The Best MBA Programs in Dallas for 2027
Key Points: Best MBA Programs in Dallas
- Texas Christian University ranks #1 in the Dallas area on a 91.4 Program Score, with an 86% graduation rate.
- Private schools hold most of the places on this list.
- Parker University follows at #2 with an 81.8 Program Score.
- Programs analyzed
- 5
- Schools ranked
- 5
- Average graduation rate
- 59%
We analyzed 5 accredited MBA programs in Dallas and the surrounding metro and ranked 5 schools on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes. Graduation rates across the 5 ranked schools run from 42% to 86%, a wide gap for the same credential.
Texas Christian University leads with a 91.4 Program Score on an 86% graduation rate. Across all 5 ranked MBA programs in Dallas the average graduation rate is 59%, ranging from 42% to 86%. 2 of the 5 are public and 3 are private, a split that drives most of the price gap below. National median pay for the field is $105,770 a year per the BLS, the benchmark every school on this list feeds into regardless of what it charges.
The Top MBA Programs in Dallas at a Glance
TCU leads at 91.4, and Nelson closes the chart at 58.2. Longer bars rank higher.
How the MBA Programs in Dallas Are Scored
Each Program Score runs from 0 to 100: outcomes count for 44%, selectivity and academics for 38%, and scale and value for 18%, all from federal data. See how the weights work.
The 5 Best MBA Programs in Dallas, Ranked for 2027
The 5 best MBA Programs in Dallas, ranked by outcomes.
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 86%
- Admit rate
- 44%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Texas Christian University's Executive MBA runs 18 months of weekend classes with the same cohort of about 30 business leaders and one-on-one leadership coaching.
- 86% graduation rate
- Program Score 91.4
- 18-month weekend format
- Fixed cohort of about 30 leaders
Texas Christian University offers an Executive MBA through the Neeley School of Business, designed for professionals who already lead in their companies. Classes meet on weekends. The program lasts 18 months, and students take every course with the same classmates, in a group the page puts at about 30 leaders. The curriculum uses the case method, and many projects are team based. Sample courses include Strategic Vision and Analysis, Business Analytics for Managerial Decisions, Ethical Decision-Making, Negotiations, Advanced Financial Management and Leadership in a Complex World. The school says it partners with Korn/Ferry on an Agile Strategic Leadership model built around 19 core competencies, and it highlights one-on-one leadership coaching.
The federal numbers show a selective private school. TCU enrolls 12,938 students, admits 44% of applicants and graduates 86% of them. The program earns a Program Score of 91.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits experienced managers who want to keep working full time, learn from peers with real management experience and take a cohort-based, coaching-heavy approach to a graduate business degree.
Parker University
Dallas, TX · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 74%
- Admit rate
- Open admission
- Tuition
- Varies by program
An MBA with two entry tracks, where GMAT, GRE or MAT scores can be waived by a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or a graduate degree.
- 74% graduation rate
- Program Score 81.8
- Open admission
- Test waivers available
Parker University's Master of Business Administration offers two tracks. Applicants with a four-year degree in business or the equivalent can enter directly. Applicants with a bachelor's degree in another field must first complete foundational courses, Principles of Financial Accounting (ACCT 2301) and Principles of Management (MANA 3301), with a grade of B or above. Either track asks for a minimum GMAT score of 450, a GRE composite of 1350 or a MAT score at the 40th percentile. Those tests can be waived with a graduate degree, an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, or a GPA of 2.7 or higher with two years of documented administrative, managerial or professional experience. Provisional admission is possible at the discretion of the dean, with a B or above required in the first six hours.
Federal data classify Parker as open admission, and 74% of its students graduate. The Program Score is 81.8 out of 100, and that score is the basis of this program's ranking. The program page lists test requirements with several waiver routes, so applicants should confirm current terms with the school. It fits working professionals and career changers with a non-business bachelor's degree who need a defined path through prerequisites and some flexibility on entrance exams.
Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 49%
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
An MBA with an Accounting Emphasis that runs 36 to 45 semester credit hours and says plainly that it does not prepare students for the CPA Exam.
- Program Score 71
- 96% admit rate
- 36 to 45 credit hours
- Accounting emphasis
Texas Woman's University offers an MBA with an Accounting Emphasis through its accounting and finance department. The program teaches accounting for managers: cost control, budgeting, breakeven analysis and project proposals. It requires 36 to 45 semester credit hours, depending on whether proficiency courses in financial accounting, business foundations and financial management are waived. The core covers managerial accounting, global business, business ethics and the legal environment, managerial finance, organizational behavior, decision analysis, marketing management and a business strategy course. The emphasis adds Cornerstones of Accounting, Financial Statement Analysis, Accounting Ethics and Contemporary Topics in Accounting. The university states that this degree does not prepare students for the CPA Exam or other professional accounting designations, and it directs those students to its Master of Science in Accountancy.
