
700 University Drive P.O. Box 519, Prairie View, TX 77446, USA


Prairie View A & M University provides a range of athletic programs participating mainly in NCAA Division I as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The university supports men's and women's sports, including football, basketball, track and field, cross country, and tennis, offering student-athletes diverse opportunities to compete at a high level.
The football program is a notable part of the athletic department and competes within the SWAC West Division, drawing strong regional interest. Both men's and women's basketball teams participate in conference play, with regular seasons culminating in postseason tournaments that showcase the talents of their athletes.
Track and field and cross country programs emphasize developing athletes' speed, endurance, and technique, with opportunities to compete in various meets throughout the season. The tennis teams also compete within the conference, helping to grow an array of competitive sports outside of the more mainstream options.
Athletics at Prairie View A & M not only aim to foster competitive success but also emphasize academic achievement and personal development for student-athletes, combining rigorous training with support systems geared towards balancing sports and studies.
Prairie View A & M University offers a range of student organizations catering to diverse interests and leadership development. Among the notable groups are the Student Government Association, which provides a platform for student representation and advocacy, and the Campus Activities Board, focused on organizing campus events and fostering community engagement.
Students interested in cultural and professional development can join the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, supporting civil rights and social justice initiatives, or the National Society of Black Engineers, which promotes academic excellence and career readiness in engineering fields. Additionally, Peer Advisors to Leadership Students serve as mentors and support systems for leadership development across the campus community.
Prairie View A & M University enrolls a notably large freshman class, with 2,112 new students this year, placing it in the top 25% of institutions for freshman enrollment size. Transfer student numbers are moderate, with 591 transfers representing a middle-range figure compared to peer schools. Overall, the university's total new student intake reaches 2,703, ranking in the top 30% nationally.
The student body predominantly consists of in-state residents, comprising 88% of the population, a figure that is notably high and in the top 25% among universities. Conversely, out-of-state students make up just 11%, which is relatively low and places Prairie View A & M University in the bottom 25% for geographic diversity among its student population. Nearly all students are from within the United States, accounting for 99%, marking a strong domestic representation that ranks in the top 30% nationally. International students hail from a limited number of countries, reflecting modest global diversity.
The age distribution reveals that the majority of undergraduates fall into traditional college-age brackets, with 3,366 students aged 18-19 and 2,817 aged 20-21. There are also significant numbers in the 22-24 age range. Graduate students tend to be older, with most between 22 and 49 years old, including 223 in the 25-29 range and 173 in their 40s. While the university serves a predominantly young adult demographic, it also attracts a varied age range, spanning some mature students above 65.
Regarding racial and ethnic composition, the university shows a very high representation of African American students, totaling 7,517, which places it in the top 5% nationally-a defining feature of its student body. Hispanic students number 664, placing them near the median range among institutions. Students identifying as White represent a smaller portion of the population at 99, ranking towards the lower end nationally. Other racial groups, including Native American, Asian, Pacific Islander, and multiracial students, maintain average representation levels, each comprising small segments of the overall enrollment. A portion of the student population is classified under unknown or two or more races categories, indicating some diversity not fully captured by single-race categories.
Student life at Prairie View A & M University offers a variety of cultural and extracurricular activities that enrich the campus experience. The university supports a vibrant campus environment with opportunities including theater productions, a campus newspaper, a radio station, a band, and a chorus. While there is no campus TV station, students have access to multiple creative outlets that foster community and expression.
The campus provides several support services aimed at enhancing student well-being. These services include a health clinic, psychological counseling, a veterans affairs office, and a center dedicated to women, demonstrating a commitment to diverse student needs and wellness.
Athletics also play a role in student life, as the university participates in both NCAA and NAIA athletic associations. This involvement offers students the chance to engage with collegiate sports in various capacities, whether as athletes or spectators.
Prairie View A & M University offers students access to four libraries, placing the institution within the top 20% nationwide for the number of libraries available. The main facility is the John B. Coleman Library, supported by three additional libraries that also contribute to the university's strong library presence.
The libraries provide a variety of physical and digital resources, including study rooms that accommodate individual and group work. Service hours total 97 weekly, and the libraries maintain established operating schedules with trained staff to assist students. While the libraries do not offer all-day access, they do grant entry to shared collection resources, enhancing the breadth of materials accessible to students. Both physical facilities and digital access are firmly supported, ensuring that students can utilize library resources on campus and remotely.
Total enrollment
9821Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
2027Member of Athletic Associations
Data not availableTotal staff
455 full time, 98 part timeVeterans affair office
YesMain library name
John B. Coleman LibraryNumber of libraries on campus
4Reservable study rooms in library
Yes24h access
NoPhysical facilities
YesAccess to digital/electronic resources
YesStaff trained to provide and interpret library materials
YesEstablished library hours
YesAccess to library collections that are shared with other institutions
Yes