UT-Austin’s McCombs School of Business to Relocate Houston MBA Program to CityCentre in 2026
The University of Texas at Austin has announced a significant strategic shift for its Houston-based educational operations. Starting in the fall of 2026, the McCombs School of Business will move its Working Professional MBA program from its long-standing location at the Texas Medical Center (TMC) to a new facility at CityCentre in West Houston.
The McCombs School has maintained a presence in Houston for over two decades, utilizing facilities associated with the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center to serve executives and professionals. The program is structured to allow students to maintain full-time employment while earning their degree through intensive weekend sessions. This relocation marks a departure from the city’s central healthcare and life sciences hub toward a commercial district known for its concentration of retail, hospitality, and corporate offices.
The decision to lease approximately 25,000 square feet of space at CityCentre—a mixed-use development located near the intersection of Interstate 10 and Beltway 8—aligns with a broader trend of business schools positioning themselves near corporate corridors to improve recruitment and student experience. The new location places the program in closer proximity to the Energy Corridor and affluent residential suburbs in West Houston, such as Memorial and Katy. The move aims to provide students with modernized classroom technology and immediate access to a walkable district featuring hotels and dining options, amenities that were less accessible in the clinical and institutional environment of the TMC.
However, the relocation presents logistical challenges and potential drawbacks for certain stakeholders. The Texas Medical Center location offered a unique ecosystem for professionals specifically interested in the intersection of business, biotechnology, and healthcare—a massive economic driver in the region. Furthermore, Houston’s sprawling geography means the move will significantly alter commute dynamics. While the new site benefits residents of West Houston, it may alienate prospective students living in the Inner Loop, Downtown, or southern suburbs, who will face increased travel times along the heavily congested I-10 corridor.
University officials have confirmed that the transition is timed to ensure no disruption to current cohorts, with the new facility slated to open specifically for the incoming class of 2026. The administration is betting that the shift to a modern, amenity-rich corporate environment will ultimately broaden the program’s appeal to a wider range of industries beyond the medical sector.
