University of Dallas vs University of Texas - Arlington

The mission of the Cowan-Blakley Memorial Library is to promote and facilitate scholarly engagement by providing access to both traditional and innovative resources, creating adaptive spaces, and cultivating excellence in teaching, learning, and research. In service to the mission of the University of Dallas, the library supports a diverse intellectual community in its pursuit of wisdom, truth, and virtue.

UT Arlington Libraries have three locations: Central Library, the Architecture and Fine Arts Library, and the Science and Engineering Library. All together, Special Collections holds more than 30,000 volumes, 7,000 linear feet of manuscripts and archival collections, 5,000 historical maps, 3.6 million prints and negatives, and thousands of items in other formats. Some of the Library's more rare and interesting materials are available online in their digital collections.

Irving, Texas, is centrally situated between Dallas and Fort Worth, and it is home to more than 240,000 residents. The city’s rich diversity is exhibited by its population and the number of languages spoken by residents. Irving offers the world-class Irving Arts Center that hosts live theater, ballet and symphony performances, as well as national and local visual exhibits. The Toyota Music Factory offers an 8,000-seat music hall that includes a 4,000-seat amphitheater and numerous dining and retail opportunities. The Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas features nearly 100,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space and is served by the a 350-room Westin Convention Center Hotel. 

Irving’s state-of-the-art transportation options include two large airports, light and heavy rail, and a number of major highways, providing easy access to North Texas and beyond. 

While Irving is in the center of a large metropolitan area, its beautiful green spaces — including exceptional golf courses and more than 80 parks on 1,873 park acres — beg outdoor activity. Irving’s Campion Trail offers 13 miles of walkable, bikeable trail. Of Irving’s 67.9 square miles of land area, more than 23-square miles are dedicated to master-planned developments and districts. These well-designed developments include the Heritage Crossing District, Las Colinas, Valley Ranch and multiple retail centers. Irving has more than 100 shopping centers and more than 500 restaurants offering a variety of cuisines.

Arlington is a global community, home to people from all corners of the world, providing a citizenry rich in ethnic and cultural diversity.
Arlington has neighborhoods to suit any lifestyle. College students have plenty of options near their campus. Young professionals can choose from trendy new apartment communities near downtown or purchase a home in one of the nation’s fastest developing real estate markets. Couples looking to start a family, or in the middle of raising one, will find plenty of home living options near some of the best-rated schools in Texas. Arlington is an affordable city to live in: Forbes ranks Arlington (along with Fort Worth) as one of the best places to buy a home, Arlington has been listed among the 35 best places to live In the U.S. if you're under 35. Strategically located within the center of the DFW Metroplex, Arlington is approximately 15 miles east of downtown Fort Worth and 20 miles west of downtown Dallas and approximately 8 miles from DFW International Airport, the fourth busiest airport in the world in terms of aircraft movement. Arlington’s quality of life is second to none, with a low cost of living, affordable housing, 4,600 acres of parkland and world-class entertainment venues that attract over 10 million visitors a year.