Cox School of Business – SMU
The SMU Cox School of Business is located in Dallas, Texas, close to downtown. The school offers students one-year, two-year, online, professional, and executive MBA options. Hallmarks of the Cox MBA program include its small class size, alumni connections and location in a dynamic city.
FAQ
What is the tuition for Cox's MBA program?
The tuition for Cox's MBA program is $50,330 per year. The total cost of the Cox MBA program is $89,167 per year for domestic students and $89,467 for international students; this includes budgeted living expenses.
What is the average GMAT score for admission to Cox's MBA program?
The average GMAT score for the incoming class at Cox is 712.
Does the Cox MBA program accept the GRE?
Yes. The Cox MBA program has accepted the GRE for a few years now. The average GRE score is 315 for the latest class.
What is the minimum number of years of work experience required for admission to Cox's MBA program?
Cox does not state a minimum requirement for years of work experience. However, it is important for candidates to be aware that they are being considered against other candidates with an average of 5 years of experience.
What is the average number of years of work experience for admission to Cox's MBA program?
The average number of years of work experience among students in Cox's MBA program is 5.
What is the average starting salary for graduates of the Cox MBA program?
The average starting salary for Cox MBA graduates is $123,000.
How long is Cox's full-time MBA program?
Cox offers a traditional 2 year MBA program. However, Cox also has a more intensive 1 year option.
What are the application deadlines for the Cox full-time MBA program?
The Round 1 MBA application deadline is October 1, 2024. The Round 2 deadline is January 7, 2025. The Round 3 deadline is March 4, 2025. The Round 4 deadline is April 29, 2025. Cox then accepts applications on a rolling basis.
Admissions
The Class Profile
Cox’s MBA Class of 2026 is comprised of 85 students. Their average GMAT score was 712. For those who submitted GRE scores, they landed an average 315. Students’ average undergraduate GPA was 3.56. The new class matriculated with an average of 5 years of work experience. Forty-six percent of the class are women and 16% identify as underrepresented minorities. Meanwhile, 26% of the new class are international students.
Application Procedures
Four application rounds are offered to domestic Cox School full-time MBA applicants. The application requirements include an online application, résumé, essays, undergraduate transcripts and contact information for two professional references. GMAT or GRE scores are an optional part of the application. There is no application fee. Interviews are conducted by invitation only.
Application Checklist
- Online Application Form
- Résumé
- Two Essays
- GMAT or GRE Scores (optional)
- Undergraduate Transcripts
- Two Professional References
- TOEFL, IELTS, or Pearson Test of English Score (if applicable)
- Personal Interview (invitation only)
Essay Topic Analysis
SMU Cox Q&A's
SMU Cox LiveWire and DecisionWire
Academics
Faculty
The Cox School has a faculty of over 100 professors, adjunct professors, and lecturers who specialize in topics such as marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship. The school’s departments are the following: accounting; finance; information technology and operations management; marketing; management and organizations; real estate insurance and business law; and strategy and entrepreneurship.
Curriculum
The Cox School’s full-time MBA program can be completed in 22 months and requires 65 credit hours to graduate. Each course can be completed in eight weeks so students can easily customize their learning experience. In the first year, students take foundation courses in subjects such as accounting, finance, and marketing. The summer term is used for an internship, and the second year of coursework is when students can focus more on their academic concentrations. To this end, students may choose to specialize in up to two of the following concentrations: accounting; finance; general business; information technology & operations management (ITOM): business analytics; ITOM: supply chain; management; marketing; real estate; or strategy & entrepreneurship. In addition, students must complete the Global Leadership Program, which is a 10-day trip to a region of their choosing. For further international experience, students may apply for the international exchange program to live and study at one of the school’s 12 partner universities in Asia/Pacific Rim, Australia, Europe, or Latin America.
Other MBA Degree Options
The Cox School also offers a Full-time One-year MBA, a Professional MBA, an Online MBA, and an Executive MBA. The One-year MBA is designed for professionals who want to advance their careers quickly. The Professional MBA is suited to mid-level workers who want to obtain a degree without pausing their career, whereas the Executive MBA is for experienced business leaders who want to further their education with minimal disruption to their career. The online program is designed for working professionals looking to either advance their careers or change fields.
The One-Year MBA requires only 44 hours, and students take six to eight credits of coursework for each module. Despite the accelerated pace, students can still opt for a concentration in a specific area of study. Next, the Professional MBA requires 48 credit hours to graduate and can be completed in 24 months. The curriculum consists of eight-week courses that take place on evenings and weekends. Professional MBA students may also pursue a specialized area of study. Lastly, the Executive MBA can be completed in 21 months, and classes take place on Fridays and Saturdays of alternating weekends. The first year consists of courses in subjects such as decision modeling and macroeconomics, while the second year delves deeper into negotiations and strategic management.
