SMU Cox vs Texas McCombs
Which MBA program is right for you?
SMU Cox
Texas McCombs
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | SMU Cox | Texas McCombs |
|---|---|---|
| Ranking | #46 | #25 |
| Acceptance Rate | 40% | 30% |
| Avg. GMAT | 680 | 705 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.35 | 3.4 |
| Class Size | 120 | 260 |
| Avg. Salary | $138,000 | $155,000 |
| Employment Rate | 90% | 93% |
| Annual Tuition | $55,000 | $41,666 |
The Verdict
Choose SMU Cox if…
you want Dallas's corporate market, a smaller class, and strong finance and real estate placement.
Full SMU Cox Profile →Choose Texas McCombs if…
you want a top-25 brand, Austin's tech scene, and broader national recruiting from a flagship state university.
Full Texas McCombs Profile →Why People Compare These Two
Cox (#46) and McCombs (#25) are both Texas MBA programs with loyal alumni networks and strong local placement. The 21-spot ranking gap favors McCombs, but Dallas and Austin offer very different career markets. SMU's private-university culture and smaller class (130 vs 260) create a different experience than McCombs's large public-university program.
Career Markets
Dallas is a corporate headquarters powerhouse (AT&T, ExxonMobil, Capital One, Goldman Sachs). Austin is a tech hub (Tesla, Apple, Google, Oracle). If you know which city you want, the school choice follows. Cox places heavily into Dallas-based employers. McCombs distributes more broadly across Texas and nationally.
The Honest Take
McCombs is the better-ranked, better-known program with stronger national recruiting. SMU Cox is the better choice for candidates specifically targeting Dallas, where Cox's alumni network is dominant. If cost matters, McCombs's in-state tuition for Texas residents is a fraction of SMU's private school price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is McCombs worth the ranking premium?
For national careers, yes. McCombs's top-25 ranking and larger alumni network provide broader access. For Dallas-specific careers, SMU Cox's local network can match or exceed McCombs's reach in the DFW market.
Which is better for energy careers?
Both are strong in energy. SMU Cox benefits from Dallas's energy company headquarters. McCombs benefits from Austin's proximity to midstream and renewable energy companies. Rice Jones in Houston is the top Texas energy MBA, but both Cox and McCombs compete well.
Which has lower total cost?
McCombs (in-state) is significantly cheaper. McCombs (out-of-state) is comparable to SMU Cox. If you're a Texas resident, McCombs's value is hard to beat at any MBA program in the state.