The University of Texas at Brownsville is a unique addition to The University of Texas System. A historic partnership was implemented in 1992 between the upper-level UT Brownsville and the lower-level Texas Southmost College, a community college established in Brownsville in 1926.
The partnership offers students in the lower Rio Grande Valley an opportunity to pursue programs and degrees offered at a four-year institution, but does not eliminate the vocational/technical, developmental education, and continuing education courses. Since the partnership was established, the campus of UTB/TSC has grown from 47 to more than 280 acres and is the largest college campus in South Texas. Enrollment has increased by 56% and the instructional capacity and budget have tripled. Graduation rates have also grown in all degree categories and degree program offerings have doubled at both the baccalaureate and master's levels.