McCombs vs Mays MBA: Which Texas Flagship Is Right for You?

Texas is home to two AACSB-accredited public MBA programs that consistently rank among the best in the country: McCombs at UT Austin and Mays at Texas A&M. Both offer resident tuition well below the six-figure price tags at top private schools, and both feed directly into the state's booming energy, technology, and healthcare sectors. For applicants rooted in Texas or targeting its job market, the decision often comes down to these two.

The practical tension is real. McCombs commands higher median starting salaries and stronger national brand recognition, but Mays counters with lower costs and one of the largest, most active alumni networks in the world. Choosing between them means weighing ROI from very different starting points. The sections that follow compare mba programs across rankings, tuition, admissions profiles, career outcomes, and alumni networks so you can determine which Texas flagship fits your goals.

McCombs vs Mays MBA at a Glance: Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Before diving into the details, a high-level snapshot helps frame the conversation. The table below captures the metrics most working professionals care about when weighing these two Texas flagship MBA programs. A few important caveats come first.

Where to Find the Most Current Numbers

Both programs update their admissions and cost data annually, and the figures you encounter on third-party sites (including mbaschools.org) may lag behind what each school has published most recently. For the most accurate tuition, GMAT and GPA ranges, class size, and acceptance rate information, go directly to the UT Austin McCombs MBA admissions page and the Mays MBA admissions page at the Mays Business School website. Treat those official sources as your primary reference point, especially if you are comparing costs for a specific enrollment year.

Rankings deserve the same scrutiny. The U.S. News & World Report Best Business Schools list is published once a year, and methodology shifts can move a program several spots in either direction. When comparing McCombs and Mays rankings, make sure you are looking at the same edition. A ranking gap that appears significant in one year may narrow or reverse the next.

Quick Comparison Table

• U.S. News Ranking: McCombs has historically placed in the top 20 nationally, while Mays typically ranks in the 30 to 50 range. Confirm the current year's placement directly with U.S. News.
• In-State Tuition (Full-Time, Total Program): Both schools offer a public-university tuition advantage. McCombs total estimated cost for Texas residents tends to run higher than Mays, reflecting Austin's cost of living and McCombs' larger resource base.
• Out-of-State Tuition: The gap widens for non-residents, though both remain more affordable than most top-20 private programs.
• Median GMAT Score: McCombs typically reports a median GMAT in the low-to-mid 700s. Mays median GMAT generally falls in the mid-to-high 600s. Check each school's most recent class profile for the latest figures.
• Median Undergraduate GPA: Both programs report median GPAs in the 3.4 to 3.6 range, though McCombs trends slightly higher.
• Full-Time Class Size: McCombs enrolls a larger full-time cohort (roughly 250 to 270 students), while Mays runs a smaller, more close-knit class (around 60 to 80 students).
• Acceptance Rate: Mays tends to have a somewhat higher acceptance rate. McCombs is more selective by the numbers, though both programs practice holistic review.
• Median Starting Salary: McCombs graduates typically command higher median base salaries, often exceeding $155,000. Mays graduates report strong outcomes as well, with medians that vary by industry concentration.
• Employment Rate at Graduation: Both schools publish employment reports showing high placement rates. Consult each program's latest career outcomes report for exact percentages.

Cross-Reference Your Research

Numbers from school-published employment reports tell only part of the story. Supplement them with data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics at BLS.gov, which provides median salary and employment figures broken down by industry and metro area. This is especially useful if you are targeting energy roles in Houston or tech positions in Austin, where regional compensation differs from national averages. For broader context on post-MBA compensation trends, our guide to MBA career paths and salaries offers useful benchmarks across industries.

For a richer qualitative perspective, search LinkedIn for McCombs and Mays MBA alumni in your target industry. Pay attention to job titles, employer names, and time-to-promotion. Organizations such as the MBA Career Services and Employer Alliance also publish recruitment trend data that can help you gauge which industries are actively hiring from each school.

