A Parent’s Complete Guide to the University of Texas at Arlington (UT Arlington) (2026-2027)
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Jump to
- What is the one thing every University of Texas at Arlington parent needs to know before move-in?
- Quick Facts for University of Texas at Arlington Families
- A Note on Mavericks Identity and Financial Aid
- Getting to Arlington
- What do parents need to know about University of Texas at Arlington move-in day 2026?
- The Residence Halls: Where Your Student Might Live
- How much does University of Texas at Arlington cost? Tuition, financial aid, and scholarships for 2026-27
- Arlington and the DFW Metroplex: What Parents Need to Know
- When is University of Texas at Arlington Family Weekend 2026 and how do parents plan for it?
- How can parents support their University of Texas at Arlington student’s mental health?
- Who do University of Texas at Arlington parents contact? Essential numbers and websites for families
- UT Arlington’s Academic Strengths
- Getting Your Student’s Stuff Home Between Semesters
- You Are a UT Arlington Mavericks Family Now
- UT Arlington academic calendar 2026-2027: dates families need
- What is University of Texas at Arlington’s graduation rate?
- What to Pack for University of Texas at Arlington
What is the one thing every University of Texas at Arlington parent needs to know before move-in?
UT Arlington move-in is The main Fall Move-In Event is Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
Fall 2026 classes begin Monday, August 17, 2026.
Check-in runs 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on August 12, with volunteers until 3 p.m. Students can also check in Thursday through Sunday. Classes begin Monday, August 17.
Verified against the official housing and academic calendar pages in July 2026. Move-in times are usually assigned individually, so confirm your student’s slot before booking travel.
The University of Texas at Arlington was established in 1895 as Arlington College, grew through several iterations as an agricultural school and a branch of Texas A&M, and became a full member of the University of Texas System in 1965.
In the 61 years since joining the UT System, UTA has grown into a comprehensive doctoral-granting university of approximately 40,000 students, one of the largest universities in Texas and in the UT System, offering programs from engineering and architecture through nursing, business, and the fine arts on a campus in Arlington, the midpoint between Dallas and Fort Worth in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area.
The DFW Metroplex location is the defining geographic advantage of the UTA setting: Arlington sits at the geographic center of the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States, equidistant between downtown Dallas (25 miles east) and downtown Fort Worth (15 miles west), adjacent to the Entertainment District that includes Globe Life Field (Texas Rangers MLB), AT&T Stadium (Dallas Cowboys NFL), and the Texas Live and Globe Life Field development corridors that make Arlington one of the most entertainment-dense suburban cities in the American South. UTA students have direct access to the employment markets of both Dallas and Fort Worth, the Dallas-Fort Worth airport (one of the world’s busiest and most nationally connected airports), and the full range of cultural and professional resources of a major American metropolitan area.
The urban research university character of UTA distinguishes it from the residential campus universities with which it competes for students: UTA has a significant commuter student population reflecting its DFW suburban setting, and the campus experience combines a residential core (with approximately 5,000 on-campus residents) with a larger commuter and working-adult population. For students who are looking for the full residential university experience, UTA has invested significantly in residential life infrastructure, athletics, and campus programming; for students who are commuting from the DFW Metroplex, UTA provides an accessible and high-quality public university education within the professional ecosystem of the region.
Quick Facts for University of Texas at Arlington Families
| Family Weekend | UT Arlington Family Weekend 2026 is October 16 and 17, 2026. |
| Location | Arlington, TX 76019 |
| Enrollment | ~40,000 students |
| Type | Public Research University (R1), Western Athletic Conference (WAC) |
| In-State Tuition (2026-27) | ~$9,500/year (verify at uta.edu) |
| Out-of-State Tuition (2026-27) | ~$22,000/year (verify at uta.edu) |
| Room and Board | ~$11,000-$13,000/year (verify at uta.edu) |
| Total Cost (in-state) | ~$23,500-$25,500/year (verify at uta.edu) |
| Total Cost (out-of-state) | ~$36,000-$38,000/year (verify at uta.edu) |
| Graduation Rate | ~48% (6-year) |
| Median Earnings (10 years post-grad) | ~$47,000 (verify at uta.edu) |
| Nearest Airport | DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth International, 20 minutes) |
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A Note on Mavericks Identity and Financial Aid
UT Arlington’s athletic teams are the Mavericks, competing in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) at the Division I level. The colors are blue and orange. The Mavericks do not have a football program, which distinguishes UTA from many Texas public universities and allows the university to direct resources to other athletic and academic programs.
