University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) – Tuition, Programs & Admissions

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is a public R1 research university in Arlington, Texas — part of the UT System — with 41,600+ students, an estimated 80% acceptance rate, and international graduate tuition of $25,714/year (2026–27).

UTA is a Carnegie R1 “Very High Research Activity” institution with more than 20 graduate programs recognized by US News, the 4th largest engineering college in Texas, and a campus community of more than 5,000 Indian students — one of the largest South Asian student populations at any Texas university.

UTA provides around $30 million in scholarships each academic year. Located in the heart of the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex between Dallas and Fort Worth, UTA gives students direct access to one of the most diverse and rapidly growing job markets in the United States. Here is everything you need to know.

What Is the University of Texas at Arlington?

The University of Texas at Arlington was established in 1895 as Arlington College — a private institution that became public in 1900 and joined the University of Texas System in 1965. Today it is one of the largest universities in Texas by enrollment, with a 420-acre campus featuring over 100 buildings in the city of Arlington — geographically positioned between Dallas (20 miles east) and Fort Worth (20 miles west), at the center of the DFW Metroplex.

UTA officially earned Tier 1 university designation, granting access to the state’s National Research University Fund, which recognizes academic and research excellence. This designation alongside the Carnegie R1 classification confirms UTA’s position as a genuine research university — not simply a large regional institution. The Department of Computer Science and Engineering at UTA is one of seven departments in the College of Engineering — the fourth-largest engineering college in Texas. Its internationally recognized faculty are engaged in breakthrough research across the leading areas of computer science and engineering.

UTA’s identity is shaped by three factors: its DFW Metroplex location (access to 23 Fortune 500 company headquarters), its large and diverse international student population (15% international, with 5,000+ Indian students), and its practical, career-focused engineering and business programs that feed directly into DFW’s tech, finance, aerospace, and healthcare employer base.

University of Texas at Arlington — Key Facts 2026

Programs at UTA

UTA offers 180+ programs across 9 schools and colleges. The most popular programs for international and Indian students are concentrated in engineering, computer science, and business — all STEM-designated and all qualifying for 36-month OPT.

College of Engineering — 4th Largest in Texas

UTA’s College of Engineering is the fourth-largest engineering college in Texas. The Department of Computer Science and Engineering serves the needs of the region, state, and nation through quality educational and innovative research programs. The department’s undergraduate programs are ABET-accredited.

• MS Computer Science — STEM; most popular international graduate program; ABET-accredited; 36-credit program; specializations in AI/ML, cybersecurity, data science, software engineering, distributed systems
• MS Software Engineering — STEM; software development lifecycle focus; strong industry placement in DFW tech
• MS Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) — hardware-software integration; ABET-accredited
• MS Electrical Engineering — STEM; power systems, electronics, communications
• MS Mechanical Engineering — STEM; aerospace, manufacturing, energy systems applications
• MS Civil Engineering — STEM; infrastructure focus; GRE required
• MS Industrial Engineering — STEM; operations research, supply chain, systems engineering
• MS Materials Science and Engineering — STEM; growing research program
• PhD programs — multiple engineering disciplines; funded research positions available

The engineering department at UTA has a total graduate enrollment of 2,607 students — with 89.1% being international students — one of the most internationally diverse engineering programs of any Texas public university.

College of Business (AACSB)

• MBA — AACSB-accredited; multiple concentrations; online and on-campus formats
• MS Business Analytics — STEM-designated; Python, R, SQL, Tableau, machine learning; strong DFW analytics placement
• MS Accounting — CPA pathway; strong regional employer base
• MS Finance — quantitative finance focus; DFW financial sector connections
• MS Information Systems — STEM-designated; enterprise systems and data management
• MS Supply Chain Management — STEM-designated; DFW logistics and supply chain corridor
• MS Management — leadership and organizational strategy focus

College of Nursing and Health Innovation

• BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) — one of the largest nursing programs in Texas
• MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) — multiple specializations including Nurse Practitioner
• PhD in Nursing — research-focused doctoral program
• Clinical placements with major DFW health systems — Texas Health Resources, Medical City Healthcare, Baylor Scott & White

Other Colleges and Programs

• School of Architecture, Planning & Public Affairs — Architecture (NAAB-accredited), Urban Planning, Public Administration
• College of Liberal Arts — Communication, English, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology
• College of Science — Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Data Science
• College of Education — Teacher certification, Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction
• College of Social Work — MSW program with community practice focus

Distinctive Programs Unique to UTA

Energy Engineering and Construction Management — among UTA’s most in-demand courses are Energy Engineering and Construction Management — reflecting DFW’s growing energy infrastructure and real estate construction market.