Federal data show that TWU admits 96% of applicants and that 49% of students complete a degree. The Program Score is 71 out of 100, and that score is the basis of this program's ranking. The program fits working managers and career changers who want financial literacy inside a general MBA, including people who already hold a non-business bachelor's degree and can use the proficiency courses to fill gaps. It is not the route for anyone aiming at CPA licensure or another professional accounting credential, so check the goal before enrolling.
University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX · Public
- Grad rate
- 42%
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
A 30-credit, 100% online MBA with 8-week terms that the school says can be finished in as little as 12 months, with no GMAT required.
- Program Score 63.5
- 42% graduation rate
- 30 credits, 100% online
- Data Analytics and Accounting concentrations
The University of North Texas at Dallas offers a 30-credit Master of Business Administration delivered 100% online for working professionals. The curriculum is 15 hours of core courses, 12 hours of electives and a 3-hour capstone project. Courses run in 8-week terms with fall, spring and summer intakes, and the school says students can graduate in as little as 12 months. No GMAT is required and there are no prerequisite courses, though online leveling courses with faculty support are available. Concentrations include Data Analytics, Strategic Management, Accounting (aimed at the CPA exam), Human Resources and Organization Development, and Economic Development, which is offered with the University of Southern Mississippi and adds a graduate certificate. Students can also build a General MBA from electives.
Federally, UNT Dallas reports a 42% graduation rate and admits 84% of applicants. The program holds a Program Score of 63.5 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It suits working professionals who want a short, fully online degree with a choice of specializations and a service learning component, and who want an accounting concentration that supports the CPA path without leaving their job.
Nelson University
Waxahachie, TX · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 42%
- Admit rate
- 89%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Nelson University's online MBA is a 36-hour degree with optional Marketing or Healthcare Administration specializations and a Christian faith framework.
- Program Score 58.2
- 42% graduation rate
- 36-hour online MBA
- Marketing or Healthcare Administration specialization
Nelson University's Master of Business Administration is a single 36-hour major offered online with flexible scheduling and an option to finish at an accelerated pace. Coursework covers organizational strategy, global business principles, finance and economics, managerial decision-making, and statistics and analytics. Students may add a specialization in Marketing or Healthcare Administration, though one is not required. The school presents the degree for graduates who want to start or support a business, work inside a company, or bring business skills into a nonprofit or ministry setting, and it integrates Christian faith into the curriculum.
Nelson lists a minimum 2.5 GPA, standardized test scores, a personal statement and a recommendation from a church or ministry leader as admission requirements. Federal data shows a 42% graduation rate at Nelson and an 89% admit rate, which signals a broadly accessible program rather than a selective one. The program earns a Program Score of 58.2 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits working adults who want an online format and a faith-centered setting, and who value smaller classes and close contact with faculty.
Open admission: the school admits every qualified applicant, so it reports no admit rate.
Graduation Rates at the Ranked MBA Programs in Dallas
The median school on this list graduates 49% of its students. The highest rates belong to Texas Christian University (86%) and Parker University (74%). The school with the highest rate is also ranked #1.
- #1 Texas Christian University86% graduation rate
- #2 Parker University74% graduation rate
- #3 Texas Woman's University49% graduation rate
Institution-wide graduation rates reported to IPEDS. They describe the whole school, not this program alone.
How Selective Are the MBA Programs in Dallas?
On this list, 1 of 5 schools is open-admission, taking every qualified applicant. Of the rest, 1 school admits fewer than half of applicants, the most selective being Texas Christian University at 44%.
- #1 Texas Christian University44% admitted
- #4 University of North Texas at Dallas84% admitted
- #5 Nelson University89% admitted
Institution-wide admit rates for first-time applicants, reported to IPEDS. Open-admission schools do not report one.
Public and Private MBA Programs in Dallas
This list holds 2 public and 3 private nonprofit schools. Their median Program Scores: 67.3 public and 81.8 private nonprofit.
Control (public, private nonprofit, for-profit) as reported to IPEDS. Public schools usually charge residents less; private schools charge everyone the same rate.
Online Options Among the MBA Programs in Dallas
Of the 5 schools ranked here, 3 offer distance education. The highest ranked is Parker University, at #2.
- #2 Parker UniversityDallas, TX
- #3 Texas Woman's UniversityDenton, TX
- #5 Nelson UniversityWaxahachie, TX
Based on each school reporting distance-education offerings to IPEDS. Whether this specific degree is fully online varies, so confirm the format with the school.
Campus Size Across the MBA Programs in Dallas
Enrollment on this list runs from 1,794 at Nelson University to 15,361 at Texas Woman's University. Of the 5, 3 enroll fewer than 5,000.
Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.
What Graduates of the MBA Programs in Dallas Earn
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Texas Christian UniversityTCU | $151,190 |
| #3 | Texas Woman's UniversityTexas Woman's | $96,440 |
| #5 | Nelson UniversityNelson | $62,264 |
Graduates of TCU earn the most four years after finishing, a median of $151,190; the lowest figure here is $62,264 at Nelson.
