Friday, Feb 07, 2025 • Cristal Gonzalez : contact

The University of Texas at Arlington continues to attract students seeking a quality education and world-class research opportunities in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. UTA’s year-over-year overall enrollment increased for spring 2025, with significant gains in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation, College of Science and the School of Social Work, according to preliminary data.

The College of Nursing and Health Innovation (CONHI)—the largest college at UTA, with nearly 12,000 students—saw an 8% increase in enrollment, the highest among UTA’s nine colleges and schools. As the largest producer of baccalaureate-educated nurses in the state, CONHI continues to be a leader in training highly qualified nurses, making it essential to efforts aimed at alleviating the ongoing shortages in health care workers in Texas and across the nation.

UTA’s strong academic reputation in STEM programs and its rapidly expanding research enterprise contributed to the College of Science’s more than 5% enrollment growth over spring 2024. Additionally, the School of Social Work saw enrollment grow more than 4%. Graduates in all these fields are filling evolving workforce demands as the population continues to swell in North Texas and across the state.

“Our Maverick promise is to support students to remain enrolled, graduate in a timely fashion, and enter the workforce prepared to meet today’s challenges,” said Tamara L. Brown, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs. “Our campus works together to develop programs and platforms to ensure we are creating an environment where all students can succeed. Our efforts are having an impact as we work towards our 2030 retention and graduation goals.”

In January, the U.S. Department of Education recognized UTA’s commitment to student success and economic mobility, naming it a winner in its inaugural Postsecondary Success Recognition Program. UTA was one of just six institutions in the nation to receive the honor—and the lone doctoral institution—that recognizes universities that excel in enrolling underserved student populations, support successful student transfers and completions, and prepare graduates for careers that promote economic mobility.

“UTA’s robust enrollment growth in fields critical to our workforce reflects our unwavering commitment to making quality education accessible to every student while shaping the future of our local and national workforces,” said Luisa Havens Gerardo, vice president for enrollment management. “Our targeted initiatives—exemplified by programs like Blaze Forward—ensure that financial challenges never stand in the way of potential and that UTA continues its role as a leader in innovation, opportunity, and student success.”

Starting in the fall, more North Texas undergraduates will have the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree at UTA, regardless of financial circumstances. The University has expanded its Blaze Forward program, a need-based financial aid initiative that enables students facing economic challenges to pursue a bachelor’s degree without being burdened by tuition and mandatory fees. An increase in the family income threshold will allow eligible students with family incomes of $100,000 or less to attend tuition-free, further broadening access to higher education.

In addition, The UT System Board of Regents also approved UTA West, a new campus in west Fort Worth that will eventually serve more than 10,000 students, bringing the academic excellence of a Carnegie R1 research institution with proven student access and success efforts to meet the educational and workforce demands for the rapidly growing populations of west Fort Worth and Parker County.

About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)

Located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, The University of Texas at Arlington is a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through scholarship and creative work. With an enrollment of approximately 41,000 students, UT Arlington is the second-largest institution in the UT System. UTA’s combination of outstanding academics and innovative research contributes to its designation as a Carnegie R-1 “Very High Research Activity” institution, a significant milestone of excellence. The University is designated as a Hispanic Serving-Institution and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education and has earned the Seal of Excelencia for its commitment to accelerating Latino student success. The University ranks in the top five nationally for veterans and their families (Military Times, 2024), is No. 4 in Texas for advancing social mobility (U.S. News & World Report, 2025), and is No. 6 in the United States for its undergraduate ethnic diversity (U.S. News & World Report, 2025). UT Arlington’s approximately 270,000 alumni occupy leadership positions at many of the 21 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in North Texas and contribute to the University’s $28.8 billion annual economic impact on Texas.