The University of Texas at Tyler

Key Highlights

• Established in 1971 and part of the University of Texas System since 1979.
• The 2021 consolidation with the former health-science center created a unified continuing institution.
• Operates a Tyler main campus, a Health Science Center and instructional locations in Longview, Palestine and Houston.
• Institutionally accredited to award bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.

Student Life & Environment

Student life is concentrated on the Tyler main campus, where housing, dining, recreation, organizations and support services are within the core campus environment. The university reports more than 80 student clubs and organizations, along with Student Government Association, leadership and community-service opportunities. Eight fraternities and sororities provide another route into campus involvement. Because regional and online students may not have the same daily access, applicants studying outside Tyler should examine the activities and services available at their specific location. UT Tyler reports more than 1,700 resident students. Its housing information describes residence-hall, apartment and townhouse-style choices, with communities near classes, the library, University Center and recreation facilities. Most university-managed apartment and townhouse options include private bathrooms and kitchens. Housing availability, contracts, meal plans and rates require separate review, and students should not assume that admission guarantees a preferred room. Athletics and recreation include 17 NCAA Division II teams, intramural and recreational activities, and the Herrington Patriot Center. Its facilities include a heated pool, walking and jogging track, and racquetball courts. The University Center provides dining, meeting, study and event spaces. Support resources listed by the university include academic-success services, international-student services, counseling, a health clinic, wellness programs and student advocacy. New Student Orientation and Swoop Camp are designed to help incoming students make the transition. Students who expect substantial clinical, laboratory or commuting commitments should consider how those obligations will fit with campus involvement.

Location & Surroundings

UT Tyler’s main campus occupies 320 wooded acres in the pine country of East Texas. It is in the southeast part of Tyler, a medium-sized regional city located less than 100 miles east of Dallas. The campus setting includes academic and residential facilities, the Herrington Patriot Center and the Cowan Center, which hosts touring performances, lectures and other public events. Location is an important academic consideration because UT Tyler operates across several sites. The Health Science Center is north of central Tyler on U.S. Highway 271 and supports the university’s healthcare, education and research mission. Longview University Center offers selected degree programs and continuing education. The Palestine Campus concentrates on nursing education, while the Houston Engineering Center serves defined engineering and construction-management pathways. Online programs add another delivery option. Prospective students should confirm the assigned location for every program, laboratory, clinical placement or course sequence. A program associated with UT Tyler may not be delivered on the residential main campus, and housing, recreation and student-organization access can differ substantially for regional, Health Science Center and online students. Those without a car should investigate transportation needs before enrolling, particularly when study or clinical work spans multiple sites.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For 2026–27, UT Tyler estimates a traditional undergraduate cost of attendance based on 15 credit hours per semester. The published total is $29,550 for a Texas resident living on campus and $44,998 for an out-of-state student living on campus. These figures include estimated tuition, fees, housing and food, books and supplies, transportation, personal expenses and loan fees. They are planning budgets rather than a bill: actual charges vary with residency, enrollment, coursework, housing, meal choices and personal circumstances. Within those on-campus budgets, estimated tuition and mandatory fees total $9,736 for a resident undergraduate and $25,184 for an out-of-state undergraduate. Housing and food are estimated at $13,756. Students living with parents or off campus have different published budgets. Graduate, doctoral, pharmacy and Health Science Center study use separate estimates, reflecting different credit loads and program costs. Applicants should use the university’s current calculator and financial-aid process for an individualized figure rather than transferring the undergraduate estimate to a professional program. Career Success serves students and alumni through individual coaching, career assessments, résumé and cover-letter resources, workshops and career fairs. Handshake provides access to internship, job, campus-employment and work-study listings. The office also offers major-and-career exploration and interview preparation. These are useful infrastructure, but they do not guarantee an internship, job or salary. Students should evaluate how their chosen curriculum builds experience through research, clinical work, internships, licensure preparation or portfolio development and ask the relevant academic unit how those opportunities are arranged.