities and earning potential. Note that all information, including rankings and tuition, is subject to change, so it is essential to verify current details directly with each school.