A national leader in educating diverse students

UTA first in Texas for bachelor’s and master’s degrees earned by African American students

Monday, Jan 06, 2020 • Dana Jennings :

UTA Fall 2019 Commencement

The University of Texas at Arlington once again is among the nation’s leading four-year institutions in educating diverse, workforce-ready students, according to an annual report from Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine.

  • The University ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 17 nationally for master’s degrees awarded to all minority students, representing an 82% increase in degrees conferred since the 2012-13 academic year. UTA was ranked No. 22 nationally the previous year.
  • UTA also ranked first in Texas in the number of degrees earned by African American students at the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels.
  • Nationally, UTA is No. 11 for bachelor’s degrees awarded to African American students and No. 14 for master’s degrees. UTA was ranked No. 11 and No. 23, respectively, last year. Since the 2012-13 academic year, the number of bachelor’s degrees earned by African American students at UTA has increased 32.9%, with 61.1% growth for master’s degrees.
  • Nationally, UTA ranked No. 17 for bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanic students and No. 11 for master’s degrees. UTA was ranked No. 19 and No. 18, respectively, last year. Since the 2012-13 academic year, the number of bachelor’s and master’s degrees earned by Hispanic students at UTA has increased 86.8% and 107.5%, respectively.

“The University of Texas at Arlington is committed to increased access, while ensuring the highest levels of excellence, and the recent results released by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education underline the tremendous work being done by our faculty and staff in ensuring student success through focused efforts, innovative programs and continuous encouragement of all students in our community,” UTA President Vistasp Karbhari said. “The increase in the number of degrees awarded to African American, Hispanic and minority students, as well as being ranked the top institution in the state in a number of key areas, is a testament to the dedication of our faculty and the efforts being made by our purpose-driven students. I’m extremely proud of, and grateful to, our faculty and staff who make it possible for UTA to be a catalyst for socio-economic mobility meeting the needs of the communities we serve and of our great state.”

“UTA continues to welcome African American students and support their educational journey to success,” said Jason Shelton, director of the Center for African American Studies at UTA. “To be No. 1 in the state of Texas for our undergraduates and graduates is a major sign of our commitment to empowering people from all backgrounds with tools necessary for making it in 21st-century America.”

For nearly three decades, Diverse: Issues in Higher Education has identified the top 100 institutions awarding degrees to minority students, using the most recent data available from the U.S. Department of Education.

UTA is no stranger to Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine’s rankings. In 2018, UTA was tops in Texas for bachelor’s and master’s degrees earned by African American students, and master’s degrees awarded to all students of color. Nationally, the University was among the top 25 four-year institutions for bachelor’s and master’s awarded to African American students, Hispanic students and all minority students.

UTA is among the most diverse and accomplished universities in the nation. Other honors include the following:

  • UTA is one of only 14 universities in the nation to achieve designations of both Hispanic-Serving Institution and Carnegie R-1: “Very High Research” in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
  • U.S. News & World Report ranked UTA sixth among national universities for undergraduate ethnic diversity in 2020.
  • Hispanic Outlook on Education magazine ranked UTA among its top 100 universities nationwide for Hispanic students. It was No. 24 in total graduate degrees and No. 26 in total enrollment.
  • Hispanic Network Magazine ranked UTA among the nation's Best of the Best Schools for 2018.
  • Winds of Change magazine named UTA to its 2018-19 list of top 200 schools for Native American students pursuing STEM degrees, the fourth consecutive year it has been recognized.