San Antonio, Texas (September 2, 2025) – In a historic moment for higher education and healthcare, The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and UT Health San Antonio have officially merged to become The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) — a premier global university set to transform education, research, healthcare, and economic development across Texas and beyond.
With the merger, UT San Antonio emerges as the third-largest public research university in Texas by annual research expenditures, trailing only Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin. The institution now encompasses 40,000 students, 17,000 employees, and more than $486 million in research funding, supported by a growing $1.3 billion endowment.
A New Era of Excellence
UT San Antonio unites two Carnegie R1 institutions—the highest designation for research activity—marking the nation’s largest university integration by research dollars and endowment since 2013. President Taylor Eighmy called the merger an intentional step toward creating a transformative public research university.
“With this spirit of excellence, we’ve combined two distinguished Tier One institutions to form a new world-class university that champions social mobility, improves health, and powers discovery to amplify our collective strengths and create impact at scale,” said Eighmy.
Academic Strength and Global Reach
The new university spans 15 colleges and schools across six campuses, offering more than 320 undergraduate and graduate degrees across disciplines including science, engineering, business, humanities, the arts, and the full spectrum of health sciences.
Globally recognized, UT San Antonio ranks among the top 3% of universities worldwide (Center for University World Rankings) and sits in the top 12% nationally for social mobility (Wall Street Journal/College Pulse). Its Executive MBA program also ranks third in the U.S. (CEO Magazine).
The UT San Antonio Health Science Center, the region’s only academic health center, is ranked in the top 2.4% of universities worldwide and produces world-class biomedical research. Its clinical arm, UT Health San Antonio, provides over 2.5 million patient visits annually across more than 200 medical and dental specialties, addressing the health needs of South Texas and beyond.
“Synergies of expertise that come together allow us to innovate. A discovery here improves lives across the globe,” said Francisco G. Cigarroa, MD, senior executive vice president for health affairs and health system at UT San Antonio.
Economic Powerhouse for Texas
The merger is projected to generate a $7 billion annual economic impact, fueling San Antonio’s $44.1 billion healthcare and biosciences sector — the city’s largest industry. Institutional data shows that more than 90% of UTSA alumni remain in Texas, strengthening the state’s workforce and ensuring a pipeline of skilled graduates in high-demand fields.
“UT San Antonio is going to enrich the culture that makes this region one of the best places to study, work, and live. Education saves lives, and its impact will last generations,” added Cigarroa.
Athletics and Tradition Continue
While the institution’s scope grows, traditions remain strong. The university will continue competing in 17 NCAA Division I sports under the UTSA Roadrunners banner, with Rowdy the Roadrunner continuing as the beloved mascot.
A Vision for the Future
UT San Antonio leaders envision accelerated development of innovative programs, including hands-on learning and interdisciplinary degrees like the nation’s first dual program in medicine and artificial intelligence, launched in 2023.
UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife praised the milestone:
“I cannot overstate the significance of what this new UT San Antonio will mean to Texas and the nation. This is and always will be about impact — combining two institutions that complement each other to deliver life-changing education, research, and healthcare.”
With this merger, San Antonio now stands at the forefront of global education, healthcare, and research, as UT San Antonio works toward joining the ranks of the Association of American Universities (AAU), the nation’s most prestigious group of research universities.