For the second year in a row, The Wall Street Journal has recognized The University of Texas at Arlington as the No. 1 university in North Texas, placing it among the top five universities in Texas.
UT Arlington also ranked No. 3 among public institutions in Texas, behind only UT Austin and Texas A&M, and No. 189 out of 584 universities nationwide, putting it in the top third of all institutions in the Journal's 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. list.
UTA earned additional recognition as the No. 1 university in North Texas—and fourth in the state—in the "Best Salaries" category, and No. 1 in North Texas—and fifth in the state—in "Social Mobility." These distinctions underscore UTA's commitment to advancing student success and helping graduates launch high-earning careers that improve lives.
"More students want to be Mavericks than ever before," UTA President Jennifer Cowley said. "That's because they know what we know: A UTA education leads to better jobs, better salaries, and lower debt for our graduates."
Related: UTA sets record freshman class for fall 2025
Further cementing its commitment to creating meaningful outcomes for its more than 42,700 students, UTA is one of only 21 universities to receive the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education's new designation honoring institutions that expand access to higher education and help graduates earn competitive wages.
Graduates of UTA have the highest first-year salary of all nine UT System academic institutions. According to Equifax data, 44% of UTA's first-generation bachelor's graduates purchased a home within five years of graduating, and their wages five years after graduation are 89% of their parents' estimated total household income—strong indicators of financial success, personal responsibility and long-term stability.
Reinforcing UTA's reputation as one of the top Carnegie R1 institutions in Texas and the nation, UTA was also included in the 2026 Forbes America's Top Colleges List and ranked as the best university "for your tuition and tax dollars" in Dallas-Fort Worth by the Washington Monthly.
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. 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.
