Texas A&M University

College Station, TX · founded 1876 · 74,000 students · mega public · NCAA Division I (Southeastern Conference - SEC)

Known for: One of the nation's largest and most prestigious research universities, famous for its strong engineering, agriculture, and business programs, and its deeply ingrained culture of tradition, military heritage, and Aggie spirit.

Rankings

U.S. News national: #47
QS World: #164
Times Higher Education: #167
ARWU Shanghai: #151
Forbes: #55

Top programmes

Petroleum Engineering
Agricultural Sciences
Engineering (overall)
Business
Veterinary Medicine
Nuclear Engineering

Notable alumni

Robert Gates — Former U.S. Secretary of Defense and CIA Director
Lyle Lovett — Grammy-winning country singer and actor
Randy Matson — Olympic gold medalist in shot put
Earl Rudder — World War II hero and former Texas A&M president
John David Crow — Heisman Trophy winner (1957)
Mike Evans — NFL wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rick Perry — Former Governor of Texas and U.S. Secretary of Energy
John Sharp — Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System

Traditions

The 12th Man
Aggie Ring
Midnight Yell Practice
Silver Taps
Bonfire Memorial
Fish Camp

If Texas A&M University were…

As a food: Texas-style brisket from Snow's BBQ — Slow-smoked, deeply traditional, and fiercely Texan—just like A&M’s unwavering loyalty, massive scale, and love for time-honored rituals.
As an athlete: Derek Jeter — A disciplined, team-first legend who respected tradition and delivered under pressure—embodies A&M’s honor code and relentless school spirit.
As a person alive today: Matthew McConaughey — Charismatic, deeply Texan, and unapologetically traditional—a perfect match for A&M’s proud, friendly, and larger-than-life culture.
As a historical figure: Dwight D. Eisenhower — A disciplined leader who valued structure, loyalty, and service—mirroring A&M’s military roots and emphasis on duty and tradition.
As a movie or TV show: Friday Night Lights — A show about Texas-sized passion, community loyalty, and the sacredness of tradition—just like life in Aggieland.
As a US president: George H.W. Bush — A genteel, service-oriented leader with deep ties to Texas tradition—much like A&M’s ethos and its presidential library on campus.
As a city: Houston — Sprawling, industrious, proudly Texan, and built on oil, engineering, and southern hospitality—a perfect parallel to A&M’s identity.
As an element: Iron — Symbol: Fe, Atomic number: 26. Strong, foundational, and essential for industry—much like A&M’s engineering focus and unyielding tradition.
As a car: 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD — Texas A&M is the heavy-duty American workhorse with Corps of Cadets discipline—massive, traditional, fiercely loyal, and powerful enough to tow the entire SEC while singing 'The Spirit of Aggieland' at Kyle Field.

Campus life

Life is dominated by a powerful sense of community, tradition, and school spirit. The Corps of Cadets is a major presence, and the campus is known for being exceptionally friendly and welcoming, with a massive network of former students (the Aggie Network).