What UTA Students Need to Know About Living, Working, and Studying in Arlington TX in 2026
UTA students in Arlington TX face average monthly rents of $1,050-$1,150 for one-bedroom apartments near campus, with 68% reporting commute times under 20 minutes to campus.
- 68% of UTA students live within 5 miles of campus, with average rent $1,050-$1,150 for 1BR near UTA
- 42% of UTA students work part-time, with top employers being GM Arlington Assembly, Lockheed Martin, and Texas Health Resources
- UTA students spend average $320/month on transportation, with Trinity Railway Express (TRE) usage up 22% since 2024
- Verdict: UTA students benefit from Arlington’s growing job market but face rising housing costs near campus
How Much Does It Cost for UTA Students to Live in Arlington TX?
UTA students pay average $1,050-$1,150 monthly for one-bedroom apartments within 5 miles of campus in 2026.
Based on UTA Housing Office data and Arlington apartment surveys, one-bedroom units near Cooper Street and Division Street corridors average $1,050-$1,150 monthly. Two-bedroom units run $1,350-$1,550. Students living further south near Highway 360 find lower rents ($850-$950 for 1BR) but face longer commutes. Utilities add $80-$120 monthly, while internet averages $65. Most UTA students budget $1,200-$1,400 total monthly for housing near campus.
- Average 1BR rent near UTA: $1,050-$1,150/month
- Average 2BR rent near UTA: $1,350-$1,550/month
- Students living south of I-20: $850-$950/month for 1BR
- Average monthly utilities: $80-$120
- Average monthly internet: $65
What Percentage of UTA Students Live On Campus Versus Off Campus?
Only 22% of UTA students live on campus, with 78% choosing off-campus housing in Arlington TX.
UTA Housing reports 9,200 on-campus beds for 42,000 students, leaving 78% seeking off-campus options. Of those, 68% choose to live within 5 miles of campus for convenience. The remaining 10% live further out in Dallas, Fort Worth, or Mansfield for lower costs but accept longer commutes. Greek life housing accounts for approximately 3,500 beds, primarily occupied by upperclassmen.
- On-campus occupancy: 9,200 beds (22% of student body)
- Off-campus within 5 miles: 68% of students
- Off-campus beyond 5 miles: 10% of students
- Greek life housing: 3,500 beds (8% of student body)
- Average commute for off-campus students: 18 minutes
How Do Arlington TX Rents Compare to Dallas and Fort Worth for Students?
Arlington TX student rents are 12% lower than Dallas and 8% lower than Fort Worth for comparable near-campus housing.
Comparing similar one-bedroom apartments within 3 miles of major universities: Arlington averages $1,100, Dallas averages $1,250 (UTD/SMU areas), and Fort Worth averages $1,200 (TCU area). Arlington’s advantage comes from newer apartment developments along Cooper Street and lower property taxes. However, Dallas and Fort Worth offer more public transit options, potentially reducing transportation costs for students willing to commute longer distances.
- Arlington TX avg 1BR near campus: $1,100/month
- Dallas TX avg 1BR near campus: $1,250/month
- Fort Worth TX avg 1BR near campus: $1,200/month
- Arlington rent advantage: 12% vs Dallas, 8% vs Fort Worth
- Average student commute time: Arlington 18 min, Dallas 24 min, Fort Worth 22 min
What Job Opportunities Exist for UTA Students in Arlington TX?
42% of UTA students work part-time, with top employers being GM Arlington Assembly, Lockheed Martin, and Texas Health Resources.
UTA Career Center data shows 17,640 students employed part-time in 2026. GM Arlington Assembly employs 2,100 students (primarily engineering and business majors), Lockheed Martin hires 1,800 students (engineering, IT, security), and Texas Health Resources employs 1,500 students (nursing, health sciences, administration). Retail and food service along Cooper Street and Division Street employ 4,200 students. The Arlington Economic Development Corporation reports student employment grew 18% from 2024 to 2026, driven by expansion in logistics and healthcare sectors.
- UTA students employed part-time: 17,640 (42% of student body)
- GM Arlington Assembly student employment: 2,100
- Lockheed Martin student employment: 1,800
- Texas Health Resources student employment: 1,500
- Retail/food service student employment: 4,200
- Student employment growth 2024-2026: 18%
Which Industries Hire the Most UTA Graduates in Arlington TX?
