Texas A&M University's Phenomenal Rise: From 80th to the Top 25 Law Schools in the U.S.
Even Cinderella would be envious of Texas A&M University’s Law School’s ascent on the academic ladder. Just a few short years ago, it struggled to find its place in the U.S. News & World Report—unranked and overlooked. Yet, here stands Texas A&M, proudly ranked No. 22 among U.S. law schools in 2025.
A Decade of Transformation
In 2013, Texas A&M University System boldly acquired Texas Wesleyan University’s floundering law school, setting the stage for a fairy tale transformation. According to Fort Worth Report, under the visionary leadership of Robert Ahdieh—who took the helm in 2018 while the school sat in the 80th position—the school has surpassed expectations. Within a strikingly short span, Ahdieh has turned skepticism into admiration. “If you’d told me we’d be a top 25 law school, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Ahdieh confessed.
Driving Forces Behind Success
What propels Texas A&M Law forward beyond the confines of Fort Worth? Chancellor John Sharp set his sights firmly on greatness from the start. His acquisition strategy wasn’t just about having a law school; it was about creating a beacon of potential.
A series of strategic faculty hires boosted the institution’s credibility. With professors from renowned schools like Duke University, Texas A&M Law not only increased its staff from 30 to nearly 80 but also elevated the educational experience it provides. Ahdieh often emphasizes the school’s hands-on approach to learning, which culminates in its unparalleled bar passage success and full post-graduation employment rates.
Expanding Horizons and Collaborations
The law school’s expansion goes hand-in-hand with developing cutting-edge facilities. The new Law and Education Building, an architectural marvel in Fort Worth’s urban campus, embodies an integration of law with other disciplines like engineering and technology. Scheduled to open its doors in 2026, this modern hub of learning promises to be fertile ground for burgeoning legal minds.
The establishment of specialized programs, such as the Aggie Dispute Resolution and the Center for Law and Intellectual Property, further solidifies the school’s reputation. With these initiatives, Texas A&M leads in providing specialized legal expertise.
Looking Ahead
Despite trailing behind the University of Texas School of Law, ranked No. 14, Texas A&M isn’t looking at close neighbors for competition. Instead, it’s casting a wider net for benchmarks, aiming to rival California’s law schools that dominate the nation’s top 20. “If Texas is a serious national player, high-quality legal education is vital,” says Ahdieh, who dreams of witnessing not just Texas A&M, but other Texas institutions make this leap.
The journey from ‘whisper’ to ‘roar’ is one of triumph and visionary leadership, taking Texas A&M from an underdog to an inspiring success story. As Chancellor Sharp approaches retirement, the legacy of his ambition will resonate through the walls of Texas A&M Law and beyond.
