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As Texas A&M University-San Antonio continues to grow, so does the range of opportunities available to students seeking an affordable education close to home.
The University’s Fall 2026 enrollment reached 7,697 students, including its largest-ever first-time-in-college cohort of 1,322 students. At the same time, the University is expanding its academic offerings to prepare students for careers in some of the region’s fastest-growing fields, from healthcare and engineering to cybersecurity, education and the life sciences.
That growth is taking place alongside a focus on keeping a college education within reach for local families.
“Texas A&M University-San Antonio is growing in ways that reflect the needs and aspirations of the communities we serve,” said President Salvador Hector Ochoa. “We are expanding our academic programs, strengthening our research enterprise and creating new pathways into high-demand fields, while remaining deeply committed to affordability and access.”
Expanding programs for a changing workforce
A&M-San Antonio now boasts 39 undergraduate and 24 graduate degree programs, building an academic portfolio designed to meet regional workforce needs.
The University launched its first doctoral program, the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, in Fall 2026. The fully online program is designed for working educators and prepares graduates for leadership roles such as principals, superintendents and curriculum directors. Specialized tracks in bilingual, special and early childhood education are planned as the program develops.
The University also offers graduate degrees in cybersecurity, psychology, instructional leadership, applied behavior analysis and criminology and criminal justice, along with an accelerated 11-month Master of Business Administration.
At the undergraduate level, recent additions include bachelor’s degrees in chemistry, applied behavior analysis and human services.
And more programs are on the horizon. A&M-San Antonio will launch a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences in Fall 2027, followed by planned programs in electrical engineering, healthcare administration and management, computer engineering, and construction engineering technology in subsequent years.
“Our academic growth is intentional and closely connected to the opportunities emerging across San Antonio and South Texas,” said Debra Feakes, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. “As we add programs in areas such as biomedical sciences, chemistry and engineering, we are creating more pathways for students to explore their interests while developing the knowledge and skills that employers and communities need.”
The expansion is supported by new academic infrastructure. The University recently opened its $55 million Public Health and Education Building, which includes specialized laboratories and learning spaces supporting health, science and education programs.
The growth comes as the University also expands its research activity. A&M-San Antonio more than doubled its research grant funding, from $3.6 million in fiscal year 2025 to approximately $8 million in fiscal year 2026, as it works toward becoming an R2 research institution.
Making affordability part of the equation
For many families, however, the first question about a college degree isn’t what they can study. It’s whether they can afford it.
Affordability is particularly significant at A&M-San Antonio, where 60% of students are eligible for Pell Grants. The University’s Jaguar Promise program is one way A&M-San Antonio is addressing that challenge.
Available to Texas residents, including transfer students and adult learners, Jaguar Promise is a last-dollar scholarship program that covers the remaining cost of tuition and mandatory fees after federal, state and institutional financial aid is applied. Eligible students also receive a $300-per-semester book stipend.
The program has seen significant growth. The number of first-year students using Jaguar Promise increased 21% compared with last year. Among those students, participation increased 48% among Early College High School graduates and 9% among students graduating in the top 10% to 35% of their high school class.
“Affordability is fundamental to our mission because we know that the cost of college can shape whether a student is able to enroll and graduate,” said Brandy McLelland, vice president for enrollment management. “The growth we are seeing in Jaguar Promise participation tells us that students and families are recognizing the opportunity it provides to pursue a college degree with less financial burden. It’s all part of our broader strategy to expand access while keeping the cost of attendance manageable.”
A university growing with San Antonio
The students arriving at A&M-San Antonio increasingly reflect the communities surrounding the University. In Fall 2026, 65% of undergraduate students and 66% of graduate students identified as Hispanic. About 75% of all students came from Bexar County, while 98.6% were from Texas.
The University’s growth also extends beyond enrollment. Student credit hours increased to 86,118 for Fall 2026, up from 84,568 the previous fall. The increase reflects continued growth in both the number of students attending the University and the courses in which they are enrolled.
For a University founded just 17 years ago, the changes represent a significant evolution — from a young institution focused primarily on undergraduate education to a comprehensive university adding graduate and doctoral programs, expanding research and developing academic pathways aligned with San Antonio’s future workforce.
A&M-San Antonio believes students should have access to programs that prepare them for the future without having to leave the region, and without tuition and fees standing in the way of realizing their dreams. As A&M-San Antonio continues to expand, the University is working hard to ensure that academic opportunity and affordability also grow together.