The basketball program at College Park Center (a 7,000-seat arena in the entertainment district adjacent to campus) is the primary varsity athletics identity, and the UTA volleyball, baseball, and softball programs compete in the WAC.
Financial aid at UTA is need-based and merit-based through federal, Texas state, and institutional programs. Texas residents should verify eligibility for the TEXAS Grant and other state financial aid programs. Contact uta.edu/financial-aid for current scholarship and aid programs.
Getting to Arlington
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is approximately 20 minutes from the UTA campus via TX-360 and I-30, served by American as a primary hub and by all major domestic and international carriers.
DFW is the fourth-busiest airport in the world and one of the most nationally connected airports in the United States, providing comprehensive access for UTA families from virtually any market in the country.
Dallas Love Field (DAL) is approximately 30 minutes from campus, served primarily by Southwest. For families driving, I-30 connects Arlington to Dallas (25 miles east) and I-30/I-20 connect to Fort Worth (15 miles west). TX-360 connects north to DFW Airport and south to the Grand Prairie and Mansfield corridors.
What do parents need to know about University of Texas at Arlington move-in day 2026?
UTA’s fall move-in runs in mid-to-late August. Check uta.edu/housing for your student’s building and move-in window.
Arlington in mid-August is hot in the North Texas way: temperatures in the mid 90s to low 100s with the intense summer heat of the Dallas-Fort Worth basin, afternoon thunderstorms possible, and the campus in the full Texas late-summer heat.
UTA runs organized move-in with residential life staff and building-specific unloading areas.
Practical notes:
- Ship boxes ahead. UTA holds packages.
- After unloading, the Entertainment District adjacent to UTA, with Texas Live, the Globe Life Field development, and the restaurant options around AT&T Stadium, provides first-night dining options. The Arlington restaurant scene on Division Street and in the Entertainment District is the most accessible first-night option for UTA families.
The Residence Halls: Where Your Student Might Live
UTA’s residential system provides on-campus housing for approximately 5,000 students.
The Lipscomb Hall, Vandergriff Hall, and the other residential communities on the central campus provide suite-style and apartment-style configurations for undergraduate students.
The University Village apartment complex provides more independent living configurations for upperclass and graduate students.
The UTA dining program operates through the Maverick Activities Center dining hall and other campus dining locations, with meal plan options for on-campus residents.
How much does University of Texas at Arlington cost? Tuition, financial aid, and scholarships for 2026-27
Texas residents should verify TEXAS Grant and other state aid eligibility. Contact uta.edu/financial-aid for current need-based and merit-based aid programs.
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| In-State Tuition and Fees | ~$9,500 (verify at uta.edu) |
| Out-of-State Tuition and Fees | ~$22,000 (verify at uta.edu) |
| Room and Board | ~$11,000-$13,000 (verify at uta.edu) |
| Books and Supplies | ~$1,200 (verify at uta.edu) |
| Personal and Transportation | ~$3,000 (verify at uta.edu) |
| Estimated Total In-State (before aid) | ~$24,700-$26,700 (verify at uta.edu) |
| Estimated Total Out-of-State (before aid) | ~$37,200-$39,200 (verify at uta.edu) |
Texas residents should verify TEXAS Grant and other state aid eligibility. Contact uta.edu/financial-aid for current need-based and merit-based aid programs.
If there is a gap between aid and costs, SoFi is consistently competitive on private loan rates. Always work with UTA’s financial aid office first.