No single data source gives you the full picture. If you are still narrowing your options, our resource on how to choose the right MBA program for your career goals can help you weigh priorities beyond rankings. The comparison table above is a starting framework. The sections that follow will unpack each dimension, from tuition and financial aid to career placement, so you can determine which program aligns with your professional goals and budget.

MBA Rankings and National Reputation: McCombs vs Mays

Rankings are not the whole story, but they serve as a useful proxy for employer perception, recruiting reach, and overall program quality. When you compare McCombs and Mays across the major ranking publications, a clear pattern emerges: both are well-regarded public MBA programs, yet McCombs consistently holds a significant edge in national prestige.

Where Each Program Lands in the Major Rankings

The McCombs School of Business at UT Austin regularly appears in the top 20 across the most-watched MBA rankings. In recent cycles, U.S. News & World Report has placed McCombs in the 16 to 19 range, while Bloomberg Businessweek and the Financial Times have ranked it similarly. Poets&Quants, which creates a composite of multiple ranking systems, has also placed McCombs firmly in the top 20.

The Mays Business School at Texas A&M typically lands in the 30 to 50 range depending on the publication and the year. U.S. News has placed the Mays full-time MBA in the mid-30s to low-40s in recent editions, while other outlets have varied somewhat in their assessments. That positioning still represents a strong showing among public universities, but it does place Mays a tier below McCombs in most ranking consensus.

Regional Strength vs. National Prestige

McCombs benefits from a broader national and international recruiting footprint. Its location in Austin, a hub for technology and entrepreneurship, gives it an added advantage in attracting top employers. If your post-MBA goals include consulting, tech, or investment banking at firms that recruit nationally, McCombs will open more doors. For a deeper look at McCombs MBA employment outcomes, see our full program profile.

Mays, however, punches well above its ranking weight in certain sectors. Texas A&M has deep roots in energy, engineering, agriculture, and defense-related industries. If your career trajectory points toward the energy corridor in Houston, agribusiness, or operations-heavy roles, the Mays network in those industries can be remarkably powerful. Regional employers who recruit from Texas A&M often prize the school's culture of loyalty and service, which translates into strong alumni engagement.

So Which School Is "Better"?

This is one of the most common questions prospective students ask, and the honest answer is that it depends on what you are optimizing for. If you define "better" as the program with higher ranking consensus, stronger national brand recognition, and broader placement across industries, McCombs holds the edge. It is the more selective program with stronger median outcomes in most published metrics.

That said, neither McCombs nor Mays is the top-ranked MBA in the country. Both sit within the broader ecosystem of elite public business schools, alongside programs at Michigan Ross, Virginia Darden, and UC Berkeley Haas. What both programs do share is strong value relative to private-school peers, given their public-university tuition structures and robust Texas-based alumni networks. If you are still weighing factors to consider when choosing an MBA program, our decision guide can help you prioritize what matters most.

For candidates whose careers will be anchored in Texas, especially in Houston or the broader energy sector, the gap between these two programs narrows considerably. For those seeking the widest possible set of national career options, McCombs is the stronger choice on paper.

Questions to Ask Yourself

MBA Tuition, Total Cost, and Financial Aid at McCombs and Mays

One of the biggest advantages of attending a public flagship MBA program in Texas is the price tag. Both McCombs and Mays offer tuition rates that undercut most top-ranked private programs by a wide margin, but the two schools are not equally priced. Understanding the full cost picture, including fees, living expenses, and scholarship opportunities, is essential before you commit.

McCombs MBA: Tuition and Total Cost of Attendance

For the 2025-2026 academic year, McCombs lists full-time MBA tuition at approximately $55,196 per year for Texas residents and $61,214 per year for out-of-state students.¹ Over the full two-year program, that brings total tuition to roughly $110,392 (in-state) or $122,428 (out-of-state).

