Overview
The University of Texas at Austin is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System and one of the largest universities in the United States. Its campus north of the Capitol is anchored by the Main Building and its tower.
History
Voters chose Austin as the site of the university in 1881, and classes began in 1883. In 1923, oil was struck on university lands in West Texas at the Santa Rita No. 1 well. The discovery greatly enlarged the Permanent University Fund, which has financed campus growth ever since. The Main Building and its 307-foot tower were completed in 1937.
Today
UT Austin is home to the Harry Ransom Center, the Blanton Museum of Art and the LBJ Presidential Library. Its Longhorns teams play in the Southeastern Conference, which they joined in 2024. Football games at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium are among the largest gatherings in Central Texas.
Compiled October 2026. History is summarized for general interest; check primary sources for research. This landmark is local context, not an employer or job listing.