McCombs School of Business – The University of Texas at Austin

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 708.

What is the average GMAT score for admission to McCombs' MBA program?

The average GMAT score for the incoming class at McCombs is 708.

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 score for the incoming class at McCombs is 319 total.

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 5.5 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 5.5. 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 $129,854. 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 11, 2022. The Round 2 application deadline is January 5, 2023. The Round 3 and final deadline is March 28, 2023.

What percent of McCombs' MBA students are women?

The percentage of the class at McCombs that are women is 38%.

What type of interview does McCombs use for MBA admissions?

McCombs offers interviews by invitation. The interviews are resume-based. This means the interviewer has not had access to the application materials.

VIDEOS

Admissions

The Class Profile

For the McCombs Class of 2023, the 270 entering students have an average GPA of 3.48 and an average GMAT score of 708, the highest average ever for McCombs.

Twenty-four percent of the Class of 2023 are international. Women make up 38% of the first-year class. Student’s average age is 29 and they worked an average of 5.5 years before starting the MBA program.

Application Procedures

Applicants may apply to McCombs during one of three admissions rounds, which usually occur in October, January and April. 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 the admissions committee reviews applications, candidates receive interview notifications by invitation only. Invited students may interview with a current student on campus or via Skype, with an admissions officer in select areas, or with an alumnus in their area for those applying after the first application deadline. 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

Interview Reports

Texas McCombs Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / First-Year Student / Zoom

The interview was conducted by a first-year student, it was conversational and she was writing down all my answers and reading the questions from her computer screen. The interview lasted for an hour. Questions: Walk me through your resume. Describe a situation where you came up with a unique business solution. What has been the […]

Texas McComb Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Alum / Zoom

Interviewed with an alum over Zoom on Feb 9, 2022 for Round 2. They had access to my resume, but not my application. They asked questions for ~30 minutes and I asked questions for another ~15 mins. They asked: • Walk me through your professional experience. • Short-term and long-term goals? • Why McCombs? • […]

Texas McCombs Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Second-Year Student / Zoom

Very casual environment, allowed for open conversation between and after questions. Interviewer was very friendly and shared about her background and experience with McCombs. Questions were essentially the same as another poster here, though not in this exact order. 1. Take me through your professional journey. 2. Tell me about a time you had to […]

Texas McCombs Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Alum / Zoom

Rather standard interview, all the usual questions. (Not in this exact order): Walk through resume/professional experience. Why MBA? Why now? Short term/Long term goals? Strength and weakness in application? What did you learn about yourself from the application process? Plan B if goals don’t work out? DEI question of what global experiences have you had, […]

Texas McCombs MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 3 / First-Year Student / Zoom

Round 3 Zoom interview with a first-year MBA student – I didn’t learn who the interviewer was until only a couple minutes before the interview. Application submitted 3/30, interview invitation received on 4/5, interviewed on 4/9 (still waiting to receive final admissions decision). Interview was pretty standard – I can’t remember every single question, but […]

Texas McCombs Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Adcom / Zoom

I interviewed with one of the adcom officers of McCombs. Out of all my interviews, this one was the only one where I felt very uncomfortable and self-conscious. The moment the interviewer saw me, his demeanor completely changed. He did not seem interested in learning more about me and when I was asking questions about […]

UT Austin McCombs Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Second-Year Student / Zoom

Got an invite on 25th Feb. Scheduled it for 23rd. I was interviewed by a 2nd year. The interview was formal but relaxed. The questions asked are very general with no curveballs. The interviewer was very engaging in the conversation. Lasted 45 mins. Questions in order (mostly): 1. Take me through your professional journey. What […]

UT Austin McCombs Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / First-Year Student / Zoom

Very friendly and conversational interview experience. Walk me through your resume. Describe a situation where you came up with a unique solution. What has been the biggest challenge so far? What did you learn as a professional especially from the impact of the Covid-19? What are your short- and long-term goals? Why MBA and why […]

UT Austin McCombs Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Second-Year Student / Zoom

Interviewed in the Round 1 cycle via zoom by a second-year student. Overall, the interview was fairly laid back because of the student’s personality, but it was very structured. He read from a list of questions that seemed to have been prepared in advance by the admissions office, and took time to type answers to […]

Texas McCombs MBA Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Second-Year Student / Zoom

The interview was very conversational and low-pressure. Here are the questions I encountered: 1) Walk through of your resume/tell the interviewer about yourself. 2) A time when you encountered something difficult or overcame a challenge. 3) Your short-term and long-term goals. 4) Why is now the right time for you to do an MBA? 5) […]

Mccombs Q&As

Admissions Director Q&A: Rodrigo Malta of the Texas McCombs School of Business

Rodrigo Malta, Managing Director of MBA Marketing, Recruiting & Admissions at the Texas McCombs School of Business, walks us through the highlights and admissions process in this edition of our MBA Admissions Director Q&A series.  Rodrigo, originally from Brazil, says one of his proudest moments was becoming a US citizen in 2008, which was the […]

Admissions Director Q&A: Rodrigo Malta of the Texas McCombs School of Business

This edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series takes us to the dynamic city of Austin and leading business school there, the University of Texas McCombs School of Business.  Rodrigo Malta, the Managing Director of MBA Recruitment and Admissions at Texas McCombs, was born and raised in Brazil and moved to the U.S. in high […]

Admissions Director Q&A: Rodrigo Malta of Texas McCombs School of Business

There are so many new and exciting developments at the Texas McCombs School of Business, Rodrigo Malta couldn’t name just one.  He’s joined us for this Admissions Director Q&A to fill us in on the changing scenery and curriculum at the school, what he wishes more applicants knew about, how the admissions process works, what you […]

UT Austin / McCombs LiveWire and DecisionWire

Academics

Faculty

McCombs employs 204 full-time faculty members across six academic departments. In addition to teaching courses, this group of scholars and practitioners directs 19 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’ 32 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/MBA/Full-Time

Evening MBA
Austin
https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/MBA/Evening

Part-time MBA
Dallas, Houston, Austin
https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/MBA/Dallas
https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/MBA/Houston

Executive MBA
https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/MBA/Executive

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/MS in Nursing, 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 2020, for instance, McCombs will hold its eighth annual Marketing Conference.  The two-day event focuses on agile marketing in response to new technology, strategies, and disruptive ideas.

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. Just prior to the start of the spring semester, McCombs hosts Super Week, a week specifically devoted to recruiting in the consulting and financial services industries. MBA students can use this time to network and conduct interviews without the pressures of academic commitments.

Career Statistics

The average starting salary for members of the Class of 2021 was $129,854 while the average signing bonus accepted by recent graduates was $28,153. Roughly 34% of graduates joined the tech industry. Consulting followed at 23%. Nearly 17% pursued roles in the finance field and roughly 6% each joined consumer products or energy/utilities.

About 66% of 2021 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. Thirteen percent of graduates opted for positions in the Western U.S., 7% settled in the Midwest. Five percent headed to the Northeast U.S. Lastly, less than 2% of the Class of 2021 chose jobs located outside of the U.S.

Financing

The tuition for the 2021-2022 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 $80,324 in that time, with in-state entrants paying $74,604.

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

Living Expenses $15,392

Books $1,034

Student Fees $1,000

Laptop $2,500

Total

• In-State $74,604
• Out-of-State $80,324

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