Once you factor in fees, health insurance, housing, food, books, and personal expenses, the estimated two-year total cost of attendance rises to approximately $159,742 for in-state students and $171,778 for out-of-state students.¹ That is a substantial investment, but it remains significantly less than what you would pay at peer-ranked private programs like Darden, Fuqua, or Kellogg, where two-year totals routinely exceed $200,000.

Mays MBA: A More Affordable Alternative

Texas A&M's Mays Business School positions itself as one of the most affordable ranked MBA programs in the country. While official 2025-2026 figures from Mays were not published at the time of this comparison, the program has historically offered in-state tuition that is considerably lower than McCombs, often by tens of thousands of dollars over two years. Out-of-state tuition at Mays also tends to be more moderate. If cost minimization is a top priority, Mays deserves serious consideration.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Both programs award the bulk of their financial aid at the time of admission, so your application itself is essentially your scholarship application. For a deeper look at funding strategies, see our guide to mba scholarships.

• McCombs fellowships: Merit-based awards range from $2,000 up to full tuition coverage. About half of each incoming class receives some form of merit scholarship, with an average award of around $40,000.¹ Named fellowships and diversity awards further expand the pool.
• Mays scholarships and assistantships: Mays offers competitive merit scholarships as well as graduate assistantship positions that can offset tuition and provide a stipend. Named scholarships tied to specific concentrations or backgrounds are also available.

Neither school requires a separate scholarship application for most merit awards, though some named fellowships at both institutions may ask for additional essays or interviews.

Why Texas Residency Matters

Establishing Texas residency before enrollment can dramatically reduce your costs at either program. At McCombs, the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition saves you roughly $12,000 over two years in tuition alone, and the gap at Mays is similarly meaningful.¹ For out-of-state applicants who plan to settle in Texas, it is worth exploring the residency reclassification process early. Combined with merit aid, in-state tuition at either flagship makes a ranked Texas MBA one of the strongest value propositions in graduate business education nationwide.

McCombs vs Mays: Tuition and Salary at a Glance

Both McCombs and Mays deliver strong salary outcomes relative to their tuition costs, but the math plays out differently depending on residency status and program choice. Mays offers a notably lower sticker price, giving it an edge in raw salary-to-tuition ratio for cost-conscious applicants. McCombs, meanwhile, commands higher median starting salaries and signing bonuses that can narrow the gap over time.

Admissions Requirements: GMAT Scores, GPA, and Class Profile

Understanding what each program expects from applicants is essential for gauging where you stand and how to position your candidacy. McCombs and Mays draw from overlapping but distinct talent pools, and the numbers tell an important story about selectivity and class composition.

GMAT and GRE Scores

For the McCombs MBA entering class of 2024, the median GMAT score came in at 655, with a middle-80-percent range spanning 650 to 740.¹ That range signals a wide distribution: strong candidates at the top of the class score well above 700, yet the program clearly values applicants whose profiles extend beyond test scores alone.

Mays Business School at Texas A&M has historically reported median GMAT scores in the 660 to 680 range for its full-time MBA cohort, though prospective applicants should verify the most recent class profile directly with the program, as figures can shift year to year. To answer a common question: if you are targeting Mays, a GMAT score in the mid-600s or above puts you in a competitive position, though a holistic review means no single number guarantees admission.

Both programs accept GRE scores as a full substitute for the GMAT. Admissions policies around test-optional or test-flexible evaluation have evolved since the pandemic, so applicants should check each school's current stance before assuming a waiver is available.

GPA and Work Experience

The McCombs 2024 entering class reported an average undergraduate GPA of 3.46 and an average of 5.9 years of professional work experience, reflecting a cohort that skews slightly more seasoned than many top-25 MBA programs.¹ Mays similarly values meaningful professional tenure, and its class profiles have typically shown average work experience in the four-to-six-year range.