FAFSA guide for UTA families Full college cost planning guide
Arlington and the DFW Metroplex: What Parents Need to Know
The UTA parent visit provides access to the full Dallas-Fort Worth entertainment and cultural landscape, with Arlington’s own Entertainment District as the immediately adjacent destination.
Globe Life Field (Stadium Drive, Arlington, adjacent to the UTA campus) is the ballpark of the Texas Rangers MLB franchise, opened in 2020 with a retractable roof. Rangers games are an accessible family activity for UTA visit weekends throughout the baseball season.
AT&T Stadium (AT&T Way, Arlington, adjacent to the UTA campus) is the home of the Dallas Cowboys NFL franchise, one of the most architecturally dramatic sports venues in the United States. Stadium tours are available on non-game days for families visiting UTA.
The Fort Worth Cultural District (approximately 15 miles west via I-30) is one of the most significant museum corridors in Texas: the Kimbell Art Museum (Louis Kahn building, one of the great museum buildings in the world, exceptional permanent collection including Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Asian masterworks), the Amon Carter Museum of American Art (Tadao Ando addition, comprehensive American art collection), the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (Tadao Ando building, major collection of post-1945 international art), and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History are all within walking distance of each other on University Drive.
Downtown Fort Worth (15 miles west) provides the most walkable major urban entertainment district accessible from the UTA campus, with the Sundance Square development, the Bass Performance Hall (one of the finest concert venues in Texas), and the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District (the working cattle stockyards and Western heritage landscape).
Dallas (25 miles east) provides the full range of a major Texas city: the Dallas Arts District (one of the largest contiguous urban arts districts in the United States, anchored by the AT&T Performing Arts Center and the Dallas Museum of Art), Deep Ellum (music and restaurant district), the Bishop Arts District (walkable South Dallas neighborhood), and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.
For parent visit dining: Fort Worth’s Reata Restaurant (Sundance Square, Texas-inspired cuisine in a Fort Worth institution), Joe T. Garcia’s (North Houston Street Fort Worth, a Mexican restaurant that has been serving the same recipes since 1935), and the Dallas Bishop Arts District for accessible family dining with DFW cultural character.
When is University of Texas at Arlington Family Weekend 2026 and how do parents plan for it?
UT Arlington Family Weekend 2026 is October 16 and 17, 2026.
UTA calls it Friends and Family Weekend. It includes campus tours, meals, a UTA women’s volleyball game, and Planetarium admission.
Confirm the schedule and registration on the official family weekend page. Hotels near campus sell out early, so book as soon as dates are confirmed.
UT Arlington refunds tuition on a declining schedule after the semester starts, so timing a withdrawal matters.
Withdrawal must be filed officially through the student’s MyMav account before the relevant cutoff; UTA is explicit that non-attendance alone does not withdraw a student or reduce financial obligation, so a student who simply stops attending without filing still owes their full pro-rata share.
Refund schedule: UT Arlington follows the Texas state statutory schedule for a standard 16-week session, in roughly weekly increments after the first class day: 100% refund if withdrawn before the first class day, then declining through 80%, 70%, 50%, and 25% across the following weeks, and 0% from about week 5 on. Shorter sessions compress this same declining structure onto their own first-class dates.. Confirmed via the official UT Arlington refund policy page. Policies and dates change every term, so verify directly before making a decision.
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Most colleges do not refund 100% of tuition once the semester starts.
GradGuard Tuition Insurance can reimburse tuition, housing, and fees if a covered illness, injury, mental health condition, or other covered reason forces a withdrawal during the term. Plans must be purchased before the semester begins.
Freshmen may bring a car to University of Texas at Arlington with a paid residential permit.
No ban or lottery found. UTA prices permits by tier and location rather than by class year, ranging from $153 for a remote Park and Ride option up to $1,304 for a preferred garage.
Freshman permit cost: $306/year for the standard Resident B permit tier (2026-27 rate card). Confirmed via the official University of Texas at Arlington parking page. Policies can change year to year, so verify before move-in.
