A relatively new college, the University of North Texas at Dallas welcomed its first freshman class in 2010. Enrollment has grown every semester since, and the campus is growing, too: The university’s first residence hall opened in 2017, and a new, $63-million student center opened in 2019.
Despite its youth, the university has made a name for itself as a standout in social mobility: About two-thirds of students qualify for federal grants for low-income students, and the university’s Center for Socioeconomic Mobility Through Education works on helping to develop sustainable programs to improve student outcomes and accelerate social mobility.
About half of all undergraduates are Hispanic, and nearly 30% are Black. Many students come in as transfers after earning some credits at community colleges. In Money’s analysis, UNTD ranks well for affordability, with an average annual cost below $10,000 for in-state students. The university also offers a fixed tuition plan that allows incoming students to lock in their costs for a period of up to five years.
