Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Arlington, Texas
81.3% Acceptance Rate
The University of Texas at Arlington — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
81.3%Acceptance Rate
3.43Avg GPA
1116Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$25,265Annual Cost
$63,199Grad Salary
39.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
81.3%
Avg GPA
3.43
Avg SAT
1116
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
990–1230
ACT Middle 50%
18–26
Avg Net Price
$15,235
Need-Based Aid
39.6% receive Pell
The University of Texas at Arlington is a major public research university known for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and regional service. Offering a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the university fosters a dynamic campus environment that encourages research, leadership, and professional development. Its focus on providing a high-value, well-rounded education makes it a premier choice for students seeking a top-tier degree that prepares them for success.
The University of Texas at Arlington Acceptance Rate
The University of Texas at Arlington (UT Arlington) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 81.3% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 81.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.43 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.23 – 3.42
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.98
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
The University of Texas at Arlington Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for The University of Texas at Arlington is December 1 for Priority applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 116 days left — Priority
Priority
December 1
Regular
August 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UT Arlington GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UT Arlington is 3.43. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.13–3.43 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.63–3.83.UT Arlington GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.43 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.23 – 3.42
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.03 – 3.22
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.02
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate: 79.90% per IPEDS 2024-25 (19,675 of 24,623 applicants admitted); $75 application fee; ApplyTexas and Common App both accepted; test-optional for admission (median SAT 1,120, median ACT 23, average GPA 3.47); no essay or recommendation letters required for standard admission. Individual review for students below guaranteed admission threshold now includes a personal statement about challenges/extenuating circumstances. Scholarship priority deadline March 1 (school code 003656); Early Action deadline February 14.
- Texas HB 588 top-10% rule guarantees admission; students ranked 11th-25th are Bound for Success priority candidates. College of Nursing and Health Innovation produces the most registered nurses in Texas and ranks among the top 5 in the nation nationally. 15 National Academy of Inventors fellows - highest count of any Texas institution and 6th highest in the US.
- UTA is an R1 Carnegie research university and one of four Texas Tier One institutions. Ranked #1 in DFW for least graduate debt (US News 2025). $40M+ in scholarships and $500M+ in total financial aid annually. Honors College admission requires SAT 1200+ or top-10% class rank plus a separate application.
- New UTA West campus (51 acres, Walsh Ranch/Fort Worth, Parker County) expected to open fall 2028 and eventually enroll 10,000+ students - a significant geographic expansion that will change program access for west Fort Worth and Tarrant County students. Current main campus: Arlington (420 acres); 15 Division I sports in the Western Athletic Conference (Mavericks). US Dept. of Education 2025 recognition for student success and economic mobility.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at UT Arlington
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on The University of Texas at Arlington's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
The University of Texas at Arlington (UT Arlington) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if UT Arlington is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into UT Arlington Without SAT or ACT?
UT Arlington considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
The University of Texas at Arlington Average SAT Score: 1116
The average SAT score of admitted students at The University of Texas at Arlington is 1116 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1116 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1230 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? The University of Texas at Arlington allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 990, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at UT Arlington. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 550 | 490 | 610 |
| SAT Reading | 560 | 500 | 620 |
| SAT Composite | 1116 | 990 | 1230 |
Below 990, you're behind most admitted students; at 1230 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into The University of Texas at Arlington (UT Arlington) with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT puts you ahead of most of UT Arlington's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
The University of Texas at Arlington (UT Arlington) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at UT Arlington is 22.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT English | 22 | 17 | 26 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 18 | 26 |
Can I get into The University of Texas at Arlington with a 26 ACT?
A 26 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of UT Arlington's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at UT Arlington.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UT Arlington
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into UT Arlington isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Know Your Admissions Track Before You Apply - Guaranteed, Holistic, or Individual Review
UTA uses a tiered admissions system driven by Texas law and your own academic record. Students who graduated in the top 10% of their Texas high school class qualify for guaranteed (assured) admission under HB 588. Students ranked in the 11th through 25th percentile of their class are eligible for the Bound for Success program and are given priority consideration. Students who rank below these thresholds but are still academically eligible enter an individual review process (new as of Fall 2025) that evaluates your full high school academic record - GPA, rigor, advanced credits (dual enrollment, AP, IB, honors), and test scores if submitted. Critically, individual review also includes a personal statement, requested within the application, that asks you to articulate challenges or extenuating circumstances from your high school career and what you did to overcome them. This is not a freeform college essay - it is a specific, targeted prompt. Students who fall into the individual review track should treat this personal statement as the most important differentiating document in their application, not an afterthought.
