This month marks the first anniversary of the merger between the University of Texas at San Antonio and UT Health San Antonio. University officials say the consolidation has already produced measurable gains for students and the broader San Antonio community.
Enrollment and applications on the rise
Fall enrollment climbed to more than 44,000 students, up nearly 5% from the combined 42,000 students recorded in the fall of 2025. President Taylor Eighmy highlighted that the increase was driven largely by first‑year students, with over 7,000 newcomers joining the campus this fall.
Application numbers also surged. The Office of Institutional Research and Analysis reported 54,867 applications for the current fall, compared with 47,350 applications a year earlier. Eighmy said the uptick reflects growing interest in the larger, more resource‑rich institution.
New academic and downtown initiatives
Since the merger became official on Sept. 1, 2025, the university has launched several first‑time initiatives. The College of AI, Cyber and Computing opened in the newly expanded Downtown Campus at the San Pedro II location. The Center for Brain Health opened in the South Texas Medical Center, and the College of Education and Human Development relocated to the downtown footprint.
University leaders announced that more than 8,000 students are now linked to programs offered downtown. Eighmy indicated plans to co‑locate a future College of Hospitality and Event Management with the Institute of Texan Cultures once a new home for the institute is secured.
Research stature and funding
The merged institution earned its final accreditation in June and now ranks as the third‑largest public research university in Texas, with an annual research portfolio of $521 million. This places UT San Antonio among the top 2.3% of U.S. institutions receiving National Institutes of Health funding and one of only 13 universities nationwide to hold three Carnegie designations for research excellence, community engagement and student social mobility.
Access and affordability
UT San Antonio continues to prioritize access. Roughly half of the 40,171 undergraduate students this fall hail from Bexar County, and a quarter come from the Gulf Coast and South Texas regions. Only 2% are out‑of‑state and another 2% are international students.
First‑generation students remain a focus. About 50% of first‑time undergraduates are the first in their families to attend college. The university’s Bold Promise program, which covers tuition for eligible students for up to four years, grew 7% this fall, serving roughly 4,500 participants, including 2,100 new students. UT Health Science Center welcomed its first cohort of 165 Bold Promise scholars.
Financial aid awards increased by $8 million, supporting an additional 1,500 students. Eighmy emphasized that the university’s drive for excellence does not come at the expense of accessibility.
Looking ahead
The university is revisiting its master plan to guide long‑term growth for both the main campus and the health campus. Eighmy described the institution’s role as an “anchor” in downtown San Antonio, helping shape the city’s future while providing high‑quality education rooted in Christian values and traditional family support.
As out‑of‑state universities intensify recruitment efforts in Texas, UT San Antonio’s expanded resources and downtown presence aim to keep local students close to home, offering a compelling value proposition for families across the region.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
