Texas A&M University

Texas A&M is moderately selective, admitting about 51.7% of applicants in the most recent cycle — roughly 32,500 offers out of nearly 63,000 applications, with about 12,500 first-years enrolling. It is more accessible than many flagships, but the Texas top-10% law fills much of the class, so spots are far more competitive for applicants who aren't automatically admitted.

Out-of-state applicants face a noticeably lower admit rate than Texas residents. In the most recent cycle, Texas A&M admitted about 54.2% of in-state applicants (26,620 of 49,156) compared to 41.3% of out-of-state applicants (4,489 of 10,882) and 48.5% of international applicants (1,422 of 2,929). The gap reflects the state's top-10% law, which automatically qualifies Texas graduates who finish in the top decile of their class. Texas A&M also lists state residency and geographical residence as important admission factors, so non-residents are competing for a meaningfully smaller share of seats.

Texas A&M doesn't publish an average admitted GPA in its Common Data Set — it weighs class rank instead, which is rated a very important factor along with academic GPA and course rigor. About 72% of enrolled first-years ranked in the top tenth of their high school class, and 93% were in the top quarter. Texas residents who graduate in the top 10% are eligible for automatic academic admission.

A 1300 is competitive — it sits right around the middle of admitted students at Texas A&M, where the median SAT is 1280 and the middle 50% of enrolled first-years who submitted scores scored 1160 to 1390 (24 to 32 on the ACT). Texas A&M is test-optional, so scores are only considered if you submit them, and a 1300 would land you above the median.

Yes — Texas A&M is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required and are only considered when submitted. Among enrolled first-years who did submit scores, the middle 50% scored 1160 to 1390 on the SAT and 24 to 32 on the ACT. Standardized test scores are rated only as 'considered' in admissions, well below the rigor of your coursework and your class rank.

Annual tuition and required fees are about $12,856 for Texas residents and $40,847 for out-of-state students. About 40% of first-years receive need-based grant or scholarship aid, with an average need-based package near $20,717, and the university meets roughly 71% of demonstrated need on average.

Engineering is the single largest area at about 23% of bachelor's degrees, followed by agriculture and life sciences at roughly 20% and business at 14%. Social sciences and communication (about 14%), health professions, and a broad range of science and computing programs round out this comprehensive land-grant curriculum.

Yes. Texas A&M rates the application essay as an important factor in its review — above test scores and recommendations, which are only 'considered.' For applicants who aren't automatically admitted under the top-10% rule, the essay is one of the clearest places to stand out, since rigor of coursework, class rank, GPA, extracurriculars, and talent are all weighed as very important.