A&M-Commerce Named a ‘Fastest-Growing College’

The Chronicle of Higher Education has ranked Texas A&M University-Commerce at No. 17 among its “Fastest-Growing Colleges, 2002-12” in its Almanac of Higher Education 2014. In the 10-year span the university experienced a 39 percent increase in enrollment.

A&M-Commerce is one of just seven Texas higher education institutions to make the list of fastest-growing public doctoral institutions and one of only two Texas A&M System universities to earn spots in the rankings for that category.

“Our university has been focused on student access and success, as well as creating a residential campus with new residence halls and a vibrant campus life,” said Vice President of Student Access and Success Dr. Mary Hendrix. “We saw an immediate change when we created the One Stop Shop in 2009. Demystifying the complexities of applying to college, applying for financial aid and receiving academic support services has made a difference. We are a university focused on personalizing the educational process.”

In the fall of 2002, enrollment at A&M-Commerce numbered at 8,542. By the fall of 2012, the number of enrolled students had increased to 11,871. The growth in enrollment comes, in part, as a result of initiatives and designations that appeal to a diverse range of students. This spring A&M-Commerce became an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution, with a full-time enrollment of 15 to 24 percent for Hispanic students. The university's fixed-rate tuition and fees plan, [in]tuition, also expands possibilities for more students and families as they plan to finance their educational futures.

A&M-Commerce is also leading the way in education that builds on life experience with its signature Texas Affordable Baccalaureate program – the state's first competency-based bachelor's degree from a public institution.

“A&M-Commerce has a 125-year legacy of extending educational opportunity to individuals from all walks of life who are in pursuit of the life-changing benefits of a college degree,” said A&M-Commerce President Dr. Dan R. Jones. “The secret to our growth is simple: combine excellent educational opportunity with great service to our students.”

The Chronicle's rankings are based on its in-house analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Education. The list includes U.S. degree-granting institutions with at least 500 students in 2002.

View the complete list of “Fastest-Growing Colleges, 2002-12” here on The Chronicle of Higher Education website.