UT System backs first building at UTA West
The University of Texas System Board of Regents on Thursday approved funding for the first building at UTA West, a major milestone for The University of Texas at Arlington’s new campus in far west Fort Worth that cleared the way for construction to begin.
The vote advances phase two of the project, following last November’s approval of funding for associated infrastructure improvements, including utilities, site preparation and parking to support the initial facility and future expansion.
“UTA West represents the kind of strategic investment that strengthens opportunity and economic growth in Texas,” said UT System Chancellor John M. Zerwas, MD. “I know how important this project is to the Board of Regents and to the future of this fast-growing region. This funding moves UT Arlington closer to expanding access to a leading research university and helping meet the workforce needs of North Texas.”
The 51-acre campus is located within the Walsh Ranch development on the western edge of Fort Worth near Aledo, close to the intersection of interstates 20 and 30. UTA West is projected to welcome its inaugural class in fall 2028.
“This investment marks a defining moment for our university and the region we proudly serve,” said UTA President Jennifer Cowley. “I am deeply grateful to our Board of Regents for their steadfast belief in what UTA West will mean for generations of students. Their meaningful support will help turn our big dream into a tangible reality.
“I also want to thank the many community leaders and partners who believed in our vision since day one. Great universities reach their highest purpose when they grow alongside the communities they serve. Together, we are bringing high-quality academic programs to provide the talent needed to support a bright future for our region.”
UTA West is being developed to grow alongside rapid population expansion in west Fort Worth and Parker County. From 2020 to 2024, Parker County’s population increased 19.4%, making it the third-fastest-growing county in Texas, while Fort Worth remains one of the fastest-growing major cities in the nation.
By fostering collaboration in high-demand fields, the campus will play a crucial role in supplying a highly skilled homegrown workforce to support the region’s continued growth. The first year alone, the campus is projected to generate over $200 million in economic impact.
"I want to thank The University of Texas System Board of Regents, the Chancellor and UT System leadership, along with the community and industry partners whose support has made UTA West possible,” said Wayne Atchley, vice president of regional campuses. "This first building represents more than a physical structure — it reflects our commitment to expanding access to high-quality education, strengthening the regional workforce and growing alongside the communities of West Fort Worth and Parker County."
The new campus builds on UTA’s longstanding partnership with Fort Worth. In 1986, the UTA Research Institute was established in east Fort Worth. Today, the facility conducts $16 million annually in research focused on advanced controls and sensors, airborne computing networks, automation and intelligent systems, bio-signal processing, biomedical technologies and predictive performance.
In 2007, the UTA Fort Worth Center opened in downtown Fort Worth to serve working professionals by connecting education with career advancement. In 2023, the UTA Institute of Urban Studies opened at the Fort Worth Center, expanding research and technical assistance to local governments and nonprofit organizations.
Earlier this year, UTA opened a UTA West storefront in Willow Park to serve as a hub for community engagement, admissions support and updates on the multiphase construction process.
As a Carnegie R1 institution, UTA ranks among the top 5% of research universities in the nation. The development of UTA West reflects the University’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality education while driving economic growth in North Texas.
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.