Professional MBA

Source: https://business.rice.edu/rice-mba/professional-mba Parent: https://business.rice.edu/

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Steve Summers

Manager of MBA Recruiting, Working Professional Programs

713-348-5375 Email

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Lucia Berecova

Assistant Director, Professional MBA Programs

713-348-5726 Email

Schedule a Consultation with Lucia

Brittany Dean

Assistant Director, Professional MBA Programs

713-348-5042 Email

Schedule a Consultation with Brittany

Advance With Our Top-Ranked Part-Time MBA at Rice University in Houston, Texas

Round 3 application deadline: April 3, 2026. Apply today.\ Test scores may not be required. Please review our admissions guide for more information.

Our top-ranked Professional MBA program offers the reputation, curriculum and campus experience you're seeking in a part-time MBA. Study alongside fellow Houston professionals, expand your perspective and build your network right here in Texas. What you learn in the classroom today can be applied at work tomorrow to advance your career.

Our part-time MBA program, centrally located in Houston, provides the same top notch faculty, education and resources as our Full-Time MBA program. Choose evening or alternating weekend classes that fit your busy schedule. Immerse yourself in a learning environment as diverse as Houston itself — the vibrant city we call home.

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Applications are open. Round 3 deadline: April 3, 2026.

Application Requirements and Deadlines\ Attend an Admissions Event

Part-Time MBA Program Details

Average work experience: 8 years
Work experience range: 3 to 12 years
Program length: 2 years
Evening standard class schedule: 2 to 3 evenings a week
Weekend standard class schedule: Every other Friday and Saturday
Location: On campus
Your degree: Master of Business Administration

Applying to our Professional MBA program by the priority deadline improves your chances of securing a seat. It also gives you more time to prepare and grants access to networking events months before the program begins.

The Rice Reputation

1

Graduate Entrepreneurship Program

Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine, 2020-2026

5

Best MBA For Finance

Princeton Review, 2023, 2024

7

Best Part-Time MBA Program

Fortune, 2024

13

Best Part-Time MBA Program

U.S. News & World Report, 2025

1

MBA in Texas

(based on global rankings) Financial Times, 2023-2026

Interested in Rice Business?

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MBA Admissions

Rice Business welcomes professionals from diverse backgrounds. We believe that you belong here — and we are dedicated to helping you get here. Please use the application requirements checklist to guide you through the application. We accept the GMAT, GRE or Executive Assessment test scores and we have no preference for which test you take. Many of our events walk you through the application process. Sign up for an event today! Connect with our recruiting and admissions team for guidance on the application process and get to know us better. Feel free to reach out directly to Steve Summers. \ \

CAREER OUTCOMES

Graduates of our Professional MBA program consistently secure new roles, earn promotions and transition to new industries, leveraging the skills and knowledge gained from our program. If you're looking to pivot your career or advance in your current role, our Professional MBA program can help. Check out our employment report to learn more about our graduates' career success.

Key Highlights
Average Base Salary: $152,290
Industry Change: 32% of students
Company Change: 52% of students
Position Level Change: 34% of students

Top Industries
Energy: 30% of students
Consulting: 20% of students
Financial Services: 15% of students
Technology: 12% of students

\ Note: Only includes data for outcomes collected within 5 months of the student's graduation year.

Top Hiring Employers

Upcoming Events

Mar 24

Professional and Hybrid MBA Programs Overview

12:00pm to 12:30pm

Virtual

Apr 1

Working Professional MBA Programs - Application Overview

12:00pm to 12:30pm

Virtual

Apr 3

McNair Hall Tour - Working Professional MBA Programs

2:50pm to 4:00pm

Rice University - McNair Hall

See All Events

WHY RICE IS THE BEST MBA IN HOUSTON

Flexible Schedule

The Professional MBA at Rice Business offers flexible part-time options for working professionals, including evening and alternating weekend classes. The program is tailored to accommodate busy schedules while providing the same curriculum and faculty as the Full-Time program. You'll have access to over 100 electives in the second year, depending on your schedule availability.

Learn more about the flexible MBA program schedule.

Strong Rankings

Nationally and globally, the Rice Business MBA programs are consistently recognized for excellence by major media and have risen steadily in the rankings over the last decade. U.S. News and World Report ranks Rice Professional MBA #15.

Discover more about Rice Business rankings.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

The program emphasizes the development and real-world application of critical skills such as strategic thinking, problem solving and leadership through co-curricular activities. Professional MBA students have the opportunity to engage in various leadership roles through the Doerr Institute for New Leaders, various clubs or the Global Field Experience.

Explore experiential learning opportunities at Rice Business.

Strong ROI

The part-time MBA program offers a significant return on investment by enhancing career opportunities and increasing earning potential — without interrupting current employment. Financial aid options are also available to help manage the cost of the program.

Learn more about financing your MBA and its ROI.

Ongoing Career Support

Our Career Development Office is available to students and alumni, and is composed of a career advising team and an employer relations team. The talent and experience of our students draw a wide variety of employers and industries, led by consulting, financial services, energy and technology.

Learn about career outcomes for our Professional MBA students.

We Say You Belong Here. And We Mean It.

We offer a tight-knit MBA program in a city brimming with opportunities. Gain real-world experiences, expand your network and shape your career. Our research-based curriculum, innovation and purpose-driven approach empower you to become the leader you aspire to be. Join one of the best MBAs for professionals.

Discover the top reasons to choose Rice Business.

The Professional MBA Student Experience

My favorite part of the program is learning things that I use immediately at work. Being a student has made me a better manager almost from day one.

Matthew Parrish

Professional MBA

Request More Information

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Get to Know Our Faculty

Kerry Back

J. Howard Creekmore Professor of Finance and Professor of Economics\ Finance Area Coordinator\ Ph.D. Area Advisor – Finance

Tolga Tezcan

Professor of Operations Management

Linda Capuano

Professor in the Practice of Energy Management\ Senior Advisor on Energy Curriculum and Student Success

Michelle "Mikki" Hebl

Professor of Psychology and Management – Organizational Behavior (by courtesy)\ Martha & Henry Malcolm Lovett Chair of Psychology

See All Faculty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Professional MBA and the Full-Time MBA?

Whether you choose part-time or full-time, you’ll benefit from Rice’s distinguished reputation, expert faculty and a career-boosting curriculum. The Professional MBA is designed for working professionals who want to continue their careers while pursuing their MBA. It offers flexible evening or weekend classes.

Not sure which format is right for you?\ \ Take our MBA program fit quiz here. - How long does the Professional MBA program take to complete?

The PMBA program at Rice Business is designed to be completed in 22 months, spread across four consecutive semesters.\ \ Learn more about the curriculum and schedule for the Professional MBA here. - What is the cost of the Professional MBA program?

The cost of the PMBA varies depending on the format. Detailed information about the tuition fees for both the evening and weekend formats can be found on our Tuition and Fees page.\ \ Learn why a part-time MBA from Rice delivers a strong return on investment (ROI) here. - Will I have access to the same resources as Full-Time MBA students?

Yes, Rice PMBA students have access to the same esteemed faculty, career development resources and networking opportunities (depending on schedule availability) as Full-Time MBA students. \ \ Check out some of our career highlights of our Professional MBA students here. - What networking opportunities are offered to Professional MBA students?

At Rice Business, we emphasize co-curricular programming, including major conferences, case competitions, leadership coaching, student clubs and more, to enhance essential business skills. Learn more about the networking and leadership opportunities for our Professional MBA students.

Check our full list of frequently asked questions for our Professional MBA program.