UTA’s Homecoming and the WAC athletics schedule provide the primary athletics events for families. The Mavericks basketball program at College Park Center provides the primary home athletics experience for families. Check uta.edu/athletics for current Family Weekend and home game schedules.
Hotel strategy: Arlington has extensive hotel inventory reflecting its position as a major entertainment and convention destination. The Entertainment District hotel corridor near Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium, as well as the I-20 and I-30 interchange corridors, provide practical options for UTA family visits. Book Homecoming and Mavericks basketball weekends in advance, but the large Arlington hotel inventory means availability is generally good except during major events.
How can parents support their University of Texas at Arlington student’s mental health?
UTA’s Counseling and Psychological Services provides individual therapy, group therapy, crisis support, and psychiatric referrals.
The urban research university environment, with its significant commuter population and diverse student body, creates mental health needs across a wide range of student experiences: first-generation students making the transition to university, working adults managing family and career responsibilities alongside academic demands, and traditional-age residential students are all part of the UTA counseling center’s service population.
The DFW proximity creates social opportunities and employment opportunities that can compete with academic focus, and the counseling center has resources for students managing the work-life-school balance challenges of an urban university setting.
UTA mental health and health resources:
- Counseling and Psychological Services: contact via uta.edu/counseling
- Student Health Services: contact via uta.edu/health
- Crisis line: 988 (call or text, 24/7)
- Emergency: 911
Who do University of Texas at Arlington parents contact? Essential numbers and websites for families
Verify all phone numbers and URLs at uta.edu before using, as contact information is subject to change.
- Student Affairs / Parent Resources: contact via uta.edu/student-affairs
- Admission: contact via uta.edu/admissions
- Financial Aid: contact via uta.edu/financial-aid
- Housing: contact via uta.edu/housing
- Counseling and Psychological Services: contact via uta.edu/counseling
- Student Health Services: contact via uta.edu/health
- University Police (non-emergency): contact via uta.edu/police
- Registrar: contact via uta.edu/registrar
- Emergency: 911
UT Arlington’s Academic Strengths
The College of Engineering is UTA’s most nationally recognized professional school, with programs in aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, civil engineering, computer science and engineering, electrical engineering, industrial and manufacturing systems engineering, and mechanical engineering.
The R1 research designation reflects the depth of federally funded research in UTA’s engineering programs, and the proximity to the DFW aerospace, defense, and technology employment corridor (including Bell Textron, Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, and the dozens of defense and aerospace contractors in the DFW area) creates internship and employment connections directly relevant to UTA engineering graduates.
The College of Nursing and Health Innovation provides nursing programs that connect to the DFW healthcare market, one of the largest and most diverse healthcare employment landscapes in Texas. The Texas Health Resources, Baylor Scott and White Health, HCA Healthcare, and the UT Southwestern Medical Center systems all provide clinical training and employment connections for UTA nursing graduates.
The College of Business is AACSB-accredited and provides undergraduate and MBA programs in accounting, finance, marketing, management, supply chain, and information systems that benefit from UTA’s position in the center of the DFW commercial economy. The DFW metropolitan area’s concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters (ExxonMobil, AT&T, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Texas Instruments, and dozens of others) provides internship and career connections that are unique to the DFW university setting.
The College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs provides programs in architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, and public administration that address the planning and design needs of one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States.
Getting Your Student’s Stuff Home Between Semesters
DFW airport (20 minutes from campus) provides comprehensive national and international connectivity, making end-of-semester travel accessible from virtually any US market. Dallas Love Field (30 minutes) provides Southwest connections for families in Southwest hub markets. The North Texas climate means December travel is generally weather-manageable, with occasional winter weather events.
Storage Scholars specializes in student storage with residence hall pickup and delivery.
Full printable UTA dorm packing list
You Are a UT Arlington Mavericks Family Now
Globe Life Field adjacent to campus where the Texas Rangers are playing under a retractable roof in a ballpark that opened in 2020 and AT&T Stadium where the Cowboys play in one of the most architecturally extraordinary sports venues in the country.
