The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) will establish a new School of Computing, following approval from the University of Texas System Board of Regents. The school is scheduled to open in fall 2026 and is expected to strengthen the university’s position in computing, data science and artificial intelligence.
A rendering of the University of Texas’ new School of Computing, designed to serve students across computer science, information, statistics and data science fields (Photo source: UT Austin)
The new school will bring together computer science, information, statistics and data sciences into a single academic unit housed within the College of Natural Sciences. University officials said the move is designed to respond to rising student demand and accelerate interdisciplinary research across emerging technology fields.
UT Austin is already among the largest producers of computing and data science talent in the United States, and the new school is expected to expand pathways into high-demand careers, graduate education and research.
As part of the initiative, the university plans to recruit 50 new faculty members to support teaching and research, with a focus on advancing both technical innovation and human-centered approaches to computing.
“This unified school represents an opportunity to leverage our resources in ways that will accelerate discovery, help Texas attract talent and position our university to lead in developing systems that are trustworthy and designed to serve society’s interests,” said David Vanden Bout, dean of the College of Natural Sciences.
The School of Computing is intended to serve as a university-wide resource, supporting collaboration across disciplines including engineering, business, medicine, law, liberal arts and fine arts. Officials said the structure will enable large-scale research initiatives addressing complex challenges in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, health informatics and data-driven systems.
Peter Stone, chair of the Department of Computer Science, has been appointed special adviser for the school’s formation and will work with academic leaders across departments to prepare for the launch.
University leaders said the school will also expand access to computing education beyond traditional majors, ensuring students across disciplines develop skills relevant to an increasingly technology-driven economy.
The initiative reflects broader efforts by UT Austin to align academic programs with workforce demand and strengthen its role in advancing research and innovation in high-growth technology sectors.
