University of Texas at Austin Main Campus

What to know

The University of Texas at Austin is a leading public research university and a member of the University of Texas System. Its origins trace back to 1839 when the Congress of the Republic of Texas ordered a site set aside for a university, though Austin was officially chosen as the site on September 6, 1881. Founded in 1883, the campus originally consisted of a forty-acre tract on College Hill, which earned it the enduring nickname of the "Forty Acres." In 1967, the official name of the main university was changed to the University of Texas at Austin. Today, the main campus in central Austin has grown far beyond its original boundaries to cover 423.5 acres. It features 150 buildings totaling over 18,000,000 square feet. The central point of the original forty-acre site was once marked by an older Victorian-Gothic Main Building designed by Frederick Ernst Ruffini and Abner Cook, with the university's first all-purpose building completed in 1899. At the center of the campus in Downtown Austin stands the iconic Beaux-Arts Main Building, colloquially known as "The Tower." Designed by architect Paul Philippe Cret and completed in 1937, this stunning structure rises 307 feet tall and spans 27 floors. Located at 110 Inner Campus Drive, the Tower serves as a visual anchor for the entire campus. Most evenings, the Tower is illuminated in white light, but it is lit burnt orange for special occasions like athletic victories or academic achievements, and darkened for solemn occasions. Beyond its striking architecture, UT Austin is a major research powerhouse, describing itself as the number-one public university in Texas. The institution supports a vast research enterprise, which includes securing 1,291 patents over the last ten years and managing 4,400 active externally funded projects in FY25. Visitors can explore this historic campus, take in its architectural landmarks, or stop by the campus admissions center.

Visitor tips

• Head to 110 Inner Campus Drive to view the famous 307-foot Tower up close.
• If you are a prospective student or family, you can stop by the campus admissions center for an official visit.
• Walk the campus in the evening to see the Tower lit up in white, or occasionally burnt orange for special celebrations.

Nearby context

The sprawling campus sits in central Austin, offering an ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding neighborhood. Just a short walk away, you can admire the historic Victorian-style Littlefield House or head over to see the famous "Hi, How Are You" street mural, blending university heritage with Austin's quirky local art scene.