The Value of an MBA Today
Is getting an MBA worth it? For many aspiring business leaders, weighing the benefits of an MBA marks a pivotal point in their career. But for Joe Hahn, associate dean for graduate programs at Texas McCombs, there’s no question: the answer is a resounding yes — and especially if you choose the right program. And Hahn knows firsthand what a McCombs MBA can offer.
While Hahn was working full-time and raising children, he took the leap and enrolled in the Executive MBA program — which he picked so he could continue to work and go to school at the same time. “It changed my life,” he says.
As a first-generation college student, Hahn says that “good mentorship” at his MBA made all the difference. Today, he helps students navigate the same path he once walked, leading one of the top MBA programs in Texas.
A Top-Tier Degree with a Strong ROI
But Texas McCombs is not just one of the top MBA programs in Texas — it’s ranked in the top 20 in the country. In April 2025, the US News & World Report rated it as #16 for Full-Time MBA, #6 for Part-Time MBA, and #12 for its Executive MBA program. These distinctions reflect academic excellence, faculty leadership, and employer respect. But as Hahn points out, McCombs also offers something else: value. With a relatively low tuition compared to peer schools, the return on investment is significant.
“We’re in that top group of peer schools…but we’re also a really good MBA value proposition,” Hahn says.
And then consider the scale of the McCombs network: Over 100,000 living alumni and more than half a million University of Texas graduates make up a vast and supportive community. Whether you’re starting out or pivoting your career, that kind of network is sure to open doors.
Programs Tailored to Fit Your Needs
One of McCombs’ defining features is its variety of MBA programs designed to meet students where they’re at. The Full-Time MBA in Austin is ideal for those seeking total immersion. But many students, like Hahn himself, couldn’t take a break from work. “I wanted to keep my career going,” he said. For them, McCombs offers programs in Dallas and Houston — where you can take classes held on alternating weekends — as well as Evening and Executive MBA options in Austin.
One of the major benefits of an MBA at Texas McCombs is this variety of options, which enables students to balance their studies with work and family life – and helps more people access a top-ranked education without having to relocate.
Teaching Leadership and Management
While Dean Hahn has a finance background, the program is broader, he says — it’s a leadership and management degree. “Part of that is mixing all those disciplines together and learning how to work with people to get things done,” says Hahn.
Collaborative MBA Culture, Not Cutthroat Competition
While many top MBA programs are known for fierce competition, McCombs is known for something different: collaboration. Students work together in diverse cohorts that reflect a range of industries, interests, and life experiences.
“This is not a sharp-elbowed program where we’re trying to beat each other out for that investment banking job,” said Hahn. “People have high aspirations, but they also want to help their teammates out and celebrate collective success.”
It’s a space where people learn from each other as much as from faculty. That ethos of shared growth creates future leaders who are not only smart, but also inclusive, communicative, and team oriented.
Career Versatility: MBA Students from All Backgrounds
Earning your MBA from McCombs doesn’t negate your past experience — instead, it builds on it. Hahn began his career in engineering before transitioning to the energy sector — and, ultimately, to academia. Throughout these career moves, the McCombs MBA has proven critical. “The MBA is really a program that takes students from all sorts of different backgrounds,” said Hahn, “and leverages it.”
So, whether you’re an IT professional, starting your own printmaking company, or a marketing consultant, the McCombs MBA equips you with the leadership and management skills to take your career to the next level.
“Our students have the ability to get things done,” says Hahn. “They have great people skills because of the culture of our program, and it creates a well-rounded student.”
A Vast, Global, Connected Network
One of the benefits of an MBA from McCombs is that you’re not only joining an exclusive club — you’re becoming part of a global community, with more than 100,000 McCombs alumni living across the globe. Enrolling in the program translates into everything from international study trips to meeting alumni chapters around the world, offering students unique exposure to international business culture and helping shape lifelong professional connections.
“You can be in the airport in London, and somebody’s going to come up to you and say, ‘I see that Bevo on your shirt,’” Hahn says. That sense of connection — and the opportunities it brings — is a hallmark of the McCombs MBA alumni network.
So: Is the McCombs MBA Worth It? Absolutely.
If you’re considering pursuing a business degree, McCombs offers one of the top MBA programs in the country. The blend of academic excellence, flexible formats, strong alumni support, and collaborative culture positions it as a top choice for aspiring business leaders.
From Hahn’s personal experience to the career transformation stories of countless students, one thing is clear: the Texas McCombs MBA delivers. “We’re trying to educate leaders to go out and do big things in society,” Hahn says.
Whether you’re planning an MBA career change or wondering, “is an MBA worth it?” McCombs offers the education, support, and network to help you take the next step.
Start Your McCombs Journey
Ready to begin your MBA journey? Learn more about the Texas McCombs Hildebrand MBA program. For detailed information about application components and deadlines, check out our Application Process page.
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