Neither program enforces a hard GPA cutoff, but applicants below a 3.0 should be prepared to address academic performance through optional essays, strong test scores, or quantitative coursework. For a broader overview of what schools typically expect, our guide to MBA application requirements covers the fundamentals.

Class Composition and Diversity

McCombs enrolled 241 students in its 2024 full-time MBA class, with women making up 35 percent and international students comprising 31 percent.¹ The admission rate stood at 38 percent, indicating meaningful selectivity tempered by a desire to build a well-rounded class.

Mays tends to run smaller full-time cohorts, which can translate to a tighter-knit classroom experience and more personalized faculty interaction. Texas A&M's class composition has historically drawn heavily from engineering, military, and energy backgrounds, reflecting the university's strengths and culture. McCombs, situated in Austin's tech corridor, tends to attract more candidates from consulting, technology, and finance.

Undergraduate Majors and Industry Backgrounds

At McCombs, you will find a broad mix of business, engineering, liberal arts, and STEM majors in the classroom. The Austin ecosystem tilts the class toward applicants with technology and entrepreneurship experience, though consulting, financial services, and the military are all well represented.

Mays classes typically show a strong concentration of engineers, operations professionals, and candidates from the oil and gas sector. The Aggie network's deep roots in energy, defense, and manufacturing shape who applies and, ultimately, who enrolls.

For applicants weighing both programs, the key takeaway is this: McCombs casts a wider net across industries and draws a more internationally diverse class, while Mays offers a more focused community with particular depth in energy and engineering talent. Your own professional background and career goals should guide which profile feels like the better fit.

Program Formats: Full-Time, Online, and Executive MBA Options

Both McCombs and Mays offer MBA programs across multiple formats, but the depth and ranking of those options differ in ways that matter depending on your career stage and goals. Here is how the two schools compare across full-time, online, and executive pathways.

Full-Time MBA

The McCombs Full-Time MBA is a 20-month, in-person program with a class size of roughly 255 students.¹² The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning through consulting projects, global study trips, and hands-on industry practicums that connect students with companies in technology, energy, and consulting. Career switchers benefit from a structured summer internship between the first and second year.

The Mays Full-Time MBA at Texas A&M is a two-year, in-person program with a smaller cohort, typically around 70 to 80 students. Mays places a strong emphasis on teamwork and its Aggie culture, and students participate in experiential learning through consulting engagements and case competitions. The smaller class size can translate to tighter peer relationships and more direct faculty access, though it also means a narrower on-campus recruiting footprint compared to McCombs.

For career switchers, the full-time format at either school is the strongest path, but McCombs generally offers broader recruiter access and deeper placement pipelines in industries like tech, consulting, and investment banking. Both programs are among the top mba programs in texas for professionals seeking strong regional networks.

Online MBA

McCombs offers a Working Professional MBA³ that includes an online format, consistently ranked among the top online MBA programs nationally. The program runs approximately 21 months and is designed for professionals with at least two years of work experience. GMAT waivers are available for qualifying applicants. Tuition details and exact online format pricing should be confirmed through the McCombs admissions office, as costs can differ from the in-person version.

Mays also offers an online MBA option. While specific ranking and tuition figures should be verified through the Mays Business School directly, the program is designed for working professionals seeking flexibility without relocating to College Station. Both programs aim to deliver the core MBA curriculum in an asynchronous or hybrid format, but McCombs currently holds a stronger national reputation in the online MBA space.

Executive MBA

The McCombs Executive MBA is a 20-month, in-person program designed for senior professionals with a typical minimum of eight years of work experience.³ McCombs delivers its EMBA in Austin and has historically offered an additional cohort based in Houston, expanding access for executives across Texas. Classes generally meet on alternating weekends, allowing participants to maintain their careers throughout the program.

Mays also offers an Executive MBA, structured for experienced professionals and delivered in a weekend format. Prospective students should consult the Mays EMBA admissions page for the latest scheduling, cohort size, and tuition details, as these can shift from year to year.