Movin’ Mavs Wheelchair Basketball — UTA’s wheelchair basketball program is one of the most decorated in collegiate sports — the Movin’ Mavs have won numerous championships — and reflects UTA’s broader commitment to accessibility and adaptive athletics.

Online Programs — UTA has 12,000+ online students. Popular online programs include MS Computer Science, MBA, MS Nursing, MS Public Administration — making UTA one of the most significant online education providers among Texas public universities.

UTA Tuition and Cost of Attendance

Estimated annual living expenses are approximately $17,995, covering housing, meals, transportation, and personal expenses. Arlington’s cost of living is meaningfully lower than Dallas proper or Austin — off-campus housing typically runs $700–$1,100/month for shared apartments near UTA.

Non-Resident Tuition Waiver — Key Mechanism

International students who receive a competitive merit-based scholarship may qualify to pay in-state tuition rates, even if they are non-residents of Texas or non-U.S. citizens — significantly reducing overall costs. Under Texas law, any non-resident student (domestic or international) who receives a competitive institutional scholarship of $1,000 or more qualifies for in-state tuition. At UTA, in-state graduate tuition runs approximately $9,000–$12,000/year — a saving of $13,000–$16,000/year versus the international rate. Contact UTA’s Financial Aid office to confirm which merit scholarships qualify for this waiver.

UTA Scholarships

The University of Texas at Arlington provides around $30 million in scholarships each academic year for students. Key scholarship programs:

Undergraduate Scholarships

• Presidential Scholarship — UTA’s most prestigious freshman award; covers tuition, fees, books, and on-campus housing; awarded to incoming freshmen with outstanding academic records
• Maverick Academic Scholarship — for incoming freshmen and transfer students demonstrating academic excellence; covers a portion of tuition and fees
• Transfer Excellence Scholarship — for transfer students with strong academic records; covers tuition and fees for up to two years
• UTA General Scholarships — wide range of awards based on financial need, academic excellence, or community involvement; apply through UTA’s scholarship portal

Graduate Scholarships and Funding

• Graduate Assistantships (TA/RA) — Graduate students have access to funding opportunities. Most graduate funding is awarded directly through academic departments and may include assistantships, fellowships, or limited scholarships. TA/RA positions typically include a tuition waiver and a monthly stipend of $1,200–$2,000+
• Fully Funded Doctoral Programs — UTA offers fully funded doctoral programs, covering tuition and providing financial support to help students focus on their studies and research
• College of Engineering Scholarships — the College of Engineering offers a variety of scholarships to engineering students, considering academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement
• Departmental Fellowships — contact individual departments (CS, EE, ME, Business Analytics) directly for department-specific funding opportunities

External Scholarships Relevant to UTA Students

• Texas Competitive Scholarship Waiver — $1,000+ institutional scholarship unlocks in-state tuition (saves $13,000–$16,000/year).
• Good Neighbor Scholarship — full non-resident tuition exemption for qualifying Western Hemisphere nationals at Texas public universities.
• TASFA — for international students with financial need, file annually.

UTA Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements

UTA does not officially publish its acceptance rate, but it is estimated to be around 80%. Other sources estimate it between 57–80% depending on program — making UTA one of the more accessible public research universities in Texas. The applicant must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 or higher to get into UTA.

International Graduate Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (minimum 3.0 GPA recommended for most programs)
• TOEFL iBT: 79–83 minimum (varies by program; CS requires 83)
• IELTS: 6.5 minimum
• Duolingo: 100–105
• GRE: 305 minimum (required for MS CS, MS Civil Engineering; some programs waive for strong GPA)
• GMAT required for MBA and some business programs
• Academic transcripts (all institutions attended)
• Statement of purpose
• 2–3 letters of recommendation
• Application fee: $75–$90

Key Application Deadlines (International Students)

UTA accepts spring and summer intakes — unlike UT Austin or Texas A&M, which primarily admit in fall only. This makes UTA one of the most flexible Texas public universities for international students who need to start mid-year.

Career Outcomes and DFW Job Market Access

UTA’s single greatest career advantage is its geographic location at the center of the DFW Metroplex — the #2 job market in the United States by multiple measures, with 23 Fortune 500 company headquarters.

Top DFW Employers Recruiting from UTA

• Technology — AT&T (Dallas HQ), Texas Instruments, Ericsson, Samsung, Nokia, Cisco, Lockheed Martin, L3Harris
• Finance — JPMorgan Chase, American Airlines (HQ Fort Worth), Bank of America, Charles Schwab
• Healthcare — Texas Health Resources, Medical City Healthcare, Baylor Scott & White, UT Southwestern Medical Center
• Energy — Atmos Energy, Oncor Electric Delivery, Pioneer Natural Resources (now ExxonMobil)
• Consulting and Services — Deloitte, KPMG, Accenture, PwC, EY — all with major DFW offices

UTA graduates work for leading sectors such as Engineering, Operations, and Education. The placement rate of 75–80% reflects both the quality of the programs and the strength of DFW’s hiring market — one of the most active in the country for engineering, CS, and business analytics graduates.

