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McCombs School of Business – The University of Texas at Austin

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CLASS SIZE 241
FEMALE 35%
MEAN GMAT 704
MEAN GPA 3.46

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.

texas austin mba technology

FAQ

What is the tuition for McCombs’ MBA program?

The tuition for McCombs MBA is $58,270 for out-of-state first-year students and $52,550 for in-state residents.

How hard is it to get into McCombs’ MBA program?

The acceptance rate for McCombs is 28.5% 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 $144,564. 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 10, 2023. The Round 2 application deadline is January 5, 2024. The Round 3 deadline is March 26, 2024. The added Round 4 deadline is May 9, 2024.

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. Connecting with current students is also encouraged.

Videos

Dean Mills Congratulates the Class of 2022

Dean Mills Congratulates the Class of 2022

MBA Leading for Impact Class | McCombs School of Business

The Leading for Impact class in the McCombs School of Business MBA program pairs MBA students with non-profit organizations to help those companies scale. Students talk about their experience working with Austin Pets Alive. #WhyMcCombs Learn more about the program- https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/MBA/Evening/Beyond-the-Classroom

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 and April. In the 2022-2023 admissions season, McCombs added a Round 4 deadline in May. The McCombs admissions committee requires candidates to submit essays, employment history, GMAT, GRE or EA scores, official transcripts from all collegiate and post-collegiate institutions attended, one letter of recommendation, a $200 application fee and, if applicable, TOEFL 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 seven question prompts and applicants will have 3 minutes to answer each prompt. For the optional Admissions Connection, MBA applicants can meet virtually with an MBA student 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
  • Test Scores, GMAT/GRE/EA, TOEFL/IELTS
  • Official Transcripts
  • Personal Essay
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • Video Assessment
  • McCombs Admissions Connection (optional)

Essay Topic Analysis

Need help with your essays? Get our experts' advice.

Interview Reports

Mccombs Q&As

UT Austin / McCombs LiveWire and DecisionWire

MBA LiveWire

October 26, 2023 6:02pm ET
Interview Invite to UT Austin / McCombs
Round: Round 1
Received via email
GPA: 3.07
GRE: 323
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Entrepreneurship
Application Location: NYC
Note:

submitted application 9/28, optional peer interview

July 10, 2023 4:50pm ET
Waitlisted at UT Austin / McCombs
Round: Round 3
Received via n/a
GRE: 330
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Note:

Any update on McCombs waitlist status? I received an interest form a few weeks back but nothing else to date. Does anyone have any updates?

June 14, 2023 11:41pm ET
Accepted to UT Austin / McCombs
Round: Round 4
Received via phone on June 08, 2023
GPA: 3.72
GRE: 316
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Consulting
Application Location: USA
June 8, 2023 11:28am ET
Accepted to UT Austin / McCombs
Round: Round 4
Received via phone June 8, 2023
GPA: 3.82
GRE: 318
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Finance
Application Location: USA
May 27, 2023 7:03pm ET
Accepted from Waitlist to UT Austin / McCombs
Round: Round 2
Received via email on May 24, 2023
GMAT: 720
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Technology
Application Location: China
May 25, 2023 2:35pm ET
Accepted from Waitlist to UT Austin / McCombs
Round: Round 2
Received via email on May 22, 2023
GMAT: 710
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Technology
Application Location: India
May 22, 2023 1:32pm ET
Accepted from Waitlist to UT Austin / McCombs
Round: Round 2
Received via portal May 22, 2023
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
May 4, 2023 12:37pm ET
Accepted to UT Austin / McCombs
Round: Round 3
Received via phone May 4, 2023
GPA: 3.2
GRE: 330
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Consulting
Application Location: NYC
Note:

Got call at 12:30 ET.

MBA DecisionWire

CBS
November 14, 2023 5:16pm ET
Enrolled: Columbia
Admitted: U. Chicago Booth , Columbia , Northwestern / Kellogg
Applied: U. Chicago Booth, Columbia, Northwestern / Kellogg
Entering Year: 2022
Post MBA Career: Other
GRE: 329
GPA: 3.9
Location: Chicago
Chi
November 14, 2023 12:09pm ET
Enrolled: U. Chicago Booth
Admitted: U. Chicago Booth
Applied: U. Chicago Booth
Entering Year: 2023
Post MBA Career: Consumer Goods Companies: Other
GMAT: 700
GPA: 3.2
Location: HK
Klg
November 2, 2023 3:42pm ET
Enrolled: Northwestern / Kellogg
Admitted: Northwestern / Kellogg $
$62000
Applied: Northwestern / Kellogg
Entering Year: 2024
Post MBA Career: Consumer Goods Companies: PepsiCo
GPA: 3.69
Location: Chicago
Notes:

Applicant lab was my best friend for essay and interview prep! Connecting with executive board members in clubs I aspire to join throughout application process. Attending every flavor of admissions event to gather full picture of campus culture.

Fuq
November 2, 2023 5:23am ET
Enrolled: Duke / Fuqua
Admitted: Duke / Fuqua $
$60,000
,
UVA / Darden $
$80,000
Applied: Duke / Fuqua, UVA / Darden
Entering Year: 2024
Post MBA Career: Pharmaceutical Companies: Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Pfizer, Roche
GRE: 314
GPA: 3.4
Location: NC

Academics

Faculty

McCombs employs over 220 full-time faculty members across six academic departments. In addition to teaching courses, this group of scholars and practitioners directs 21 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 late 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. The MBA program also allows for six hours of elective coursework to be taken at other University of Texas schools, such as the LBJ School of Public Affairs or the School of Law.

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, Cuba, 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 2.5-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 2-year Executive MBA program on the UT Austin campus.

There are 12 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 Finance
  • 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

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 2022, for instance, McCombs held its tenth 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 Elevate: Diversity and Inclusion Conference, where students meet successful business leaders and learn about how companies are embedding D&I into their futures and cultures.

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.

Career Statistics

The average starting salary for members of the Class of 2022 was $144,564, the highest in the school’s history. The average signing bonus accepted by recent graduates was $31,178. Roughly 32% of graduates joined the tech industry. Consulting followed at 30%. Nearly 18% pursued roles in the finance field and roughly 4% each joined real estate or energy/utilities.

About 71% of 2022 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. Twelve percent of graduates opted for positions in the Western U.S. and 7% settled in the Northeast. Nearly five percent headed to the Southern U.S. and nearly four percent to the Midwest.

Financing

The tuition for the 2023-2024 academic year is $58,270 for out-of-state first-year students and $52,550 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 $82,738 in that time, with in-state entrants paying $77,018.

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 $52,550
  • Out-of-State $58,270

Room & Board $17,270
Books & Supplies $1,034
Transportation $1,682
Personal/Misc. $4,482

Total

  • In-State $77,018
  • Out-of-State $82,738

Contact

Mailing Address:
1 University Station, B6000
Austin, Texas 78712-1178
Phone: 512-471-5921
Fax: 512-471-3034
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mccombs.utexas.edu
Blog: http://blogs.mccombs.utexas.edu/mba-insider/
Twitter: @UTexasMBA