Westward Expansion

At The University of Texas at Arlington, dreams don’t just remain ideas—they become plans, and those plans shape reality. This August, UTA announced it was one step closer to seeing a major dream realized—one that has been years in the making—with UTA West, a new campus destined to serve west Fort Worth and Parker County with all the power and promise of a leading research institution.

UTA West will occupy over 50 acres of scenic landscape at the western gateway to Fort Worth, nestled at the crossroads of I‑30 and I‑20, just 14 miles from downtown. The land itself is a Texas treasure, with rolling hills, live oaks, and a lake surrounded by wildflowers. Picture a waterfront park framed by bluebonnets in full bloom—a natural space that reflects the vitality and future of this new campus.

As the growth of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex accelerates westward, UTA West is poised to meet the increased demands of its population by bringing the impact of Texas’ most innovative university and the nation’s premier public university system to a new horizon.

“The western part of the Metroplex has an ever-growing population, a plethora of student talent, and a wide breadth of opportunity for explosive economic advancement,” says UTA President Jennifer Cowley. “UTA has long been a top supplier of talent to companies across Fort Worth, and this expansion will allow UTA to broaden its impact across our region.”

UTA West will be developed as part of a multiyear plan to serve more than 10,000 students and is expected to begin welcoming Mavericks as early as fall 2028. To meet the needs of students and the region, curriculum at UTA West will prioritize fields that align with the growth of the area. And as the region grows, UTA will grow alongside it, bringing key academic programs that support its economic and educational needs. The project received a major boost in late August when the University entered into an interlocal agreement with the city of Fort Worth to help fund critical infrastructure development.

“Years from now when we look back at major milestones in the life of the Fort Worth region and UT Arlington’s history, this new campus will rise to be among the top,” says J.B. Milliken, chancellor of the UT System. “As cities prepare for rapid growth, the presence of great universities contributes immensely to their vibrant transformation, and we applaud the very special relationship between UT Arlington and Fort Worth as they plan for the future in such an insightful and strategic way.”