McCombs
McCombs MBA: Austin’s Tech-Driven, Collaborative, and Global Business School
When considering top MBA programs, the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin stands out—not just for its rankings, but for the ecosystem it plugs you into.
This isn’t your average “B-school in a college town” setup. McCombs sits in the middle of Austin, one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the U.S.—which makes it uniquely positioned for Indian and international applicants looking to pivot into tech, consulting, or entrepreneurship.
Why McCombs?
Let’s cut through the brochure talk. McCombs is for those who want action, access, and community—in that order.
Action: Whether you’re leading a consulting project for a Fortune 500 firm or prototyping a fintech app in a startup incubator, McCombs makes you get your hands dirty.
Access: Google, Amazon, Dell, Oracle, Apple, and dozens of VCs operate right next door.
Community: It’s not just “friendly.” The student vibe at McCombs is grounded, collaborative, and remarkably open to internationals.
You won’t just attend classes—you’ll be thrown into business problems, surround yourself with smart people solving real-world issues, and build relationships that don’t feel transactional.
Class Profile: Diverse, Experienced, and Collaborative
Let’s talk numbers. The Full-Time MBA Class of 2026 reflects a strong mix of global and domestic talent:
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Class Size: 255
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Average Age: 29
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Average Work Experience: 6 years
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International Students: 29%
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Female Students: 33%
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Average GMAT: 704
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Average GPA: 3.48
In terms of undergrad background:
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Business/Economics: 34%
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STEM: 33%
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Humanities: 8%
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Others: 25%
This is a cohort where engineers, consultants, marketers, and startup founders all sit at the same table—and actually want to hear each other out.
If you're the kind of person who thrives in cross-functional, low-ego environments, McCombs is your jam.
Jeet Chaudhary
McCombs CO'26
Breaking into Tech Without a CS Degree? You’re Fine.
One of the biggest myths among Indian applicants: “You need a CS background to get into big tech.”
Not here.
McCombs is one of the most tech-integrated MBA programs that doesn’t require you to code.
You’ve got:
A dedicated Tech Club that does far more than just mock interviews. Think hands-on workshops, industry treks, and the Tech-Ops Challenge.
An Information Management Concentration that’s designed to teach product strategy, analytics, and systems thinking—not just buzzwords.
What helps even more? The fact that Austin is “Silicon Hills”. Google, Apple, Oracle, Dell, and dozens of startups are all hiring locally.
This proximity turns casual coffee chats into internship leads.
Austin: One of the Best Cities for International Students
Most MBA applicants overlook this—but where you study matters just as much as what you study.
Austin is what you get when you combine California-style innovation with Southern hospitality.
It’s safe, global, and young—without being pretentious or overpriced.
For international students, this means:
Easy integration into the city
Warm, welcoming culture (no, really)
Diverse cuisines, festivals, and events
A booming job market—especially for tech and VC
And inside McCombs, the International MBA Student Association (IMBASA) makes sure you’re not navigating things alone. Whether it’s visa workshops or cultural nights, this is a school that understands the unique needs of international students.
Networking, But Not the Cringey Kind
At McCombs, networking doesn’t mean fake-smiling over shrimp cocktail.
It means:
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Coffee chats hosted by firms on campus
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Consulting firms doing mock interviews for 1st years in October
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Tech Treks to Seattle and the Bay Area, organized by students
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Startups coming into your classes to pitch real problems they want solved
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Alumni just... picking up your cold messages and saying “Let’s chat”
Some of the most career-defining connections aren’t from scheduled events—they’re from open mics, lunch talks, or hallway conversations after speaker sessions.
Career Outcomes: Solid for Tech, Strong in Consulting, Rising in Finance
Here’s where things get real. Where do McCombs grads go after their MBA?
Top Industries:
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Consulting: 30% of the class → Avg. base salary: $172,556
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Technology: 22% → Avg. base: $137,777
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Finance: 17% → Avg. base: $158,000
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Energy: 6% → Avg. base: $137,222
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Retail: 5% → Avg. base: $137,857
Sports, Community, and Mental Sanity
This one gets overlooked—but it shouldn’t.
At McCombs, your cohort becomes your crew. And a lot of that bonding happens outside the classroom.
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Intramural Sports: Flag football, soccer, volleyball, even dodgeball. It’s casual, sweaty, fun.
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Texas Winter Classic: One of the biggest MBA soccer tournaments in the U.S.
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Wellness Collective: Yoga, group runs, burnout prevention. Real support, not just brochures.
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Cohort Competitions: Friendly battles in case comps, sports, trivia, and even cook-offs.
You’re not just building your résumé. You’re building memories, too.
Student Life: Not Just Social—Actually Supportive
You’ll hear a lot of MBAs say their school is “collaborative.” But McCombs feels different.
Right from orientation, you’re put into small cohorts and study teams that mimic real-world business teams. You solve problems together. You lean on each other. You build together.
Beyond class, the culture is deeply engaging. 40+ student clubs mean you’ll always find your crew:
Graduate Consulting Group: Case prep, alum panels, and networking with firms like Bain, BCG, and Accenture
Net Impact: For those interested in sustainability and ESG careers
Sports, Entertainment, and Media Association: Especially useful if you want to pivot into these niche industries
MBA Soccer Club: One of the largest in the U.S., complete with tournaments like the Texas Winter Classic
Wellness Collective: Yoga, meditation, mental health support—because burnout is real
This is a community that makes sure you grow without losing your mind.
Faculty & Leadership: Practical, Not Pretentious
McCombs has 192 full-time faculty members—and they’re not just academic theorists. You’ll find former consultants, product managers, economists, and operators teaching your classes.
Under Dean Lillian Mills, the school’s focus has remained sharply aligned with what today’s business world demands—data fluency, ethical leadership, and global thinking.
You won’t find many professors who drone from PowerPoints. You will find ones who ask, “What would you do if this were your startup?”
What No One Tells You About McCombs
Let’s get brutally honest.
Recruiting is competitive: Especially for roles outside of Texas. You’ll need to network hard, and early. But the support is there if you put in the work.
Austin’s charm comes with tradeoffs: It’s not New York or San Francisco. If you want Wall Street or high finance, McCombs isn’t your strongest bet.
You need to drive your own learning: The flexibility of the curriculum is a gift—but only if you’re clear about what you want.
Still, for the right kind of applicant—especially those from India or international backgrounds looking for tech + collaborative culture—McCombs punches way above its weight.
Final Word
Some MBA programs sell prestige. Others sell placement stats. McCombs offers something rarer: authenticity paired with opportunity.
It’s not the flashiest brand. But for those who want to build, collaborate, and grow in a city that’s rising with them—this school just makes sense.
And if you’re an Indian or international candidate looking for that sweet spot between tech access and emotional safety, McCombs deserves a serious place on your shortlist.
FAQs
What is the #1 business school in Texas?
The McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin is widely regarded as the #1 business school in Texas. It's consistently ranked among the top 20 MBA programs in the U.S. and stands out for its strong placements in consulting and tech, vibrant student culture, and strategic location in Austin—a rapidly growing tech and startup hub.
What is the average salary for McCombs MBA?
The average base salary for McCombs MBA graduates is approximately $142,000, with consulting roles averaging over $172,000 and tech roles around $138,000. Many students also receive signing bonuses and performance incentives, making the total compensation package highly competitive among top-tier U.S. business schools.
Is Texas McCombs MBA STEM-designated?
Yes. McCombs offers STEM-designated MBA programs, allowing international students to extend their Optional Practical Training (OPT) period.