Best Online Business Schools in Texas (MBA Programs)
Updated March 14, 2024
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Learners pursue an MBA because the degree provides them with the management and leadership skills to advance their careers or excel in a new field. MBA graduates can land high-paying jobs in Texas's most in-demand fields. Earning an MBA can even lead to C-suite positions like chief executive officer and chief financial officer.
Our guide provides valuable information on what to expect from MBA programs, career options for graduates, and how to choose the best program. To make selecting a program even easier, we ranked the top online MBA programs in Texas below.
Why Get an Online MBA in Texas?
Earning an MBA entails a substantial investment of time and money, but it usually comes with a high return on investment and new career opportunities. Benefits of an MBA include:
- Higher Average Salary: MBA graduates tend to earn significantly more than those who hold only a bachelor's degree. A 2018 report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers noted MBA-holders' salaries were over 20% higher than bachelor's business graduates.
- C-Suite Positions: Earning an MBA can be a critical step to pursuing a C-suite position like CEO, COO, or CFO. These positions come with more responsibilities and much higher salaries.
- Networking and Experience: During the MBA program, students interact with professors and alumni who offer invaluable career insight and direction. MBA students can also complete internships and fellowships with large corporations and businesses to gain experience and foster professional connections.
- Earning an online MBA in Texas comes with unique benefits: The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's stated goals include ensuring all programs — including MBAs — instill identifiable, marketable skills in students. Thus, MBA graduates in Texas are well-prepared for the state's thriving job market. The degree qualifies learners for positions like general and operations managers and other fast-growing, high-paying careers in Texas.
Online MBA Programs for You
Grow your career, leadership, and business acumen with an accredited online MBA program.
Best Online MBA Programs in Texas
The following top-ranked online master's in business administration programs in Texas carry regional accreditation, and some carry subject-specific accreditation as well. Accrediting bodies verify that a school or program confers degrees that are recognized by third-party entities, such as other institutions, employers, and professional boards.
The following accrediting agencies provide accreditation to the five programs on our list:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
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Texas A&M International UniversityLocation
Laredo, TX
Tuition$4744
Graduation Rate46%
Founded in 1970 as Texas A&I University at Laredo, TAMIU currently hosts over 8,400 students across five colleges. The institution recently completed a $250 million project, which included its new Academic Innovation Center with state-of-the-art laboratories.
A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business
The A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business offers an online master of business administration program in four concentrations: management, international banking and finance, international business, and international trade and logistics.
Students can complete the 30-credit required coursework in as little as 15 months at a total cost of just over $10,000. With six start dates through the year and a completely online format, the program best suits working professionals looking for additional graduate coursework flexibility.
Coursework includes 21 credits of core MBA courses and nine credits of electives. Students without an undergraduate degree in business can complete three two-credit prep modules to ensure proper academic readiness.
TAMIU's MBA Specializations
Management | International Banking and Finance| International Business | International Trade and logistics
Applying to TAMIU
Applicants who submit an undergraduate or graduate degree in business, a minimum 3.0 GPA in upper-level courses, official transcripts, and a resume gain automatic admission. Other prospective students must submit GRE/GMAT scores, a personal statement, and two reference letters.
Program at a Glance
School Type: Public
Accreditation: SACSCOC, AACSB
Tuition: $336/credit (in state), $974/credit (out of state)
Required Credits: 30 credits
Program Length: 15 months minimum
Delivery Format: 100% online -
The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyLocation
Edinburg, TX
Tuition$4319
Graduation Rate46%
Created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 as the first major public university of the 21st century in Texas, UTRGV provides over 20 fully online programs and over 190 hybrid courses.
Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship
The Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship offers a completely online master of business administration program with general coursework and three concentrations: financial planning, health-care administration, and international trade.
The 36-credit curriculum includes core courses, MBA foundation courses, and electives. Specific coursework replaces electives for those pursuing a concentration. With an accelerated format and four start dates throughout the year, students can complete the degree in as little as 12 months. Coursework focuses on the leadership and project management skills required for success in today's competitive job market.
UTRGV's MBA Specializations
General | Financial Planning | Healthcare Administration | International Trade
Applying to UTRGV
Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA, official transcripts, a minimum 400 GMAT or 146 on verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE, and short answer responses.
