County
Prairie View A&M University
Approximately 8,000 students attend Prairie View A&M University, which is the second-oldest public institution of higher learning in Texas. As a member of the A&M University System, its original mission is to educate its students in agriculture, military tactics, and the mechanical arts. Today students choose from 50 different majors, and Prairie View is known for its education, nursing, and engineering programs.
Nicknamed "the Hill," the university's 1,500-acre campus provides plenty of green spaces. The freshman experience is enhanced by the fact that all first-year students live together in their own residential college. Upperclassmen reside on campus in two- and four-bedroom apartment complexes.
The university's popular Greek system provides many social opportunities, and students also participate in the more than 90 honor societies, clubs, and other special- interest groups sponsored by the university. Student athletes compete in the NCAA and the Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC). Many students prefer to spend weekends on campus or in the town of Prairie View, which hosts rodeo events and various festivals throughout the year. Nearby lakes and recreational areas offer water sports and horseback riding. Downtown Houston, with its museums, cosmopolitan restaurants, and student hangouts like Little Woodrow's, is less than an hour's drive from campus.
Interesting Facts and milestones
- Prairie View A&M University has produced more African American flag rank military officers (9) than any other historically black university in the country.
- The Charles Gilpin Players, founded in 1929, is Texas' oldest continually performing minority theatrical troupe.
- Prairie View A&M University was the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) selected to establish both a Army and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Program.
- The University's solar observatory is the only solar observatory in Texas and one of only nine in the nation.
With an established reputation for producing engineers, nurses and educators, PVAMU offers baccalaureate degrees in 50 academic majors, 41 master's degrees and four doctoral degree programs through nine colleges and schools.
Prairie View A&M University Estimated Student Expense Budgets
Academic Year 2008-2009, Fall and Spring Semesters
| Undergraduates | TX Resident Semester | TX Resident Year | Non-resident Semester | Non-resident Year |
| Tuition & Fees (12 hrs – full time) | $ 2,550 | $ 5,100 | $ 5,850 | $ 11,700 |
| Room & Board | $ 4,250 | $ 8,500 | $ 4,250 | $ 8,500 |
| Books & Supplies | $ 500 | $ 1,000 | $ 500 | $ 1,000 |
| Travel | $ 750 | $ 1,500 | $ 1,500 | $ 3,000 |
| Personal Expenses | $ 750 | $ 1,500 | $ 750 | $ 1,500 |
| Total Costs | $ 8,800 | $ 17,600 | $ 12,850 | $ 25,700 |
Campus Life
Activities
Students at Prairie View A&M have many distinctive options to compliment their talents and skills. Its student organizations and strong academic programs remain some of the oldest and most respected in the nation. The Prairie View A&M University Charles Gilpin Players, founded in 1929, is Texas' oldest continually performing minority theatrical troupe.
- More than 90 student honor societies, clubs and other special-interest groups
- Over 90 percent of PVAMU students receive some form of financial aid including scholarships and grants
Athletics
PVAMU has strong intercollegiate athletic sports programs. Men's sports programs include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, tennis and track & field. Women's sports programs include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball. Athletic teams at the university are known as the Panthers and Lady Panthers. Prairie View A&M is a charter member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), and is a member of the Western Division of the SWAC. Prairie View A&M competes in NCAA FCS division in football and Division I in all other varsity sports.
| Established | 1876 |
| First classes held | 1878 |
| Fall 2008 enrollment | 7,912 |
| Number of faculty | 422 |
| Student/faculty ratio | 16:1 |
| Average class size | 18 |
| FY 2007 operating budget | $135M |
| Colors | Purple and gold |
| Mascot | Panther |
| Athletic affiliation | Southwestern Athletic Conference |
| University information: 1-877-PVAM30 (available 24 hours a day) · www.pvamu.edu |
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For more information, please contact:
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Prairie View A&M University Contact: Admissions –1-877-PVAM30 (available 24 hours a day) |
