Tarleton State University Fort Worth campus pictured, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Fort Worth.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
Tarleton State University is growing its Fort Worth footprint, marking the latest area college to announce expansion plans as city leaders look to establish Tarrant County as a higher education hub.
Tarleton State Fort Worth leaders want to expand to 17 buildings and turn the school into a residential campus over the next 20 years.
Article continues below this ad
An interior view of a building at Tarleton State University Fort Worth campus, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Fort Worth.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
An interior view of a building at Tarleton State University Fort Worth campus, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Fort Worth.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
A Trinity Metro bus is seen at Tarleton State University Fort Worth campus, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Fort Worth.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
A large Tarleton State University banner is seen on a building at Tarleton State University Fort Worth campus, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Fort Worth.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
The new infrastructure will support the campus’ projected enrollment growth. University leaders anticipate enrollment will surpass 10,000 students in the next ten years. It now has about 2,600 students across two buildings on its Chisholm Trail Parkway campus.
“The hope for this is to intentionally connect with our friends in Fort Worth and Crowley to make a true mixed-use place and space for the community,” said Rachael Capua, vice president for external operations and dean of Tarleton State Fort Worth, at a campus event unveiling the plan last week. “This is a campus designed around students, around access and around the future of Tarrant County.”
Tarleton State’s planned expansion comes amid increased investments from city and university leaders to bolster higher education in Fort Worth. Multiple schools, such as Texas A&M University and University of Texas at Arlington, are planning new campuses and academic programs in the area.
Article continues below this ad
Make Dallas News a preferred source so your search results prioritize writing by actual people, not AI.
Add Preferred Source
Related: Texas A&M’s new Fort Worth campus opens this fall. Here’s what to know
Officials say these campuses will help meet the region’s talent and research needs and help Fort Worth, one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, stay economically competitive. They also fill a glaring gap in the city’s higher education landscape: Fort Worth was one of the few large cities in Texas without a Tier 1 research institution, a status that can play a key role in attracting top faculty, students and industries to areas. Texas A&M and UTA are both R1 schools.
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker (second from left) participates in a fireside chat moderated by James Hurley, Tarleton State University president (left), along with Fort Worth City Council member Mia Hall, and Fort Worth City Manager Jay Chapa during a ceremony to announce plans to expand its campus at Tarleton State University Fort Worth campus, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Fort Worth.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
On the Tarleton State campus last week, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said the region’s higher education institutions were the biggest opportunity for the city as it rapidly grows.
Article continues below this ad
“I think our responsibility is to harness what is happening right now — to keep our competitive edge in place, but also pay attention to what partnership looks like,” she said. “That has been the secret of D-FW and Fort Worth for a very long time.”
Tarleton State President James Hurley, who called Parker “the higher education mayor,” said the region’s higher education boom “isn’t by accident.”
“You have a group of presidents that really believe that a high tide will raise all boats,” he said. “Collectively, we will never do enough to meet the need. We’re still going to fall short.”
Tarleton State Fort Worth’s master plan, which will happen in five phases, will add seven academic buildings, four residential towers and recreation spaces, such as a student amphitheater, on the 80-acre campus.
Article continues below this ad
University officials are also planning for a child development center on campus. A campus survey last year found that half of Tarleton State Fort Worth students who are parents said they would take advantage of the service, according to Capua.
A rendering shows a proposed mixed use community on the Tarleton State University Fort Worth campus, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Fort Worth.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
“How do we eliminate barriers? How do we do this in a way that becomes not just buildings, but hope?” Capua said.
A new overpass off Chisholm Trail Parkway will also break ground this year and is projected to open in 2028. City and university officials say it will make it easier to access Tarleton State Fort Worth and increase the campus’ visibility from downtown.
Article continues below this ad
Tarleton State’s presence in Fort Worth is also set to expand this August with the opening of Texas A&M’s downtown campus. The campus will house degree-granting programs from Texas A&M University and Tarleton State University, which is part of the A&M System.
Officials say the campus will help fill the region’s growing talent and research needs by collaborating in key area industries including healthcare, aerospace, and media and entertainment. Fort Worth, Tarrant County and Texas A&M leaders are also working to build a mixed-use innovation district around the campus that will connect companies with the university, startups and other businesses to foster economic development.
Tarleton State will offer programs focused on health sciences, including an associate’s degree in histotechnology, bachelor’s degrees in biomedical sciences, biotechnology and medical laboratory science, and a master’s in diagnostic molecular science.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms Of Use and acknowledge that your information will be used as described in our Privacy Policy.
The school is planning to launch another bachelor’s degree and two doctorate programs in the future.
Article continues below this ad
The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.
The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, Judy and Jim Gibbs, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Ron and Phyllis Steinhart, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks, and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.