Is Texas A&M University a Good School?

In the past, the “A&M” in Texas A&M University (TAMU or A&M) stood for Mechanical and Agricultural. Today, however, it no longer explicitly stands for anything. But is TAMU good for anyone who wishes to apply to it?

Texas A&M University is a good school for those who like to attend a flagship school where a bustling social scene doesn’t necessarily equate to raging parties. TAMU is ideal, too, for students who like to go to a massive school located in a small suburban landscape, with a large and diverse student body.

Here’s a fact that will surely make you reach down your pocket each time: It’s a tradition among Aggies (what TAMU students call themselves) to place a penny on the foot of the statue of Lawrence Sullivan “Sul” Ross, a former governor of Texas, for good luck on their examinations.

Texas A&M

Superstitious or not, the following are some A&M quick stats every aspirant need to know:

  • Location: College Station, Texas
  • Founding date: 1876
  • Motto: Through unity, strength
  • Campus size: 5,200 acres
  • Campus type: Suburban
  • School type: Conservative public land-grant research university
  • Reputation: Party school
  • Selectivity level: Moderately selective
  • Number of majors: 93
  • Popular majors: Accounting, Agricultural Business, Biomedical Sciences, Liberal Arts and Humanities, Psychology
  • Student body: 70,418 (as per Common Data Set 2020 to 2021)
  • Students per class: 20 to 29 in most classes
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: 19:1
  • Retention rate: 94%
  • Graduation rate: 79%
  • Athletic affiliation: NCAA Division I
  • Color: Maroon and white
  • Mascot: Reveille
  • Number of varsity teams: 20
  • Sports: Baseball, basketball, cross country, equestrian, football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball

Before we proceed, by the way, let’s get one thing straight…

More often than not, when we’re talking about Texas A&M University in this article, we’re referring to the flagship school of the Texas A&M University System, the one located in College Station.

What is the Ranking of Texas A&M University?

Texas A&M University is one of the most highly ranked schools in the land. For instance, it’s #26 in Top Public Schools and #68 in National Universities by US News. On the other hand, TAMU is #21 in Best Public Colleges in the US by College Simply and #17 in Top Public Universities in America by Niche.

If you are one of the many college-bound teenagers who prefer to earn a degree from a high-ranking public institution, then A&M would make for a fantastic addition to your college list.

That’s because various college ranking sites have placed it near the top of their various lists.

As the flagship school of the Texas A&M University System, it isn’t shocking why TAMU is one of the most highly ranked institutions in the Lone Star State. Just take a quick look at the following:

  • #2 in Best Public Colleges in Texas (College Simply)
  • #2 in Top Public Universities in Texas (Niche)
  • #3 in Best Colleges in Texas (College Factual)
  • #3 in Best Colleges in Texas (Niche)
  • #6 in Best Colleges in Texas (College Simply)
  • #11 in Texas’ Best Colleges and Universities (Academic Influence)

I have just started here and it is a very big school, but because of the area it is very cozy and feels very at home. Everyone is friedndly and welcoming and mostly everywhere has opened back up.

Niche.com

What is Texas A&M University Known For?

Texas A&M University is known for its school spirit and traditions. After all, it’s the state’s first public institution for higher education. Established in 1876, TAMU became the flagship school of the Texas A&M University System in 1948. As of this writing, its student body is the largest in the US.

In 1866, the state of Texas agreed to create a college under the terms of the Morrill Act. However, it was only after a decade when A&M was founded.

Back then, it was the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (Texas AMC).

TAMU is now known as a highly ranked institution not only in Texas but also across the US. It’s admired for its long tradition, academics, social scene, Greek life and athletics. Not too many college-bound kids applying to A&M know that it has participated in over 500 research projects in more than 80 countries.

Some of the most popular majors at TAMU include:

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Biology
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business
  • Communications
  • Computer Science
  • Economics
  • Engineering
  • Finance
  • Humanities
  • Kinesiology
  • Liberal Arts
  • Math
  • Nutrition
  • Physical Therapy
  • Political Science
  • Psychology

It’s no secret among Aggies that TAMU’s most popular sport is football. So much so that the school claims three national championships in football.

Is Texas A&M University a Party School?

Texas A&M University is a party school. However, unlike others, it doesn’t dominate top party school rankings. For instance, it’s just #132 in Top Party Schools in America by Niche. The same ranker ranks TAMU #10 in Top Party Schools in Texas. AT A&M, there is a perfectly good balance of work and play.

Make sure to consider applying to Texas A&M University if you want to attend a school where the students know how to work hard for a degree and unwind as necessary without going overboard.

Based on a Niche poll, 25% of admits agree that decent parties are limited to weekends only.

The same poll reveals that the following are some of the most popular party events at Texas A&M University:

  • Chili Fest
  • After any home football games
  • Ring weekends
  • After the Alabama game
  • Midnight Yell
  • Bonfire
  • Ring Dunk

According to the school’s Student Activities webpage, there are more than 1,000 registered organizations available. This means that you could follow your passions and interests and meet new friends and build a network in over a thousand ways. And to help you get started, TAMU has both OrgSearch and OrgMatch.

