UT Austin, McCombs’ host institution, is often referred to as the “Harvard of Texas”. Although McCombs has a strong reputation in Texas, many of its graduates go on to work in other locations after the MBA, including 17% on the West Coast. UT Austin also has a large alumni network, and their pride in being associated with the school is exemplified by their “Hook ‘em Horns” greetings and gestures.
McCombs is also a great program for those of you interested in the tech and venture capital industries. The school’s Fellows Program places students at companies in various sectors, but the venture capital sector truly stands out. This program gives you the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with local venture capital firms.
Another factor to take into account is McCombs’ location in the city of Austin. Not only is the city affordable, its large venture capital and tech presence is easily accessible from campus. McCombs also has great connections to Houston and its traditional oil and gas and renewable energy markets.
| Class Size | 220 |
| Acceptance Rate | Does not disclose |
| GMAT Average | 706 |
| GPA Average | 3.48 |
| Average Age | 29 |
| Avg. Years Work Experience | 5.7 |
| Diversity Women | 35 |
| Diversity Intl. | 28 |
| Pre-MBA Industries | Does not disclose |
| Undergraduate Majors | STEM: 40% Business/Econ: 33% Humanities: 15% Other Majors: 13% |
The data above is from 2022 and represents the McCombs MBA class of 2024.
See the full report: UT Austin McCombs MBA Class Profile
In addition to the information below, learn more about the McCombs MBA Employment Outcomes and Career Center from our interview with the Admissions Director.
| Salary Average | $158,007.00 |
| Offers Upon Graduation | 85 |
| Offers At 3 Mos. | 94 |
| Post-MBA Industries | Consulting: 22.7% Technology: 34.1% Financial Services: 16.6% Consumer Products: 5.7% Energy/Utilities: 5.7% Travel/Transportation: 3.8% Retail: 3.3% Healthcare: 2.8% Real Estate: 2.8% Other: 2.4% |
| Post-MBA Locations | United States: 96.7% Mid-Atlantic: 2.4% Midwest: 6.6% Northeast: 5.2% South: 3.3% Southwest: 65.9% West: 13.3% Non-US: 3.3% |
| Post-MBA Companies | Does not disclose |
| Career Development Resources |
The data above is from 2021 and represents the career statistics of the McCombs MBA class of 2021.*
See the full report: UT Austin McCombs MBA Employment Report
The UT Austin McCombs MBA curriculum extends over the fall and spring semesters of year one and year two. The second year of the program consists only of elective courses. Students take classes from the core curriculum during the first year of the program, and a majority of these classes are concentrated in the fall semester. Some of the foundational courses cover topics in subject areas like Financial Accounting, Microeconomics, Statistics, and Strategic Management. You will begin taking electives during the spring semester of the first year of the MBA. The 100+ elective course offerings include classes in subject areas such as Marketing, Information, Risk, and Operations Management, and Business, Government, and Society.
See the full offering of courses: McCombs MBA Course Catalog
In lieu of majors, UT Austin McCombs offers its students a range of concentrations to pursue as part of their degree. The following concentrations are available in the MBA.
The experiential learning curriculum at McCombs has a strong emphasis on social innovation and impact. Students can get involved in one of the several groups on campus, such as the CleanTech group and the MBA Impact Investing Networking and Training group. McCombs also offers the opportunity for you to gain hands-on industry experience through their Fellows Program, which covers a wide range of sectors such as Marketing and Operations. In addition, the program offers students the opportunity to participate in coaching, seminars and events, and micro-consulting projects.
At McCombs, students can take advantage of the diverse range of the 19 research centers that are part of the business school, including the Center for Leadership and Ethics, the Center for Risk Management and Insurance, the Financial Education and Research Center, the Real Estate Center, and the Healthcare Innovation Initiative.
There are four major components to the McCombs international study program. Students can choose to complete a course focused on a foreign country, which also includes a one to two-week tour, or students can opt for a Global Connections Study Tour, an international trip in July before the MBA program begins through the McCombs Adventure Program. McCombs also offers double-degree programs with seven international top business schools. Additionally, students can go on an exchange abroad for an entire semester or a shorter period of time.
We interviewed Rodrigo Malta, the admissions director at McCombs, about what they seek in MBA candidates. Learn more at A Look Inside McCombs MBA Admissions (with Video Essay Tips!).
The latest application requirements set by the McCombs MBA admissions office are described below.
Here are the prompts for McCombs’s 2022-2023 application:
Picture yourself at graduation. Describe how you spent your time as a Texas McCombs MBA to achieve your personal and professional goals. (upload file, 500 words).
Read more: 2022-2023 MBA Essays: Tips for UT Austin McCombs
The 2022-2023 McCombs recommender questions are as follows:
MBA Candidates are invited to interview at McCombs on a rolling basis. The McCombs MBA interviews are conducted by either student interviewers, alumni volunteer interviewers, or admissions officers. Former interviewees report that the conversation during the interview was fairly informal and comfortable; yet, although the school itself admits that their style is less intense than other business schools, a set McCombs interview tips encourages that it’s still important to be well prepared and put your best self forward.
| Admissions Info | MBA Program Home Page Application Process |
| How to Apply | Request Information Start an Application |
| Meet McCombs Business School | Visit Campus Admissions Events – Upcoming Connect with a Student |
| Do Your Research | Texas McCombs MBA Insider – Blog BIG IDEAS: Research and Insights from Texas McCombs McCombs News and Events Faculty Directory |
The Texas Triangle: UT Austin benefits from being in a state that is growing, and has strong economic activity. More than the stereotypical oil and gas industries, Texas has a strong tech, real estate, and consulting sector—all headquartered in Houston, Austin, and Dallas. Learn more from our interview with Admissions director Rodrigo Malta about UT Austin’s connections to Austin, Houston, and Dallas.
Venture Fellows: This unique McCombs fellowship program gives the relatively rare chance to get involved directly with venture capital and private equity firms. Breaking into these industries for the first time is very hard, and Venture Fellows can give selected McCombs MBA students a chance to do so. The program is comprised of an internship and weekly meetings with guest speakers from the VC or PE community.
The “Harvard of Texas”: The UT Austin McCombs School of Business has a wonderful reputation and network in the Lone Star State. MBA Grads successfully find career opportunities throughout Texas within all top industries like tech, consulting, and investment banking. However, job placement is not confined by the Texas border; McCombs sends many graduates outside of Texas, too!
*All data retrieved from the UT Austin McCombs MBA Program webpages, unless otherwise stated.