Submit Test Scores Even Though They Are Optional - They Directly Affect Scholarship Access
UTA is test-optional for admission: applicants who choose not to submit SAT or ACT scores will have their applications evaluated on academic records alone. However, test scores remain important for scholarship eligibility. UTA awards more than $40 million in scholarships annually (and more than $500 million in total financial aid), and several merit-based awards factor in standardized test performance. The scholarship priority deadline is March 1, and UTA's school code for FAFSA/TASFA is 003656. Students with scores at or above the median (SAT 1,120; ACT 23) should strongly consider submitting them. Honors College admission - which provides a small, liberal arts college experience within UTA's large research university environment - requires either a combined SAT of 1200+ or top 10% class rank as a minimum for eligibility. Students interested in the Honors College must apply separately and by an earlier timeline than standard admissions.
UTA's Nursing Program Produces More Registered Nurses Than Any Other Texas University
UTA's College of Nursing and Health Innovation produces the most registered nurses in Texas and is among the top five largest producers of registered nurses in the entire United States. It also holds 15 professors as fellows in the National Academy of Inventors, the highest number of any institution in Texas and sixth highest in the nation. For students applying with nursing, health, engineering, or architecture interests, UTA is not a fallback choice - it is a nationally recognized program leader in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, the 4th-largest metro in the US. UTA is also an R1 (very high research activity) Carnegie research university and one of only four Texas institutions to achieve Texas Tier One designation, placing it alongside UT Austin, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech in terms of research university status. The $100+ million in annual research expenditure and 180+ programs create undergraduate research opportunities well beyond what the 80% acceptance rate suggests.
Watch the March 1 Scholarship Deadline and the New UTA West Campus Development
Merit-based scholarship consideration requires submitting your application and supporting documents by March 1 - after that date, scholarship pools narrow significantly. Early action (non-binding) has a February 14 deadline. FAFSA and TASFA (for Texas students who don't qualify for FAFSA) should be submitted using UTA's school code 003656, with March 1 as the priority date. On the facility side, UTA announced in August 2024 a planned expansion to a 51-acre property in west Fort Worth (Walsh Ranch development, Parker County) - the UTA West campus is expected to welcome students in fall 2028 and eventually serve more than 10,000 students. Students considering UTA who live in west Fort Worth or Tarrant County's western communities should confirm whether their intended program will be offered at the new campus or remain at the Arlington main campus, as the campus geography will expand significantly in the next three to four years.
Expert Insight:
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA, UNITID 228769) is part of the University of Texas System but is not affiliated with The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin, UNITID 228778). These are completely separate institutions. UTA's school code for test score submission is 6013 (SAT) and 4236 (ACT). UTA was historically a Texas A&M System institution until joining the UT System in 1965. Acceptance rate figures range from 57% (GyanDhan, likely outdated) to 80-83% across sources, with IPEDS 2024-25 confirming 79.90% (19,675 of 24,623 applicants admitted) as the authoritative current figure. GyanDhan's 57% figure appears to reflect a different year's data or a data error. Use the IPEDS 2024-25 figure for planning. Confirm UNITID 228769 and uta.edu before referencing any admissions or scholarship data.
UT Arlington Profile
Full Name
The University of Texas at Arlington (UT Arlington)
City
Arlington
State
Texas
ZIP Code
76013
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a UT Arlington Degree Worth It?
Whether UT Arlington is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $66,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.28%.
How much does a degree from UT Arlington Cost?
The sticker price is $25,265/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $15,235.
39.6% of students receive a Pell Grant and 32.8% take federal loans at UT Arlington. File your FAFSA early and list UT Arlington as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a UT Arlington Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $63,199. That's about 56% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than The University of Texas at Arlington. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as The University of Texas at Arlington. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than The University of Texas at Arlington. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at UT Arlington
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UT Arlington Admissions
Median graduate earnings at The University of Texas at Arlington run about $63,199 a year.
At about $25,265 a year, The University of Texas at Arlington is on the more affordable end.
About 39.6% receive a Pell Grant at The University of Texas at Arlington. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 81.3%, The University of Texas at Arlington's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at The University of Texas at Arlington average a 3.43 GPA.
The University of Texas at Arlington doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.13 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.03, The University of Texas at Arlington becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at The University of Texas at Arlington — aim above 1116, ideally within the 990–1230 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for The University of Texas at Arlington is December 1 for Priority applicants.
The application fee is 75. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.