Texas A&M Ranks Among Best In Nation For Tuition Rates

Texas A&M University is ranked in CollegeAtlas.org’s Encyclopedia for Higher Ed “2014 Best Colleges and Universities A-Lists” as a top-five best-value institution for in-state tuition and seventh-best based on tuition costs for out-of-state students. Both rankings are the best in Texas.

“Keeping tuition as affordable as possible while maintaining our high academic standards has long been an institutional goal at Texas A&M as we remain ever mindful of college costs for our students and their parents or guardians,” said Interim Texas A&M President Mark A. Hussey when informed of the university’s newest rankings. “This new survey underscores that we are succeeding in meeting that goal in comparison to other institutions, ranking high among the leaders nationally and first in Texas.”

Rachel Beckstead, CollegeAtlas.org’s senior product manager, explained how the publication’s A-List differs from other national rankings: “The A-List rankings stand out from others in that the algorithm rewards top schools that have the best combination of academic quality, affordability, and accessibility — resulting in a list of schools with high academic standards, feasible tuition rates, and challenging, yet realistic acceptance standards.

“By producing our own ranking lists in addition to reporting on other publications’ rankings, we feel that we are able to weed out inconsistencies, eliminate bias and provide a more accurate, complete view of college standings,” she adds.

Under each college or university listing, the publication also provides useful information for prospective students such as how and where to apply, what entrance tests are required, availability of scholarships and financial aid and how to contact that office. Other information lists library facilities, athletics and student housing.

The site also provides information about how other publications rank the university. In the case of Texas A&M, it notes “The U.S. News and World Report’s 2014 edition ranks Texas A&M as 25th overall among public universities and 2nd in the nation in the ‘great schools, great prices’ category. The Wall Street Journal named Texas A&M 2nd among all national universities in a survey of top U.S. corporations, nonprofits and government agencies, based on graduates who recruiters prefer to hire. Texas A&M also ranks 2nd nationally among public and private universities in 2014 Washington Monthly based on research, service, social mobility and contributions to society.”

The publication also shows that Texas A&M is ranked second in the nation on its “Top Colleges in Social Media” list in the category of most influential colleges and in first place in the “Most Engaged College Communities” category. On Facebook, Texas A&M is listed as the second most influential college in the nation.

In its description of Texas A&M, the publication incorrectly notes that the A and M in the institution’s name stand for “Agriculture and Mechanical.” That designation was discontinued when the institution gained university status in 1963, but “A&M” was incorporated into in its new name.