Which Format Fits Your Goals?

Choosing the right format depends on where you are in your career:

• Full-time MBA: Best for career switchers or professionals with two to five years of experience who want a complete reset, summer internship access, and deep immersion in campus recruiting.
• Online MBA: Ideal for working professionals who cannot relocate but want the credential and network of a top Texas business school.
• Executive MBA: Suited for senior leaders with eight or more years of experience who want strategic leadership development without stepping away from their current roles.

Both schools serve the Texas market well, but the right format can be the difference between a credential that accelerates your trajectory and one that simply checks a box. Evaluate each program based on your timeline, career goals, and how much flexibility you need.

Career Outcomes, Starting Salaries, and ROI

Career outcomes are where the rubber meets the road for any MBA investment, and both McCombs and Mays deliver strong results, albeit with meaningfully different salary profiles and industry pipelines. Understanding these differences is essential for calculating which program offers the best return on your specific career goals.

Starting Salaries and Signing Bonuses

McCombs MBA graduates consistently command some of the highest starting salaries among public university programs. Recent graduating classes have reported a median base salary north of $150,000, with median signing bonuses typically ranging from $25,000 to $30,000. These figures reflect the program's strong placement into high-paying consulting and technology roles.

Mays MBA graduates earn competitive salaries that typically fall in the $120,000 to $130,000 range for median starting base pay. Signing bonuses are common as well, though they tend to be somewhat lower than those reported by McCombs graduates. For candidates targeting energy, operations, or supply chain management, these figures still represent a significant leap over pre-MBA compensation for most students.

Employment Rates

Both programs boast strong employment outcomes. McCombs regularly reports that roughly 90% or more of its full-time MBA graduates secure offers within three months of graduation, with a meaningful share receiving offers at or before graduation. Mays posts similarly strong placement numbers, with the vast majority of graduates employed within 90 days. Neither school leaves its students stranded, and both benefit from deep employer relationships across Texas and beyond.

Top Hiring Industries

The two programs channel graduates into notably different sectors, which is a critical factor in your decision. For a broader look at best jobs for MBA graduates, it helps to understand how each school's recruiting pipeline aligns with your goals.

• McCombs: Technology is the dominant destination, with employers like Dell, Amazon, Google, and Meta actively recruiting on campus. Consulting firms including McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and Deloitte also hire heavily from McCombs, and the program's Austin location places graduates at the epicenter of Texas's tech corridor.
• Mays: Energy companies such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips are top recruiters, alongside defense contractors and major manufacturers. Mays also places well in supply chain and operations roles, capitalizing on Texas A&M's deep ties to industries that value engineering-adjacent business leadership.

If you already know you want to work in tech or consulting, McCombs offers a more direct pipeline. If energy, defense, or operations management is your target, Mays provides a well-worn path with loyal employer relationships.

ROI: Which Program Recovers Its Investment Faster?

A rough ROI calculation reveals an interesting dynamic. McCombs carries higher tuition (roughly $120,000 or more for two years of a full-time program for Texas residents), but its graduates earn higher starting salaries. Mays costs significantly less, often in the $70,000 to $80,000 range for total in-state tuition, with starting salaries that, while lower, still represent substantial earning power.

When you factor in the tuition gap of approximately $40,000 to $50,000 and the salary gap of roughly $20,000 to $30,000 per year, Mays graduates may actually break even on their investment faster in certain scenarios, particularly if they avoid relocating to a higher cost-of-living city. McCombs graduates tend to pull ahead in cumulative lifetime earnings over a five-to-ten-year horizon, especially if they remain in consulting or tech where compensation growth can be steep. You can explore average salary for MBA graduates across industries for additional context on long-term earning potential.

Is an MBA from Texas A&M Worth It?