What is the Size and Type of Texas A&M University Campus?

The Texas A&M University campus, which has a suburban setting, measures 5,200 acres. It’s home to more than 200 buildings and 70,418 students, approximately 11,000 of whom live on-campus in residence halls and university apartments. Niche ranks A&M #13 in Best College Campuses in Texas.

Speaking of Niche, the well-known college ranking site ranks TAMU #3 in Colleges With the Best Student Life in Texas and #9 in Best Greek Life Colleges in Texas and, as mentioned earlier, #10 in Top Party Schools in Texas.

It’s because of this why ending up bored is less likely to happen to you while within the school’s premises.

Stepping foot outside the campus allows you to visit the city’s libraries, museums, sports complexes, memorials, breweries, vineyards, parks and trails. There are also various entertainment centers, spas and yoga studios. Night owls looking for some fun have bars, grills and restaurants to pay a visit.

Some of the major cities closest to Texas A&M University include:

  • Houston
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • San Antonio
  • Arlington
  • Irving
  • Fort Worth
  • Garland
  • Plano
  • Shreveport
  • Corpus Christi
  • Laredo
  • Nuevo Laredo
  • Baton Rouge

Based on FBI data, the chances of winding up a victim of a violent or property crime around the TAMU campus is one in 44. College Station is as safe as the state of Texas average. However, it’s less safe than the national average.

What Schools are Similar to Texas A&M University?

Many agree that Texas A&M University is unique in terms of school spirit, traditions and alumni network, which is why not too many institutions can be compared to it. However, a lot of those who apply to TAMU also consider the likes of Clemson University, the University of Alabama and Virginia Tech.

Certain that your chances of getting an acceptance letter from A&M are good? Then it’s very much likely for you to also get an offer to enroll at other academic institutions similar to the College Station-based school.

Only a few of them exist as many current and former students vouch for the uniqueness of TAMU.

If you are on the hunt for schools similar to Texas A&M University and want to fill your college list with them, check which of the following colleges and universities would also make for an excellent fit:

  • Baylor University. Chartered in 1845, Baylor University, which is a private research institution, is the oldest continuously operating university in the state of Texas.
  • Clemson University. A public land-grant institution, Clemson University focuses on conducting research for the betterment of the community, centering in solving real-world problems.
  • Texas Tech. Established in 1923 in Lubbock, Texas, Texas Tech is the primary campus of the Texas Tech University System, which consists of a total of five institutions.
  • University of Alabama. Other than being the oldest and largest public institution in Alabama, the University of Alabama is also the flagship school of the University of Alabama System.
  • University of Florida. Regarded as a Public Ivy, the University of Florida is the senior member of the State University System of Florida. It’s also known as a party school.
  • University of Houston. Population-wise, the University of Houston is the third-largest school in the state of Texas. It’s the flagship school of the University of Houston System, too.
  • University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. Besides being the flagship school of the UNC System, the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill is also the first public university in the country.
  • Virginia Tech. As the name suggests, Virginia Tech, which is a public land-grant research university, takes pride in conducting research to solve complex problems across various disciplines.

What is the Acceptance Rate at Texas A&M University?

The acceptance rate at Texas A&M University is 58%. With more than half of all applicants gaining admission into the public institution, TAMU is a moderately selective school. The composite SAT and ACT scores of most admitted first-year students range from 1170 to 1380 and 30 to 36, respectively.

In the state of Texas, there are many highly selective colleges and universities.

Some of the most well-known ones include Rice University and the University of Texas at Austin. They are also highly ranked schools just like Texas A&M University.

To give you a much better idea of A&M’s selectivity level, check out the following table of schools located in the Lone Star State arranged by acceptance rate:

NAMELOCATIONACCEPTANCE RATE
Rice UniversityHouston9%
Dallas Christian CollegeDallas13%
Trinity UniversitySan Antonio29%
University of Texas at AustinAustin32%
Texas Wesleyan UniversityFort Worth42%
Baylor UniversityWaco45%
University of DallasIrving45%
LeTourneau UniversityLongview45%
McMurry UniversityAbilene45%
Southern Methodist UniversityDallas47%
Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth47%
Southwestern UniversityGeorgetown49%
Austin CollegeSherman51%
Howard Payne UniversityBrownwood54%
Texas A&M International UniversityLaredo54%
Texas A&M University – GalvestonGalveston55%
University of Houston – VictoriaVictoria56%
Tarleton State UniversityStephenville56%
Texas Lutheran UniversitySeguin56%
Southwestern Adventist UniversityKeene58%
Texas A&M University – College StationCollege Station58%
East Texas Baptist UniversityMarshall59%
Abilene Christian UniversityAbilene61%
Huston Tillotson UniversityAustin63%
Vet Tech Institute of HoustonHouston65%
University of HoustonHouston65%
Our Lady of the Lake University – San AntonioSan Antonio68%
Stephen F. Austin State UniversityNacogdoches68%
Texas Tech UniversityLubbock69%
West Texas A&M UniversityCanyon69%

Dreaming of becoming an A&M student but fearing that you might not receive an acceptance letter from its admissions office? Check out this article on just how difficult or easy it is to gain admission into the school so that you may be able to place it on your college list without any hesitation.

