For ambitious professionals seeking to elevate their careers without taking a break from their professional lives, the Texas McCombs Working Professional MBA program—ranked #6 in the U.S. according to U.S. News & World Report (2025) and #1 in Texas—continues to deliver exceptional career outcomes. The impressive results from the Class of 2024—spanning the Evening MBA in Austin, Weekend MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth, and Weekend MBA at Houston—demonstrate how the program empowers students to achieve their professional aspirations while balancing full-time work commitments.
Class of 2024: By the Numbers
The Working Professional MBA Class of 2024 career outcomes reveal compelling evidence of the program’s impact on graduates’ professional trajectories:
- $141,685 average salary post-graduation
- 18% average base salary increase
- 75% made a career change in industry, function, or role
- 45% received a promotion after completing their MBA
These metrics showcase the tangible return on investment that graduates experience shortly after completing their degree, reinforcing the program’s reputation for delivering on career advancement promises.
Industry Distribution by Program
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Working Professional MBA programs is how each location reflects different industry representation, creating unique classroom dynamics and networking opportunities tailored to regional business landscapes.
Evening MBA (Austin)
The top five industries represented in the Evening MBA Class of 2024:
- Technology (27%)
- Consulting (25%)
- Financial Services (11%)
- Manufacturing (7%)
- Energy (5%)
Austin’s reputation as a technology hub is reflected in the Evening MBA cohort, with technology and consulting representing the largest industry segments.
MBA at Dallas/Fort Worth
The Dallas/Fort Worth Class of 2024 showed these top industry concentrations:
- Financial Services (19%)
- Manufacturing (19%)
- Technology (17%)
- Consulting (14%)
- Healthcare (7%)
The Dallas/Fort Worth program demonstrates a balanced distribution across financial services, manufacturing, and technology, reflecting the diverse business ecosystem of North Texas.
MBA at Houston
The Houston Class of 2024 showed strong representation from these industries:
- Energy (36%)
- Manufacturing (28%)
- Consulting (10%)
- Healthcare (8%)
- Technology (6%)
The Houston program’s connection to the region’s strong energy sector is evident, with energy and manufacturing comprising the majority of the class industry representation.
Building Career Success Through a Robust Network
The Working Professional & Executive MBA graduating class of 2024 completed the program while working at approximately 200 unique companies. This unique representation has contributed to the remarkable statistic that over the past five years, Working Professional MBA students have gone on to work at nearly 800 unique organizations.
This expansive employer network creates a rich peer learning environment where students can gain insights from various industries and organizational cultures. The connections made during the program form the foundation of a robust professional network that graduates leverage throughout their careers.
Career Paths: From Entry to Success
When entering the program, students typically identify with one of four career paths:
- Enhancers seek to continue their upward trajectory in the same career function or industry
- Switchers aim to transition to a different role, function, and/or industry
- Explorers want to learn about different career paths while pursuing their MBA
- Entrepreneurs focus on starting their own business
Regardless of their starting point, the data shows that Working Professional MBA students achieve significant career advancement, with 75% successfully making career changes and 45% securing promotions within 4 months of graduation.
The McCombs Career Advantage
The McCombs Working Professional MBA programs provide a comprehensive career support system that includes:
- Dedicated career education courses
- One-on-one coaching
- Industry-specific networking events
- Alumni connections and mentoring
- Post-graduation career support
These resources, combined with the program’s academic rigor and focus on real-world application, create a powerful formula for career advancement.
The career management team specializes in meeting working professional students where they are when they enter the program, providing education, support, and resources to help them navigate their career goals successfully. Through thoughtful career planning and dedicated coaching, students gain the tools and confidence to pursue advancement within their current organization or explore new opportunities aligned with their strengths and aspirations.
Return on Investment: Beyond the Numbers
While salary increases and promotion rates provide tangible evidence of the program’s value, the true return on investment extends far beyond financial metrics.
Beyond the impressive salary increase and career acceleration, students experience a profound personal transformation. The MBA journey cultivates increased self-confidence, transferable skills like advanced project management and strategic negotiation, and a deeper understanding of personal strengths and career goals. Students develop enhanced relationship management, learn to challenge assumptions and gain the courage to ask critical questions that shape their professional trajectory.
The real magic happens in the relationships and personal growth. Graduates build a rich network of unique, ambitious professionals from varied backgrounds, creating lifelong connections that inspire and challenge them. They expand their worldview, develop greater social and cultural awareness, and discover an enhanced ability to contribute to community causes. As the saying goes, “You are the product of the five people you spend the most time with” – and an MBA surrounds you with innovative, driven individuals who push you to reimagine your potential, transforming the experience from a mere degree into a life-changing journey of personal and professional development.
Discover the full ROI picture through our comprehensive analysis.
Looking Forward: Class of 2025 and Beyond
The success of the Class of 2024 continues the strong tradition of excellence established throughout the history of the Texas McCombs Working Professional MBA programs. Last year’s impressive outcomes created strong momentum that carries forward with this graduating class and sets the stage for future cohorts.
As the business landscape continues to evolve, the McCombs Working Professional MBA programs remain committed to preparing graduates with the skills, knowledge, and connections needed to thrive in an increasingly complex global economy. This ongoing commitment to excellence ensures that each graduating class is well-positioned to make meaningful contributions to their organizations and industries.
Start Your McCombs Journey
Ready to transform your career while continuing to work full-time? The Texas McCombs Working Professional MBA programs offer the flexibility, academic excellence, and career support you need to achieve your professional goals.
Learn more about our program options or attend an upcoming admissions event to discover how a McCombs MBA can accelerate your career success.
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