Program at a Glance
School Type: Public
Accreditation: SACSCOC, AACSB
Tuition: $472/credit
Required Credits: 36 credits
Program Length: 12 months
Delivery Format: 100% online -
William Marsh Rice UniversityLocation
Houston, TX
Graduation Rate95%
Chartered in 1891 as the William Marsh Rice Institute for the Advancement of Literature, Science, and Art, the private institution has grown into an integral part of Houston's identity. John F. Kennedy delivered his famous space race speech from Rice Stadium in 1962.
Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business
The Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business provides a top-ranked online MBA program, according to U.S. News & World Report. The program offers six concentrations: general, corporate strategy, corporate finance, investment management, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
The completely online program combines asynchronous coursework with weekly synchronous live virtual classes, designed to enable face-to-face interaction and debate. The class offerings, professors, grading system, and office hours for online programs are the same as for in-person offerings.
Each concentration carries its own club or organization should students choose to participate in extracurricular activities associated with their specialization.
Rice's MBA Specializations
General | Corporate Strategy | Corporate Finance | Investment Management | Marketing | Entrepreneurship
Applying to Rice
Prospective students must submit official transcripts, standardized test scores (GRE/GMAT), their professional work history, essays, and letters of recommendation. Candidates complete a virtual interview as part of the application process.
Program at a Glance
School Type: Private
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Tuition: $2,036/credit
Required Credits: 54 credits
Program Length: 24 months
Delivery Format: 100% online -
Sam Houston State UniversityLocation
Huntsville, TX
Tuition$12516
Graduation Rate52%
Founded in 1879, SHSU currently serves over 21,500 students. The Bearkat motto is "the measure of a life is its service," and the university offers eight departments, including online learning environments.
SHSU College of Business Administration
At SHSU, online degrees and online program transcripts do not indicate whether the graduate earned their degree in an online format. This 36-credit program emphasizes the integration and synthesis of various disciplines and remains open to students of any academic background.
Prospective students can apply to fall, spring, and summer terms with deadlines of Aug. 1, Dec. 1, and May 15, respectively. The curriculum includes 24 credits of core MBA coursework and 12 credits of electives.
Applying to SHSU
Admission requirements include a completed online graduate application form and associated fee, official transcripts, official GMAT scores, and a current resume.
Program at a Glance
School Type: Public
Accreditation: SACSCOC, AACSB
Tuition: $321/credit
Required Credits: 36 credits
Delivery Format: 100% online or on campus -
University of North TexasLocation
Denton, TX
Tuition$12600
Graduation Rate53%
With 14 schools and colleges offering 109 bachelor's, 94 master's, and 36 doctoral programs, UNT is one of the nation's largest universities. Accelerated online master's programs allow students to further their education in a flexible, fast-paced environment.
Brint Ryan College of Business
UNT's business school offers 14 MBA concentrations, seven of which are available entirely online. Students can pursue the other concentrations in hybrid or in-person formats.
Prospective students must complete four prerequisite courses prior to commencing the MBA syllabus, but they can still qualify for admission into the program without these courses. Those lacking prerequisite courses in micro- and macroeconomics, financial accounting, business law, and calculus must complete them prior to starting work on the main syllabus.
UNT's MBA Specializations
Business Analytics | Business Studies | Finance | Health Services Management | Information Technology | Marketing | Management | Marketing Analytics | Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management | Sport and Entertainment Management | Supply Chain Analytics | Supply Chain Management | Strategic Management
Applying to UNT
Prospective students complete an online graduate application and submit official transcripts. Additional requirements include an essay, a resume, three letters of recommendation, GMAT/GRE scores, and an interview.
Program at a Glance
School Type: Public
Accreditation: SACSCOC, AACSB
Tuition: $19,600/program (in state), $37,500/program (out of state)
Required Credits: 36 credits
Program Length: 14 months minimum
Delivery Format: 100% online (asynchronous), hybrid, or on campus
What To Expect From MBA Programs in Texas
The MBA experience varies by school, but programs usually share several common qualities. Typically, MBA programs take two years to complete with full-time enrollment, or about three years when enrolled part time. During those 2-3 years, students usually complete 30-60 credit hours, depending on program prerequisites and transfer credits. Some programs offer concentration options, which can lengthen completion times.
Students can also pursue an accelerated online MBA in Texas, allowing them to earn their degree in 12-18 months. Some programs have hybrid coursework, which blends on-campus and online learning, or evening-only classes, which let full-time employees attend classes in person.