TCU leads on both counts: the top rank among these schools and the highest graduate pay.
College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level.
What MBA Programs in Dallas Cost
Price in Dallas follows sector. Texas Woman's University in Denton and University of North Texas at Dallas are the two public schools among the 5 ranked, while Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Parker University and Nelson University are private, and the two public schools charge in-state residents well below any of the three private ones.
Public figures here are the in-state resident rate, so an applicant moving to Dallas from another state should read the out-of-state column before treating the public end of this list as cheap. Check each school's own page for current MBA pricing before comparing.
How Selective MBA Programs in Dallas Are
Admission odds across the MBA programs in Dallas are nowhere near uniform. Texas Christian University admits 44% of applicants, the tightest on this list, while Texas Woman's University in Denton admits 96% and Parker University admits openly. A candidate with an uneven undergraduate record has real options here without leaving Dallas.
That is a 52-point spread among the schools reporting an admit rate, wide enough that the MBA programs in Dallas do not form a single tier. A file that is competitive at Texas Woman's University in Denton will not necessarily clear Texas Christian University, so applying across the range rather than within one band is the sensible strategy here. Completion does not follow the same order: Texas Christian University in Fort Worth finishes 86% of its students, the strongest on this list on a 44% admit rate, which is why selectivity is one input to the Program Score rather than the score itself.
Accreditation Across Dallas Business Schools
The MBA programs in Dallas lean private: 3 of the 5 ranked schools are private against 2 public, which is most of why prices on this list differ as much as they do. Accreditation is what makes those prices comparable at all. For an MBA the signal employers read is business-school accreditation from AACSB sitting on top of the university's institutional accreditation, and a private school charging more is not thereby carrying it. Confirm it on the school's own page: the lowest-priced school on this list and the priciest are held to the same standard.
Why Study for an MBA in Dallas
The 5 ranked schools are spread across 4 towns, which makes "Dallas" a looser description than the heading suggests. Texas Christian University in Fort Worth tops the list, with Parker University in Dallas and Texas Woman's University in Denton behind it, and the table names the town of each. For a part-time cohort meeting on weeknights that spread is the deciding constraint: a campus across the metro is a different degree from one on the way home, whatever the ranking says.
3 of the 5 also run a confirmed online option, which keeps the credential but gives up most of the local access that justifies studying in Dallas in the first place.
Careers and Pay After a Dallas MBA
Every one of the MBA programs in Dallas points toward the same national labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts national median pay for the field at $105,770 a year, a figure that describes the profession rather than any single school here, and it holds whether a graduate paid $5,712 at Texas Woman's University or $61,650 at Texas Christian University. That is the tradeoff this ranking exists to expose: in the federal wage data, a higher price does not buy a higher salary.
Set against a single national benchmark, the 11-fold tuition spread on this page is the reason to look hard at the cheap end before the famous end. Texas Woman's University in Denton and Texas Christian University in Fort Worth feed graduates into the same wage distribution, and nothing in the federal data attaches a higher salary to the higher price. Pay in a metro the size of Dallas generally runs above the national median, and so does the cost of living that absorbs it. Full occupational detail, including job-growth projections and metro wage breakdowns, is published by the BLS.
Keep Exploring
MBA Programs in Dallas: Your Questions, Answered
What is the best MBA program in Dallas?
By Program Score, Texas Christian University ranks first among the 5 ranked MBA programs in Dallas, with a 91.4 score and an 86% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes together, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one of them.
Do MBA programs in Dallas require the GMAT?
Fewer of them every year, and the 5 ranked here are not uniform about it. Texas Christian University is the tightest on this list at 44% and Texas Woman's University in Denton the most open at 96%, so the answer depends on which of them a candidate is applying to. Many programs now waive the GMAT or GRE for applicants with several years of relevant work, and the terms differ program by program, so check them on each school's admissions page before registering for a test. A waiver saves the fee and the study time, and it does not loosen the rest of the file.
How much does an MBA cost in Dallas?
Tuition among the ranked Dallas schools runs from $5,712 to $61,650 a year. Public schools publish the in-state resident rate, so students moving in from another state should check the out-of-state column before comparing. Neither figure includes Dallas living costs, which are a real part of the total.
How many MBA programs in Dallas does this ranking cover?
We analyzed 5 accredited MBA programs across Dallas and the surrounding metro and ranked the top 5 schools, listing one entry per school on its strongest program. This list covers the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, so some schools sit outside the city line; the city of each is shown in the table.
Is it worth doing an MBA in Dallas instead of online?
3 of the 5 ranked schools run a confirmed online option, so in Dallas this is a live choice rather than a hypothetical one. An accredited online program carries identical standing on a transcript, since accreditation attaches to the school and the program rather than to the delivery format. What a campus adds is proximity to the employers that school recruits into. The honest comparison is local access against the cost of being here.