Texas A&M University has been recognized as the top university in Texas for the second consecutive year, according to a recent ranking by the Wall Street Journal. The ranking system includes metrics such as graduation rates, post-graduation employment outcomes and student recommendation scores. 

Being the oldest public institution for higher learning in Texas and one of the largest universities in the country, A&M is known across the world for its reputable education and the “Aggie Network” of distinguished former students. 

Not only does the Wall Street Journal recognize A&M for its excellence, but the US News college rankings do as well. As highlighted in the latest updated list, A&M is ranked No. 21 in top public universities, No. 51 in national universities and No. 70 in best value schools. 

“We have known it all along,” Provost and Executive Vice President Alan Sams, responsible for the academic research operations and enrollment management of the university, said. “Look at all the indicators: the graduation rate, the corporate leaders. … I wasn’t surprised one bit about it.”

Peter Lange, A&M’s chief operating officer and senior vice president, said his department keeps campus facilities, architecture, utilities, transportation, dining, environmental affairs, health and safety well-maintained — a primary reason he believes A&M is so heavily admired by students around the nation.

“When you think about the way the campus looks or the way the campus is lit, it’s always clean,” Lange said. “Clean usually equals … safe.” 

The focus on providing robust academic support also played a key role in the ranking. According to Sams, the various resources available to students, such as the Math Learning Center, Writing Center and Academic Success Center are designed to help students succeed academically. Sams and his department are directly in charge of these facilities. 

“We have wrap-around academic support for students,” Sams said. “Advisors are making sure that the courses are available and you’re taking the right sequence — and you’re not missing something along the way.”

Affordability is another critical component of A&M’s appeal. Sams said the school makes an effort to provide cost-effective education, including the implementation of open educational resources that offer free-to-low-cost materials. 

“We’re always looking for ways to improve that,” Sams said. “We’ve made a lot of effort recently on open educational resources so that we have free, or almost free, books and materials and things for students.”

The loyalty and spirit of Aggies have been crucial in shaping the university’s reputation, according to Sams. This loyalty translates into strong post-graduation outcomes, especially because of the strong Aggie Network, further enhancing A&M’s standing in the eyes of prospective students and their families.

“There’s something special about this place — the sense of loyalty that the students feel,” Sams said. “The students are at the center of everything.”

The Aggie Network specifically boasts over 600,000 former students, including Aggies across the world running businesses, making connections and working toward the betterment of society. Through email, President Mark A. Welsh III said he has always known A&M was among the best — and it’s nice to see others noticing.

“Our former students do everything in their power to help our students prepare to chase their dreams,” Welsh wrote.

As A&M celebrates the achievement, its community focuses on further enhancing the student experience, Welsh wrote. He said he remains dedicated to ensuring that future generations of Aggies benefit from the same dedication and spirit that has propelled the institution to the forefront of higher education in Texas. 

“We got here the same way Texans get anywhere else: hard work,” Welsh wrote. “Aggies understand that educational success is a team sport, and we have the best team on the planet.”

While college counselors may no longer believe that rankings hold the same prestige as they used to, President Welsh wrote the university’s distinguished reputation based on firsthand student accounts far outweighs even the Wall Street Journal ranking. In a time when higher education is facing significant challenges, the recognition of A&M as the top university in Texas reinforces its commitment to excellence and community.

“There is an almost spiritual pillar to this university,” Welsh wrote. “Aggies lean on that pillar when things get tough.”