Founded in 1876, it is one of Texas's two land-grant universities and the second oldest public institution of higher learning in the state.

In the article, the constitution stated that "Separate schools shall be provided for the white and colored children, and impartial provisions shall be made for both."

The legislation made Prairie A&M the first state supported institution of higher learning for African Americans in Texas.

It also requires removing language from the Institutional Mission Statement which might give the impression of excluding any Texan from attending Prairie View A&M University.

[12] In 2021, Prairie View A&M attained the R2 Carnegie Classification (Doctoral University; High Research Activity).

Prairie View A&M is one of only 11 HBCUs to be granted R2 status and one of only four Texas A&M University System members in this category.

[13][14] Prairie View A&M University offers academic programs through the following administrative units: Prairie View A&M established the Texas Undergraduate Medical Academy (UMA) in 2004 which is a highly selective and rigorous pre-medical program designed to uniquely prepare academically talented undergraduates for success in medical, dental, pharmacy, or veterinary school.

[18] UMA began due to a Texas legislative mandate in 2003 and is state funded with a mission to increase minority representation in the medical field and redress statewide healthcare professional shortages.

[19] Prairie View A&M established a highly selective honors program for academically exceptional undergraduates who meet the specified criteria.

[20] Prairie View A&M is consistently recognized as one of the top institutions in the country for producing the highest number of African-American architects and engineers by Diverse Issues in Higher Education.

[24] For 2023, U.S. News & World Report ranked Prairie View A&M #331-440 in National Universities, #154 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (tie), #169-227 in Top Public Schools, #26 in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (tie), #196-212 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs, and #293 in Nursing.

The library provides several services to assist students and is home to over 370,000 Volumes, including over 700 print periodicals, and close to 4,000 media materials.

[36] In 1998, American Campus Communities (ACC) was awarded the contract to develop, build, and manage a student housing property at PVAMU.

[43] PVAMU is home to over 150 honorary, professional, special interest, and Greek organizations established on campus.

[44][45] Prairie View A&M University offers a wide variety of varsity and intramural sports programs.

In summer 2016, Prairie View A&M completed the first phase of construction on its $60 million football stadium and athletic field house.

[47] Prior to a double header against the Texas Southern Tigers, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the renovated baseball stadium on April 26, 2014.

Some of the band accomplishments include performing at the Super Bowl XLV halftime show, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a U.S. presidential inauguration, the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Honda Battle of the Bands, the Houston Rodeo, the grand opening of the NRG Stadium, and at a 2004 Dallas Cowboys game with Destiny's Child.