Majors and Minors at the Cox School
- Accounting
- Finance: Further specializations in Corporate Finance, Energy Finance and Investments
- ITOM: Business Analytics
- ITOM: Supply Chain
- Management
- Marketing: Further specialization in Customer Engagement
- Real Estate
- Strategy & Entrepreneurship
Degree Offerings
Full-Time MBA Program
https://www.smu.edu/cox/Degrees-and-Programs/Two-Year-MBA
One-Year MBA Program
https://www.smu.edu/cox/Degrees-and-Programs/One-Year-MBA
Professional MBA Program
https://www.smu.edu/cox/Degrees-and-Programs/professional-mba
Executive MBA Program
https://www.smu.edu/cox/Degrees-and-Programs/executive-mba
Online MBA Program
Campus Life
Clubs, Conferences, & Competitions
MBA students at the Cox School can take part in over 20 clubs for networking and leadership development. Some clubs focus on professional development, such as the Entrepreneurship Club or the International Business Club. More social organizations, such as the Cask & Barrel Club or the Golf Club, allow students to have fun and network in a relaxed setting.
The Cox School also hosts conferences such as the O’Neil Center’s Annual Conference. Past topics have included Entrepreneurship for Education and Economic Freedom.
Competitions are also offered for Cox School students. The Information Technology & Operations Management Case Competition allows students to demonstrate their business skills to their peers and executives.
Campus Spaces
The business school is housed in four buildings: the Collins Executive Education Center, as well as the Maguire, Fincher, and Crow Buildings. The Collins Center, home to the Executive MBA program, has myriad classrooms, conference rooms, and boardrooms as well as seminar rooms tailored for teamwork. The other three buildings in the Cox School of Business Complex also house the Kitt Investing and Trading Center, which features an LED stock ticker, workstations, and 10 Bloomberg Professional terminals. The Business Complex also includes the Business Information Center, which is a library with state-of-the-art information technology to support business education.
MBA Careers
Career Services
The Cox Career Management Center (CMC) helps MBA candidates and alumni assess their skill sets and work to meet their career goals. Students can work with career coaches to prepare for interviews, internships, and full-time jobs. The CMC also hosts events that encourage students to network with organizations that are actively seeking to hire new interns and full-time employees.
Students interested in consulting careers may join the Cox Collegiate Consulting Academy (CCA), which is a year-long program that helps students develop consulting skills via case studies, workshops, and networking events. The CCA has partnered with companies such as Infosys, Hitachi Consulting, and Slalom Consulting. In addition, students have received offers from firms such as Deloitte Consulting, Bain & Company, and Ernst & Young.
Career Statistics
Ninety-eight percent of the SMU Cox Class of 2022 received job offers within three months of graduation and 97% accepted offers. The average base salary was $123,000 and average signing bonuses landed at $29,000.
Financial services was the most popular industry, as 26% of Cox MBAs joined it. Consulting took in 20% of graduates and 15% joined real estate. Thirteen percent joined tech and 11 percent pursued transportation/logistics.
Eighty-three percent of the Class of 2022 stayed in the Southwest upon graduation. Ten percent headed to the South U.S. Four percent settled in the U.S. West.
Financing
Tuition
For the full-time MBA, tuition is $50,330 in the 2024–2025 academic year. The estimated total, including university fees and living expenses, is $89,127 per year. International students incur an additional $300 in fees. Approximately 70% of MBA students receive scholarships, which range from 10% to 100% of tuition costs.
Financial Aid
All applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships, and those who wish to secure such funding are encouraged to apply in the first two rounds of admissions. Furthermore, the Cox Distinguished MBA Scholars awards, which cover full tuition, also allow students to participate in career forums in New York City and Washington, D.C. The Cox MBA ITOM Scholars program offers a $15,000 scholarship for students who plan to pursue careers in operations, business analytics, or information technology. In addition, students with marketing experience, or those who plan to obtain a concentration in marketing, may receive a $10,000 scholarship from the Marketing Scholars program.
Additional scholarships are also available. The Indian Scholars program offers merit scholarships to candidates from India, and the Latin America Scholars program offers similar support to candidates from Latin America. Lastly, the Forté Foundation provides the Forté Fellows program, and all female candidates are automatically considered.
Additional funding sources are also available for students at the Cox School. After filling out the FAFSA form, students may receive up to $20,500 in federal loans. Federal Graduate PLUS Loans are also available for students who need additional funding, and it may provide up to the total cost of education (excluding all other aid, such as scholarship or Stafford loans).
Lastly, the Cox School participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Veterans who want to pursue an MBA from the Cox School may receive $7,500 per academic year. In general, veteran students who are in good academic standing may qualify for these benefits.
Estimated Cost of Attendance 2024-2025
Tuition $50,330
University and Program Fees $9,938
Health Center Fees $300
International Student Fees (Orientation & Student Fee) $300
Housing $20,055
Books & Supplies $2,000
Transportation $2,504
Misc. Expenses $4,000
Totals
$89,127 Domestic
$89,427 International
Recent News
Contact
Mailing Address:
SMU Cox School of Business
P.O. Box: 750333
Dallas, TX 75275-0333
Phone: 214-768-1214
Fax: 214-768-3956
E-mail: [email protected]
Twitter: @SMUCox