The Kimbell Art Museum 15 miles west in Fort Worth where the Louis Kahn building is one of the great museum spaces in the world and Michelangelo and Caravaggio are on the walls. Dallas 25 miles east where the Fortune 500 headquarters are and the internships are and the career paths are for 40,000 students who are in the center of the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States.
UT Arlington has been in Arlington since 1895, in the geographic center of the DFW Metroplex, and in the years since becoming a UT System institution in 1965 it has grown into one of the largest universities in Texas, a R1 research university with engineering programs that feed the defense and aerospace economy of one of the most technically concentrated metropolitan areas in the American South. The Mavericks are in Arlington. DFW is 20 minutes away. The Metroplex is the campus.
Go Mavs.
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Last updated: May 2026. Tuition, dates, and policies subject to change. Verify all time-sensitive information at uta.edu and uta.edu/housing.
UT Arlington academic calendar 2026-2027: dates families need
These are the dates worth putting in your own calendar now, while flights and hotel rooms are still reasonable. Every date below was verified against UT Arlington official sources in July 2026.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Fall classes begin | Monday, August 17, 2026 |
| Fall Move-In Event | Wednesday, August 12, 2026 |
| Labor Day | Monday, September 7, 2026 |
| Friends and Family Weekend | October 16 and 17, 2026 |
| Thanksgiving | November 25 to 27, 2026 |
| Last day of classes | Tuesday, December 1, 2026 |
| Fall commencement | Wednesday, December 2, 2026 |
| Final exams | December 3 to 9, 2026 |
| Spring classes begin | Monday, January 11, 2027 |
| MLK Day | Monday, January 18, 2027 |
| Spring break | March 8 to 12, 2027 |
| Last day of classes | Tuesday, April 27, 2027 |
| Final exams | April 29 to May 5, 2027 |
| Spring commencement | May 7, 2027, tentative |
UTA had not published its 2026-27 residence hall winter break close and reopen dates as of July 2026.
One quirk worth noting: UTA holds its fall commencement December 2, which is a study day before most final exams, so graduation comes before finals rather than after. Confirm the winter closure window with housing before booking travel.
Confirm current closure dates on the official housing calendar.
Universities do adjust these dates. Reconfirm on the official academic calendar before booking anything nonrefundable.
Where to stay near the University of Texas at Arlington
Hotels near campus fill up fast on move-in and Family Weekend. This live map shows places to stay near the University of Texas at Arlington with the Family Weekend dates already set. Drag the map or change the dates to fit your trip.
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What is University of Texas at Arlington’s graduation rate?
University of Texas at Arlington graduates 33.6% of students in four years; another 20.4 points finish within six. About 72.9% of first-year students return for sophomore year. Each bar is compared to the national average, marked by the vertical line.
15.4 pts below national
10 pts below national
8.1 pts below national
Here is how to read these numbers: the four-year and six-year rates show how many students finish on time and eventually, and retention shows how many return after the first year. Wherever your student lands, the habits that keep them on track matter most: a full, well-sequenced course load, an advisor meeting every term, and using campus support early. See why most students don’t graduate in four years and how to choose the right classes in the right order.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, most recent available data. National averages: NCES. Figures are for first-time, full-time bachelor’s-seeking students.
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What to Pack for University of Texas at Arlington
Every dorm is different, but these are the items parents of University of Texas at Arlington students buy most. Ship directly to campus and skip the trunk-stuffing stress.
Twin XL Bedding Set
Sheets, comforter, and pillowcases — buy before you arrive so the bed is ready day one.
Shower Caddy & Flip Flops
Shared bathrooms require these. Get a hanging caddy and waterproof sandals before move-in.
Surge Protector Power Strip
Most dorms allow 6-outlet surge protectors with USB ports. Check your school’s policy first.
Want the full list? See our complete college packing list →
Shipping to campus? Students get 6 months of Amazon Prime for Young Adults free, then half price on the student’s own account. Here is how it works.
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