The short answer is yes, particularly for candidates targeting energy, supply chain, operations, or manufacturing careers in Texas. Mays offers a genuinely affordable path to a meaningful salary increase, and its alumni network in the energy sector and across corporate Texas is one of the most loyal and active in the country. For students who do not need or want a career in tech or top-tier consulting, Mays can deliver an outstanding return on investment with lower financial risk. The program also appeals to professionals who value the tight-knit Aggie culture and plan to build their MBA careers in industries where Texas A&M's name carries exceptional weight.

Ultimately, neither program is universally "better" on ROI. The right answer depends on your target industry, your tolerance for upfront cost, and where you plan to build your career.

Alumni Networks and Employer Recruitment in Texas

Few states can claim two alumni networks as powerful as those behind Texas A&M and UT Austin. For MBA candidates weighing these programs, understanding how each network translates into job referrals, mentorship, and recruiter access is essential.

Texas A&M: The Aggie Network Advantage

Texas A&M boasts one of the largest and most tightly knit alumni networks in the world, with more than 500,000 former students. The Aggie network is legendary for its loyalty: graduates actively seek out fellow Aggies when hiring, mentoring, and making referrals. For Mays MBA students, this culture of mutual support opens doors across Texas and especially in Houston, where A&M alumni hold leadership positions throughout the energy, engineering, and industrial sectors.

Top recruiters at Mays historically include ExxonMobil, Chevron, Deloitte, and a range of midstream and upstream energy companies. Houston serves as the primary landing zone for Mays graduates, though placements extend across Dallas, San Antonio, and other Texas metros. If your career goals center on energy, natural resources, or operations within the state, the Aggie network provides a recruiting pipeline that is hard to match.

UT Austin: Tech Ecosystem and National Reach

UT Austin's alumni base is similarly massive, numbering well over 500,000, and the Longhorn network carries particular weight in Austin's booming tech corridor. McCombs MBA graduates benefit from deep ties to companies like Dell Technologies, Amazon, Google, Apple, and a growing roster of venture-backed startups headquartered in central Texas. Dallas also serves as a significant placement hub, with mccombs mba employment outcomes showing strong representation in consulting, financial services, and corporate strategy roles.

What gives McCombs a slight edge over Mays in national placement is its higher national ranking profile and the presence of recruiters from firms that draw candidates from top-20 programs. Graduates seeking roles outside Texas, whether in San Francisco, New York, or other major markets, tend to find more structured recruiting pathways through McCombs.

How the Networks Compare for MBA Graduates

• Aggie loyalty factor: Texas A&M alumni are famously willing to go the extra mile for fellow Aggies, making cold outreach and informational interviews notably productive.
• Longhorn tech connections: UT Austin's proximity to Austin's tech scene gives McCombs students direct access to internships and full-time roles at fast-growing companies.
• In-state dominance: Both networks saturate the Texas job market, but they concentrate in different metros and industries. Mays leans Houston and energy; McCombs leans Austin, Dallas, and technology.
• Out-of-state placement: McCombs holds an advantage for candidates targeting national or coastal markets, thanks to broader brand recognition among recruiters at top consulting and tech firms.

Ultimately, both programs give you access to a recruiting ecosystem that few MBA programs outside the Ivy League and M7 can rival within a single state. The best fit depends on whether your career ambitions align more closely with energy and industrial sectors or with tech and consulting, and on whether you plan to build your career within Texas or beyond. For a broader look at what the state offers, explore best mba programs in texas.

Which Texas MBA Is Right for You?

Both McCombs and Mays are excellent MBA programs, but they serve different career goals and personal priorities. The right choice depends on your target industry, budget, and the kind of learning environment where you thrive. Here is a balanced look at what each program does best, and where each falls short.

Frequently Asked Questions About McCombs vs Mays MBA

Choosing between two of the top MBA programs in Texas raises plenty of practical questions. Below, we answer the most common ones prospective students ask when comparing McCombs at UT Austin and Mays at Texas A&M, from costs and test scores to career outcomes and online options.