Does Texas A&M University Offer Early Decision?

With the exception of the College of Engineering, Texas A&M University does not have any early admission plan such as Early Action or Early Decision. So, in other words, interested students can apply Regular Decision only. Decision notifications are sent out anywhere from January 1 to late March.

One of the things that make the college application season a stressful and exhausting time for graduating high school students is that there are many different application deadlines to remember.

Having Texas A&M University on your college list means less hassle.

That’s because there is only one application deadline to remember: December 1. But it doesn’t mean that you should wait until that date to apply to TAMU. You can start sending your application as early as August 1. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that applying earlier means getting a decision notification earlier, too.

Aspirants can apply to A&M using either the Coalition App or the state of Texas’ very own ApplyTexas. If you are applying to various schools in Texas, it’s a much better idea to use ApplyTexas.

By the way, are you a resident of Texas and do you rank in the top 10% of your graduating class?

Then you qualify for automatic admission into Texas A&M University. As a matter of fact, it guarantees you automatic acceptance into any state school in Texas. Needless to say, your acceptance rate goes from 58% to 100%.

Texas A&M

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Texas A&M University?

The estimated net price of going to Texas A&M University for one year is, as expected, cheaper for in-state students. For Texas residents, the amount is $31,476. For non-Texas residents, the amount almost doubles: $60,460. The tuition and fees are over three times higher for out-of-state students.

A&M is #1 in 2022 Most Affordable Colleges in Texas ranking by College Affordability Guide.

For students who live in the state of Texas, there is no denying that earning a degree from TAMU is not that harsh on the savings. Sadly, the same cannot be said for those who live elsewhere in the US. That’s because the in-state tuition and fees of $13,012 climb to $40,896 for out-of-state students.

Texas A&M University wasn’t my first choice and it seems like a lot of people I know aren’t theirs either. What I do love about A&M is the financial aid assistance I received from them and it was definitely a pull factor for me.

Niche.com

At Texas A&M University, scholarship awards range anywhere from $500 to $2,000 per year. Up to 50% of scholarships offered are evaluated on academic merit. On the other hand, the remaining 50% of available scholarships are offered on a combination of academic merit and need.

Related Article: 425 Colleges Charging In-State Tuition for Out-of-State Applicants

Here’s a breakdown of the estimated cost of attending TAMU for one year for first-year students, based on the academic year 2021 to 2022 rate:

EXPENSESIN-STATE COSTSOUT-OF-STATE COSTS
Tuition and fees$13,012$40,896
Loan fees$64$64
Room and board$11,400$11,400
Books and supplies$1,000$1,000
Travel$2,500$3,600
Personal$3,500$3,500
TOTAL$31,476$60,460

How Much Do Texas A&M University Graduates Make?

The initial annual salary of Texas A&M University graduates six years after enrolling at the school for the first time is $51,300. It climbs to $65,600 annually ten years from the time they initially attended TAMU. The said annual salary is a little more than 90% higher than the national median.

At A&M, all undergraduate students are required to declare and commit to a major. Needless to say, you will not be able to graduate without completing a major.

According to the institution itself, everyone is encouraged to pick a major at the time of application.

This is why it’s a good idea to know the major of your preference before adding Texas A&M University to your college list. But fret not if, while attending TAMU, you realized you picked the wrong major. That’s because you can always opt for another one, although you will have to consult both the advisor in the current major and in the new major.

Speaking of major, the one you choose could have a considerable impact on your salary as an employed individual. Check out the estimated initial annual earnings of A&M graduates by major:

MAJORYEARLY EARNINGS
Petroleum Engineering$81,800
Chemical Engineering$79,900
Marine Transportation$74,300
Electrical Engineering$73,200
Communications Engineering$73,200
Mechanical Engineering$71,600
Computer and Information Sciences$71,200
Computer Engineering$70,900
Biomedical Engineering$69,500
Business$67,800
Commerce$67,800
Civil Engineering$64,500
Industrial Engineering$63,700
Registered Nursing$63,000
Nursing Administration$63,000
Clinical Nursing$63,000
Accounting$59,400
Finance$55,900
Agricultural Engineering$51,500
Mathematics$50,900
Applied Mathematics$50,600
Marketing$47,400
Information Technology$47,200
Agriculture$43,500
Architecture$42,600
Chemistry$42,100
Food Science and Technology$41,700
Communication and Media Studies$38,100
Political Science$37,600
Animal Sciences$33,700
History$33,700
Health and Physical Education$33,000
Sociology$32,200
English Language and Literature$30,400
Psychology$29,900
Biology$24,800
Anthropology$19,500

Just Before You Apply to Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University is one of the most highly ranked schools in Texas and the US, too. While it’s known as a party school, there is no reason to cross it out of your college list as the parties are modest, thus allowing you to have some fun and excitement without potentially putting your studies on the line.

Above, we talked about some of the most important things aspiring Aggies need to know about TAMU. Take your time when weighing the pros and cons of attending it for the best possible college experience and future career.


Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the College Reality Check.

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