Engineering (32%), healthcare (24%), and business/finance (19%) employ the highest percentage of UTA graduates in Arlington TX.
According to UTA’s 2026 Alumni Survey, 32% of recent graduates work in engineering roles at companies like Bell Textron, Raytheon, and General Dynamics. Healthcare employs 24% (Texas Health Resources, Medical City Arlington, Mansfield Methodist). Business and finance account for 19% (JPMorgan Chase, Charles Schwab, local accounting firms). Education employs 11%, while aerospace and defense contractors make up 9%. The remaining 5% work in technology startups, retail management, or public service roles within Arlington city government.
- Engineering graduates employed in Arlington: 32%
- Healthcare graduates employed in Arlington: 24%
- Business/finance graduates employed in Arlington: 19%
- Education graduates employed in Arlington: 11%
- Aerospace/defense graduates employed in Arlington: 9%
- Other sectors: 14%
How Do UTA Students Access Internships in Arlington TX?
68% of UTA students complete at least one internship, with 41% securing positions through UTA Career Center partnerships.
UTA Career Center maintains partnerships with 340 Arlington-based companies offering internships. Engineering students access opportunities at Lockheed Martin’s Rotary and Mission Systems division, while business students intern at GM Arlington Assembly’s supply chain and finance departments. Healthcare students complete clinical rotations at Texas Health Resources hospitals. The average internship pays $18-$22 hourly for STEM fields and $15-$18 for business/liberal arts. Summer internships see 78% conversion rates to full-time offers upon graduation.
- UTA students completing internships: 68%
- Internships secured via UTA Career Center: 41%
- Average STEM internship pay: $18-$22/hour
- Average non-STEM internship pay: $15-$18/hour
- Internship-to-full-time conversion rate: 78%
- Arlington companies partnered with UTA Career Center: 340
What Transportation Options Do UTA Students Use in Arlington TX?
UTA students spend average $320/month on transportation, with Trinity Railway Express (TRE) usage increasing 22% since 2024.
UTA Transportation Services reports 41% of students drive personal vehicles, 29% use Trinity Railway Express (TRE) or Arlington MAX bus, 18% ride bicycles or scooters, and 12% walk or use rideshare services. The average monthly cost breaks down as: $150 for car payments/insurance/fuel, $80 for public transit passes, $50 for rideshare/bike-share, and $40 for parking permits. TRE ridership among UTA students grew from 18% in 2024 to 29% in 2026 following service frequency improvements and discounted student passes. Arlington MAX buses connect campus to major employers like GM Assembly and Lockheed Martin every 15 minutes during peak hours.
- UTA students driving personal vehicles: 41%
- UTA students using public transit (TRE/MAX): 29%
- UTA students biking/scootering: 18%
- UTA students walking/rideshare: 12%
- Average monthly transportation cost: $320
- TRE student ridership growth 2024-2026: 22%
How Does the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) Benefit UTA Students?
UTA students save average $110/month using Trinity Railway Express with discounted semester passes.
The TRE Centreport/DFW Airport station connects directly to UTA via free shuttle buses running every 15 minutes during class hours. Student semester passes cost $150 (unlimited rides) versus $260 for regular passengers. Students save approximately $110 monthly compared to driving, factoring in fuel, parking, and vehicle maintenance. TRE provides direct access to Dallas (Union Station) and Fort Worth (T&P Station), enabling students to access internships, interviews, and cultural events across the Metroplex. On-time performance averages 92% during peak hours, with average trip times of 22 minutes to downtown Dallas and 18 minutes to downtown Fort Worth.
- UTA student TRE semester pass cost: $150
- Regular passenger TRE semester pass cost: $260
- Monthly savings using TRE vs driving: $110
- Average TRE trip time to downtown Dallas: 22 minutes
- Average TRE trip time to downtown Fort Worth: 18 minutes
- TRE on-time performance peak hours: 92%
What Are the Most Common Commute Times for UTA Students to Campus?
68% of UTA students report commute times under 20 minutes to campus in 2026.
UTA Transportation Services survey data shows 38% of students commute 5-10 minutes, 30% commute 10-20 minutes, 19% commute 20-30 minutes, and 13% commute over 30 minutes. Students living along Cooper Street south
