A consistent presence on "best of" lists and college popularity polls ranging from U.S. News & World Report to Facebook, Texas A&M also ranks as the No. 1 school in Texas for enrollment of new National Merit Scholars. The university opened in 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas and has an enrollment of over 38,000 undergrads and 9,000 graduate students participating in more than 250 degree programs. Texas A&M, situated in Bryan-College Station, about 85 miles from Austin, offers an array of 800 student organizations and activities, both sports and community service related.
One distinction of this prestigious private Houston university is its 5 to 1 student/faculty ratio. With an enrollment rate of about 5,300, Rice University is one of the most selective schools in the state.
The top 25 percent of the 2009 entering class scored 1500 on the SAT, while about 75 percent hit above 1340. The university also draws extensively from the local population; more than 50 percent of students are from Texas.
Named as one of the best values among public colleges by financial advising institute Kiplinger, University of Texas at Austin is also among the top 20 most popular colleges in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report, which bases the rankings on the number of accepted students who actually enroll. The university was founded in 1883. Enrollment at UT hovers around 50,000, with about 12,000 undergraduate and graduate degrees awarded annually. Specialty schools include architecture, education, geosciences, natural sciences, nursing and pharmacy.
Located in Lubbock, Texas, Texas Tech offers 150 degree programs to its 30,000-plus students. Founded in 1923 on the South Plains of West Texas, the school prides itself on tradition -- especially the annual dressing of its most famous landmark, the 3,200-pound statue of Will Rogers and his horse, Soapsuds. Texas Tech landed on a Washington Post list of the most popular colleges according to Facebook based on its number of fans.