The University of Texas at Arlington admits approximately 81.3% of applicants, meaning roughly 4 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places The University of Texas at Arlington in the Open Access category (>75%), indicating broad accessibility for qualified students. The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows The University of Texas at Arlington admits students at a rate similar to comparable institutions, with only 3.2 percentage points difference from typical peers. This level of accessibility means that students with solid academic preparation have favorable odds of admission, though meeting minimum requirements and demonstrating college readiness remain important. Unlike highly selective institutions where even exceptional students face uncertainty, The University of Texas at Arlington's admission process allows students to make realistic plans based on their academic profile. For prospective students, this means building a college list that includes schools with similar accessibility while also considering more selective options for potential reach choices. The combination of accessible admission with strong post-graduation outcomes makes The University of Texas at Arlington particularly attractive for students seeking both admission probability and career success.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at The University of Texas at Arlington typically score 990-1230 on the SAT, with a median of 1116 placing the institution well above national averages. The SAT Math range spans 490-610, while SAT Verbal ranges from 500-620, indicating balanced expectations across both sections. ACT scores range from 18-26 with a median of 23, demonstrating consistent academic expectations across standardized testing formats. These ranges mean that students scoring within the 990-1230 SAT band or 18-26 ACT range are academically competitive for admission, though scores outside these ranges don't automatically disqualify applicants. The peer median SAT of 1198 shows The University of Texas at Arlington's standards are 82 points below comparable institutions, suggesting slightly more accessible academic expectations than typical peers while maintaining solid academic standards. Students should consider whether their test scores align with these ranges when building their college list, recognizing that The University of Texas at Arlington evaluates applications holistically beyond test scores alone. For students scoring below the 25th percentile (990 SAT, 18 ACT), admission remains possible but may require stronger performance in other application areas. The 90th and 91st percentile rankings for SAT and ACT scores respectively indicate top-tier performance among institutions nationally, reflecting quality academics alongside accessible admission.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
The University of Texas at Arlington enrolls a diverse student body that reflects the institution's commitment to educational access. The student body includes 39.6% Pell-eligible students, indicating a substantial population from lower-income families, well above typical levels at many four-year institutions. First-generation students comprise 43.8% of enrollment, demonstrating the university's role in expanding higher education access to families without prior college experience. Transfer students represent 48.7% of the student body, indicating The University of Texas at Arlington serves as a destination for community college graduates and students transferring from other institutions. This composition suggests the university prioritizes educational opportunity alongside academic achievement, creating pathways for students from diverse educational and economic backgrounds. The high transfer share indicates strong articulation agreements and support systems for students completing their degrees after starting elsewhere. Students from lower-income families should find a substantial peer community, with nearly 2 in 5 students sharing similar economic backgrounds. First-generation students will similarly find extensive peer support, with nearly half of enrolled students navigating college as the first in their families to attend.
Given The University of Texas at Arlington's 81.3% acceptance rate, most academically prepared students should view admission as achievable rather than uncertain. However, students seeking alternatives can find comparable outcomes with different profiles.
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The University of Texas at Arlington maintains a 72.9% freshman retention rate, meaning nearly 3 in 4 first-year students return for sophomore year. This compares to a peer median of 83.7%, indicating retention rates 10.8 percentage points below comparable institutions. The six-year graduation rate reaches 56.5%, while Pell-eligible students graduate at 55.0%, creating a modest 1.5 percentage point gap between overall and Pell completion rates. This small gap indicates relatively equitable outcomes for lower-income students, with Pell recipients achieving graduation rates nearly identical to the overall student body. The close alignment between Pell and overall completion suggests strong institutional support systems for students from diverse economic backgrounds. Students who gain admission should expect solid degree completion prospects, though the retention rate indicates some adjustment challenges in the first year. The institution's success in graduating Pell students at rates similar to the overall population demonstrates effective support for lower-income students. Prospective students should consider these completion rates alongside the institution's strong mobility outcomes, recognizing that graduates who complete their degrees achieve substantial economic advancement despite modest overall completion rates compared to more selective peers.
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