TAMIU Makes the List of U.S. News & World Report’s College Rankings

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) made the short list of best regional universities in the country as ranked by the 2011 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s highly anticipated and sometimes controversial college rankings.

“When students and prospective students see how TAMIU ranks, they can see that we rank equal and higher to other regional universities—public and private. By coming to TAMIU, they get a better value for their money. Laredoans don’t have to leave home to get a quality education,” said TAMIU President Dr. Ray Keck.

TAMIU, along with West Texas A&M University and Texas A&M University Corpus Christi are the only Texas A&M University System schools to appear in the “Regional Universities – West (all schools).”
In the “Regional Public Universities – West” category, TAMIU was ranked No. 25 and 71 in the “Regional Universities – West (all schools).”

“Regional Public Universities – West” includes all the regional public universities in 15 states. “Regional Universities – West (all schools)” includes public and private universities.

U.S New & World Report defines regional universities: “Like the national universities, regional universities (as defined by the Carnegie Foundation as universities-master's) provide a full range of undergraduate programs and some master's level programs. They offer few, if any, doctoral programs. The 572 regional universities are ranked within four geographic areas: North, South, Midwest, and West.”

Compared to other regional public universities in Texas, TAMIU tied with the University of Texas – Tyler and Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas. It rated higher than West Texas A&M University, Canyon, Texas, and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Odessa, Texas.

When compared to regional public and private universities, such as Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas (No. 1), St. Mary’s University of San Antonio (No. 19), St. Edward’s University, Austin, Texas (No. 21), and Texas State University – San Marcos (No. 40), TAMIU rated number 71 and tied with Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas; Texas Wesleyan University, Fort Worth, Texas; and the University of Texas – Tyler. It rated higher than West Texas A&M University, Canyon, Texas, and beat the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Odessa, Texas.

Dr. Keck said the recognition is a validation that the world knows the University’s staff and faculty are giving students their best.

“Each of our employees and faculty members helped make this distinction become a reality for us. Even with the environment for higher education in Texas becoming one of rising expectations and expanded responsibilities—long hours, unstinted effort, a burgeoning program—we are fulfilling our mission and the world knows it!” exclaimed Dr. Keck.

This Fall, the University expects an enrollment of more than 7,000 students, the largest in the University’s history.

The most popular undergraduate majors are early childhood education, business administration, nursing, criminal justice and biology.

The most popular graduate majors are business administration, educational administration, information systems, school counseling and curriculum and instruction.

The overall average student age is 23 with undergraduates averaging 22 and graduates 31. The doctoral student population numbers 33 students, who average 34 years of age. The student/teacher ratio is 21:1 and undergraduate class sizes average 31 students. Female students outnumbered males 3844 (60%) to 2575 (40%) and 92 percent of all students identify themselves as minority, including Hispanic, African-American, Asian and Other.

While 95% of students come to the University from Texas last year, over 4 percent were foreign.

For more information, please contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu, 326.2180 or visit offices at Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268.

Additional information is available @txamiu on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

University office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu