Percussion in marching band in college takes extra time, esp because they often are also in pep band and multiple sport coverage. Yes at TAMU all the band is in corps (men and women, majority men).
My DD is engineering major and does play in college marching band and concert band, but on wind instrument. She takes those two music for credit (1 credit each), concert band both semesters - and the grade gives her GPA a little boost. Probably will only do marching first two fall semesters, because it takes a lot of time and energy. Desire is to finish in four. Came in with AP for english and history, so that helped.
Many college marching band programs are VERY competitive. DD plays at a very high level musically. Did one week of summer band at the college (first chair on her instrument, and they said they wanted her for their marching and concert bands) - had scholarship for both concert and marching. Still had to go through all the process to be selected as part of the roster after rookie marching.
However if a student can balance the percussion activities and keep up well on the engineering…some of the best students do keep up music and some band activities.
I do know a few students who he started either as a double major or music minor. It really depends on the school. For my DD, she can continue to play and improve on her instrument with the concert band (and some schools or musical instruments may require a private lesson with professor - and that will require a lot of practice time in the week). Her engineering curriculum is enough.
The band is great for socializing.