Jones and McCombs are two highly regarded MBA programs, but they differ in key areas. McCombs holds a stronger US News ranking. McCombs reports a higher median base salary. McCombs offers lower annual tuition, and McCombs delivers the stronger 5-year ROI. McCombs is the more selective program by acceptance rate.
| Metric | Jones | McCombs |
|---|---|---|
| Rankings | ||
| US News Rank | #282026 | #182026 |
| Bloomberg BBW Rank | #342024 | #152024 |
| Financial Times Rank | — | #352025 |
| QS Global MBA Rank | — | #302025 |
| Admissions & Financials | ||
| Annual Tuition | $72,560 | $56,034 |
| Median Base Salary | $153,000 | $168,000 |
| 5-Year ROI | 427% | 650% |
| Class Size | 130 | 261 |
| Acceptance Rate | 33.0% | 28.5% |
| Median GMAT | 710 | 706 |
| Average GPA | — | — |
Green = better value per metric. Rankings: lower rank number = better. Salary & ROI: higher = better. Acceptance rate & tuition: lower = better.
The Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University is Houston's premier MBA program and one of the top energy MBA programs in the world. Its small class size (~130) ensures exceptional faculty access and tight alumni networks. Jones graduates excel in energy, consulting, and finance, with strong placement at energy majors (ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron), investment banks, and McKinsey/BCG/Bain. Located in the Texas Medical Center, it also has growing healthcare and biotech placement.
UT Austin McCombs offers one of the best value propositions in MBA education. Located in the booming Austin tech scene, McCombs has strong placements in consulting, tech, and energy. The school is known for its Plus program and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Both are highly ranked MBA programs. McCombs ranks higher in US News, but McCombs delivers a stronger 5-year ROI of 650%. The best choice depends on your career goals and preferred location.
McCombs is more selective with a 28.5% acceptance rate, compared to 33.0% for Jones.
Jones reports a median base salary of $153,000, while McCombs reports $168,000. Actual salary varies significantly by industry and function.
Jones annual tuition is $72,560 and McCombs is $56,034. McCombs offers a 16,526 lower annual cost.
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