Texas A&M University (Texas A&M, TAMU /ˈtæmuː/, or A&M) is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas, United States. It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System, the fourth-largest university in the United States and the largest university in Texas. The university enjoys a strong athletic program and fan following, known as the twelfth man, and is a member of the Southeastern Conference. It is consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the United States; most notably, its engineering school ranks in the top 10 of public schools. Texas A&M's designation as a land, sea, and space grant institution reflects a range of research with ongoing projects funded by agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administra