A rendering of the future UTA West Campus in far west Fort Worth
FortWorth
The University of Texas System Board of Regents on Thursday, Feb. 19, approved funding for the first building of the UT Arlington campus in west Fort Worth during its quarterly meeting.
The vote clears the way for construction to begin on UTA West, which will be off Interstate 30. The vote also advances the UTA West project to phase two after the board approved initial funding in November for site preparation and parking to support future expansion.
A birds eye view rendering of the future UTA West Campus in far west Fort Worth. FortWorth
“UTA West represents the kind of strategic investment that strengthens opportunity and economic growth in Texas,” said UT System Chancellor John M. Zerwas. “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 campus is now approved as a 51-acre space within the Walsh development on the edge of Fort Worth near Aledo. UTA West will begin welcoming students starting in fall 2028, according to the university.
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UTA West comes at a time when population in west Fort Worth and Parker County is rapidly growing. From 2020-24, Parker County’s population increased by almost 20% which makes it the one of the top five fastest-growing counties in Texas. Fort Worth is also one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. Fort Worth will also welcome Texas A&M Fort Worth in downtown Fort Worth later this year, adding another higher education institution to the city.
“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.”
The UT System is estimating that UTA West will generate more than $200 million in economic impact during its first year after opening. University leaders also hope UTA West will help supply Fort Worth and Arlington with high-skilled homegrown students who can enter the workforce.
A rendering of the approved building at UTA West in west Fort Worth. UT Arlington
UTA West first broke ground in Fort Worth in April 2025 after announcing the campus in August 2024. It is expected to cost a total of $150 million by the time of completion. The university estimates it will serve at least 10,000 students.
UTA West is set to become UTA’s third campus in Fort Worth after the research center in east Fort Worth and its satellite campus downtown. With 41,000 students, the university is one of the largest in Texas. About 162,000 alumni live in North Texas, who contribute about $23 billion in economic impact, according to university data.
A rendering of the approved building at UTA West in west Fort Worth. UT Arlington
UTA achieved Tier One status as a research institution in 2021 after it surpassed thresholds set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The school has also been recognized as the No. 1 public school in the Metroplex by the Wall Street Journal in previous years.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Samuel O’Neal is a local news reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram covering higher education and local news in Fort Worth. He joined the team in December 2025 after previously working as a staff writer at the Philadelphia Inquirer. He graduated from Temple University, where he served as the Editor-in-Chief of the school’s student paper, The Temple News.