Admission Requirements for MBAs
Admission to the best online MBA programs in Texas requires more than just a solid undergraduate GPA. These schools seek students who demonstrate key leadership traits, strong academics, and work experience.
MBA programs require application materials like official undergraduate transcripts, a professional resume, letters of recommendation, a personal essay, and standardized test scores from the GRE or GMAT. The requirements for minimum GPAs and test scores vary; however, MBA programs often look for students who scored high on standardized tests with a 2.5-3.0 minimum GPA.
Some online MBA programs in Texas may require applicants to hold 3-5 years of prior work experience, while other programs have no such stipulations. Admission to an MBA program requires a bachelor's degree, and those students with an undergraduate degree in fields other than business may need to complete additional prerequisite and foundational courses upon admission.
Specialized MBAs
Many of the best online MBAs in Texas offer several concentrations, allowing learners to tailor their degrees to their career goals.
Common options include MBAs in entrepreneurship, general management, and IT management. These qualify learners for Texas jobs in fields with high demand — particularly computer support. Some online MBA programs in Texas offer concentrations in healthcare operations and administration, preparing students for the rapidly growing healthcare industry in Texas.
Pursuing a specialized MBA can make graduates even more marketable to future employers. The skills and knowledge from these concentration courses prepare professionals for in-demand, niche careers, so applicants stand out amongst other candidates for upper-level positions and higher salaries.
Rankings for Best Online MBAs by Concentration
Accounting
Acquisitions
Business Analytics
Business Intelligence
Consulting
Criminal Justice
Economics
Entrepreneurship
Environmental Management
Executive MBA
Finance
Financial Planning
Global Management
Healthcare Administration
Healthcare Management
Hospitality Management
Human Resources
Information Security
Information Systems
Information Technology
International Business
Internet Marketing
Leadership
Management
Marketing
Nonprofit Management
Operations Management
Organizational Leadership
Project Management
Public Administration
Public Relations
Real Estate
Risk Management
Sports Management
Strategy and Strategic Management
Supply Chain Management
Technology
Learn More About Concentrations
Popular MBA Program Courses
MBA programs in Texas typically include a core curriculum, elective options, and a culminating course or project like a capstone or thesis. Though each school's class offerings vary, courses like those below are common across online MBA programs in Texas.
Accounting
Management and Leadership
Economics
Marketing
The MBA Capstone or Thesis
Online MBAs in Texas often require a culminating capstone project or thesis. Capstone projects ask students to apply program knowledge to real-world scenarios — students may work directly with a local business or develop and present a business plan, for example. Thesis projects are long papers that explore business issues in depth and require research and synthesis of program concepts.
Capstones are more common for MBA programs with culminating project requirements. These projects require more action and practice-based elements, allowing MBA students to employ the skills they learned during the program and gain valuable experience.
Research-based MBA programs are more likely to require a thesis. Thesis projects, more typical of research-intensive graduate programs, tend to include less actual practice and collaboration, instead requiring independent work.
Students generally complete their thesis or capstone during the final year of their program.
How Much Do MBAs Cost in Texas?
An online MBA program in Texas is a substantial financial investment, but many programs offer affordable tuition rates and a variety of funding options to help ease the financial burden.
The overall cost of an MBA is more than just tuition. Students also pay other required fees and incur costs for materials like books and a laptop. Additionally, graduate programs like the MBA often cost more per credit hour than undergraduate programs.
Students from other states who enroll in an online Texas MBA program may incur out-of-state tuition fees, which increase the degree's cost. However, some online programs offer in-state tuition for all learners. In the 2018-19 academic year, the average cost for tuition and required fees across all graduate programs in the country sat at $19,314.
Fortunately, schools often provide financing options to help cover tuition and fees, including financial aid, scholarships, fellowships, grants, and federal and private loans. Learn more about financial aid options below:
What Jobs Can MBAs Get You?
Career advancement and a higher earning potential are key advantages to earning an online MBA in Texas. Recent surveys show that employers highly favor candidates with a business degree, particularly an MBA. Applicants with MBAs stand out among other job candidates in a very crowded job market.
MBA graduates possess skills and knowledge that make them great candidates for careers in many industries. They serve as executives and managers in all kinds of organizations, handling a business's operations and day-to-day management.