Campus Life and Indian Student Community

The University of Texas at Arlington has enrolled more than 5,000 Indian students — one of the largest Indian student populations at any Texas university. This creates a practical Indian community infrastructure on and around campus:

• Indian Student Association (ISA) at UTA — one of the most active cultural student organizations; Diwali celebrations, Holi events, cricket tournaments, cultural shows
• Telugu Association, Tamil Students Association, Gujarati Students Association — regional language community organizations
• Indian restaurants and grocery stores in Arlington, Grand Prairie, and Irving — all within 10–20 minutes of campus
• Hindu temples near UTA — Balaji Temple of Greater Dallas (Irving), DFW Hindu Temple (Irving), BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir (Irving) — all within 20–30 minutes
• DFW’s Indian-American community — the #3 largest Indian-American metro community in the United States, with dense concentrations in Irving, Plano, Frisco, and Richardson — all accessible from Arlington

With more than 300 student-led organizations, as well as cultural events, and access to the dynamic Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, students build leadership skills, lasting relationships, and a sense of belonging that extends far beyond campus.

UTA vs Other Texas Universities

• For a UT System university in Dallas with higher national ranking, stronger CS ranking, and the AES scholarship to in-state tuition, see UT Dallas in Richardson — UTA’s most direct competitor for international STEM students
• For the Texas flagship with #30 national ranking and top-10 CS program, see UT Austin — significantly more selective and more expensive
• For a DFW-area R1 university with easier admission and automatic Excellence Scholarship to in-state tuition, see UNT in Denton
• For the Texas A&M System flagship with #51 national ranking and Aggie Network, see Texas A&M in College Station
• For a complete scholarship comparison across Texas universities, see Texas Universities with Full Scholarships 2026.

Is UTA Right for You?

UTA is a strong fit if you:

• Are pursuing MS Computer Science, MS Software Engineering, or MS Business Analytics in the DFW market — UTA’s programs feed directly into AT&T, Ericsson, Samsung, and dozens of other DFW tech employers
• Want a large, diverse international campus community with 5,000+ Indian students and 300+ student organizations
• Need spring or summer intake flexibility — UTA accepts all three intakes while most Texas flagships are fall-only
• Are seeking online graduate programs — UTA’s 12,000+ online enrollment reflects a well-developed online infrastructure for working professionals
• Want DFW Metro access from a central Arlington location — equidistant between Dallas and Fort Worth, with I-30, I-20, and TX-360 all accessible from campus
• Are applying with a moderate academic profile (GPA 3.0–3.5, GRE 305–315) and need a strong R1 university that is more accessible than UTD, UH, or UT Austin

UTA may be less ideal if you want a highly selective university environment, need the strongest possible national brand recognition, or are targeting the very top scholarship waiver mechanisms (UTD’s AES brings tuition lower than UTA’s equivalents).

How To Apply to the University of Texas at Arlington

1. Apply online at uta.edu/admissions — application fee $75–$90.
2. Submit official transcripts from all institutions attended.
3. Submit TOEFL (83+), IELTS (6.5+), or Duolingo (100+) scores.
4. Submit GRE scores (305+) if required by your program.
5. Submit GMAT scores if applying to MBA or finance programs.
6. Submit a statement of purpose and 2–3 letters of recommendation.
7. Apply by March 15 for Fall 2026 (most programs).
8. Apply for scholarships through UTA’s scholarship portal after receiving your NetID.
9. Contact individual departments for TA/RA funding opportunities.
10. Receive I-20 from UTA’s Office of International Education once admitted.
11. Pay SEVIS fee ($350) and apply for F-1 visa — allow 3–4 months minimum.

Final Thoughts

The University of Texas at Arlington is one of the most practically positioned universities in Texas for international students targeting the DFW job market. It is not the most selective or highest-ranked Texas university — but its R1 research status, ABET-accredited engineering programs, AACSB-accredited business school, 5,000+ Indian student community, spring/summer intake flexibility, and geographic position at the center of the 23-Fortune-500-headquarters DFW Metroplex create a combination that is genuinely difficult to replicate.

For international engineering and CS students with moderate-to-strong academic profiles who want to work in DFW after graduation, UTA delivers solid outcomes at a realistic price point.

For current tuition, scholarship details, and application requirements, visit uta.edu directly.

Have questions about UTA or comparing it with other Texas options? Drop them in the comments below.