PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Sept. 25, 2025) – Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) is on the move. With record enrollment, rising national rankings, and students achieving career success at top companies, the University is building undeniable momentum on its Journey to Eminence.
Enrollment continues to climb, reaching 10,085 students this fall. That steady growth builds on gains from 9,821 students in 2024 and 9,415 in 2023. As the student body grows, so does national recognition. In U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 rankings, the University secured the No. 18 spot among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), rising from No. 26 in the 2024 rankings, and making it the highest-ranked HBCU in Texas.
PVAMU also earned the No. 117 position nationally for social mobility, a measure of how effectively universities help students from all backgrounds improve their economic futures. Among Texas universities, PVAMU is ranked No. 11 in terms of social mobility.
More recently, the 2026 Niche list of Best HBCU Schools in America placed Prairie View A&M at No. 10, further reinforcing its rising stature. Also highlighting the University’s upward momentum, the latest U.S. News rankings spotlight PVAMU among the “Top Performers on Social Mobility,” tying at #154 nationally.
Moreover, PVAMU is also being recognized for value: a 2025 SmartAsset ranking placed it as the #1 HBCU in Texas in terms of value, considering tuition, scholarships, retention, and graduate starting salary. These combined distinctions suggest that PVAMU is not just climbing in raw rank but doing so in a way that uniquely benefits students with fewer resources while also progressing more rapidly than many established peers.
“In assessing the overall standing and trajectory of a university, multiple measures come into play. National rankings provide one lens through which to view the progress of an institution,” said President Tomikia P. LeGrande. “For Prairie View A&M University, these results affirm what our faculty, students, and alumni experience daily—that PVAMU is ascending in stature and academic distinction. The continued rise in enrollment reflects growing demand for a Prairie View education, signaling that students across the state and throughout the nation see us as a sought-after destination for learning and discovery. That demand is matched by our deep commitment to student success and to advancing scholarship, research, and service. As we move toward our long-term vision of eminence, this recognition underscores both our momentum and the enduring impact of our mission.”
The rankings are, indeed, only a part of PVAMU’s story. What they truly reflect is the University’s commitment to providing a top-notch education that prepares students for bright futures. At Prairie View A&M, students don’t just earn degrees; they gain the skills, support, and opportunities that position them for success in competitive industries. One recent example is Jordan Miller ’25, a U.S. Army veteran who persevered through challenges on his path to earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Today, Miller is employed at ConocoPhillips, a Fortune 500 company, where his career underscores the return on investment that a PVAMU education delivers. Looking ahead, he hopes to transition into cybersecurity, a field with the potential to strengthen systems and safeguard information nationwide. His journey is just one of many that demonstrate how the University equips graduates to achieve not only high-paying, impactful careers, but also futures with the power to influence society on a larger scale.
From enrollment growth to national recognition, Prairie View A&M is charting a course toward greatness. Students like Miller demonstrate that this momentum is more than numbers; it’s about lives transformed, careers launched, and opportunities realized. Guided by the 2035 Strategic Plan: Journey to Eminence, Prairie View A&M University is accelerating its research enterprise, elevating academic programs, and advancing student success. Together, these efforts are positioning the University at the forefront of discovery and student achievement, setting a new standard for what a leading HBCU can deliver to Texas and the nation.
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