MBA-holders earn an average annual salary of $89,550 working in roles like operations manager, project manager, senior financial analyst, and CFO.
Top Executives
Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers
Human Resources Managers
Financial Managers
Financial Analysts
Texas's Top MBA Employers
Earning an online MBA in Texas provides a wealth of career opportunities for graduates. Texas's economy ranks 15th in the nation, according to data from U.S. News & World Report. In Texas, 37% of residents are college-educated, and the report ranks the state 13th for overall economic growth.
Even amid the COVID-19 economic dip, Texas's economy has seen steady expansion for jobs in finance and professional and business services, fields that frequently employ MBA graduates.
The Texas Workforce Commission named computer user support specialists one of the state's "targeted" occupations due to these positions' rapid growth and the field's demand for qualified workers. This is an especially lucrative field for MBA graduates: Nationwide, IT management offers some of the highest salaries for managers.
The Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan areas are two of the highest employment areas for financial and investment analysts, and the College Station-Bryan area ranks as one of the top-paying metro areas in the country for chief executives. Texas ranks second in the nation for the highest employment levels for financial managers.
Top MBA Employers in Texas
- Apple: Apple designs and manufactures digital devices used around the globe by millions of consumers. In 2019, Apple announced a new campus in Austin, which would employ 5,000-15,000 people. MBA graduates possess skills in marketing and management, crucial to Apple's company and growth.
- Google: Google recently opened a campus in Austin. The company requires managers in many departments, and job openings on the new campus call for candidates with experience in business strategy, marketing and communications, and finance — all skills MBA grads excel in.
- American Airlines: American Airlines is headquartered in Fort Worth, and the Dallas-Fort Worth airport serves as one of its central hubs. American Airlines frequently recruits MBA graduates from Texas universities. They also offer MBA internships in areas like financial strategy and commercial strategy. American Airlines typically hires a large number of business and IT professionals.
Selecting Your Texas MBA Program
When choosing the best online MBA programs in Texas, our rankings offer a great place to start. However, prospective students should consider other factors when picking a program. We have outlined a few below:
- Accreditation: All the schools in our rankings are regionally accredited. Regional accrediting agencies audit institutions to ensure they conform to standards of academic excellence. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges provides regional accreditation for schools in Texas. Prospective MBA students should also consider which programs hold business-specific programmatic accreditation, generally provided by three main agencies: the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education.
- Concentrations: Students who wish to tailor their degree toward a specific field should seek programs with relevant concentration options. These specialized degrees prepare learners for niche jobs.
- Cost and Available Aid: Earning a graduate degree is a significant investment. Students should consider the cost per credit hour in each program, as well as any aid and funding options available to students.
- Program Length: MBA programs vary in length. Accelerated MBA programs can take one year, while part-time programs can take three. Students should consider how long they want to stay in school, and whether an accelerated or regular program best suits their goals.
Why You Should You Consider Online Schools in Texas
The use of online learning has grown exponentially in recent years, particularly among college students. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), more than one-third of graduate students enrolled in at least some online coursework in 2018. NCES data also reveals that almost 15% of students in Texas are enrolled exclusively online, demonstrating schools' commitments to quality online learning.
Students in other states who want to attend a school in Texas can enroll online for accessible education. Some online MBA programs in Texas may offer in-state tuition for out-of-state students, lessening the financial burden of earning a degree.
Online programs often make use of asynchronous coursework, which allows students to complete assignments and watch lectures on their own time. This flexibility is ideal for full-time workers looking to earn an MBA without leaving their job.
Online MBA Programs In Nearby States
Explore Other MBA School Rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time does an online MBA take?
Program length varies for MBAs based on program type and enrollment status. Accelerated programs may take as few as 12-18 months, while regular programs at part-time enrollment can take up to three years.How much does an MBA cost in Texas?
The overall cost of an MBA in Texas varies based on a variety of factors, including state residency, enrollment status, program length, and credit requirements. Most programs offer some form of financial aid, including federal and private loans.Do online MBAs have value?
Yes! Online MBAs provide the same education as their on-campus counterparts with the flexibility of completing coursework on your own time. Many prestigious schools in Texas offer rigorous online MBA programs.Does Texas have online degrees?
Yes! Schools in Texas offer a wealth of online degree options, including fully online MBA programs.Recommended Reading
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