Texas A&M Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering ranked No. 1 in nation
Department tops U.S. News & World Report rankings for 2025
The Texas A&M Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering shared the No. 1 ranking among undergraduate programs in the United States, according to the U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” list for 2025.
The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering is part of both the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University. The department jumped two spots from its No. 3 ranking in 2024.
Patricia Smith, Ph.D., head of the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, said the top ranking is a milestone faculty, staff and students should celebrate.
Smith said the ranking reflects a collective commitment to excellence and the daily efforts of everyone in the department.
“We’re very excited about being named a national leader,” Smith said. “Our department is energized by the news, and it engenders a desire to stay on top and reach for even better opportunities and outcomes for our students, faculty and staff.”
Building relationships, developing students
Jeffrey W. Savell, Ph.D., vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences, said the improved ranking highlights the department’s dedication.
“It’s a proud moment for the College to have a department reach the top national ranking,” he said. “It’s also noteworthy because the department bridges so much of what we do across agriculture and the life sciences. Many faculty within our other departments collaborate with Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering faculty and students to provide innovative solutions to so many challenges that link directly to the economy, the environment and our quality of life.”
Smith said the ranking validates the department’s strategic plan over the past year. The department has prioritized engaging stakeholders, industry and federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to secure innovative opportunities for faculty and students.
There has also been a concerted effort to involve students in networking, educational and competitive activities, including through the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, an international professional organization devoted to the field.
“We’ve put a lot of effort into building relationships,” Smith said. “That includes engaging with stakeholders to identify and serve their needs across industries and emerging technologies. At the same time, we’ve found ways to connect with students to improve their development and prepare them for a career in their chosen field.”
About U.S. News & World Report rankings
U.S. News publishes the Best Colleges rankings each year to provide prospective students and their families with the comparative merits of the undergraduate programs at America’s colleges and universities.
The rankings offer detailed information about the institutions and data on factors such as outcome measures — including graduation rates, graduate indebtedness and post-graduate earnings.
Data for these rankings comes from statistical surveys of more than 1,500 institutions across the U.S. The ranking methodology looks at up to 17 measures, including academic quality, the return on investment, earnings, debt, Pell recipients and first-generation students, according to the U.S. News data team.
