EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Sept. 18, 2023) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University continued to climb the ranks this fall in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges 2024” issue, earning recognition as one of the 25 “Most Innovative” colleges and universities in America.
In the widely referenced annual guide to America’s leading higher education institutions released today, N.C. A&T made significant ranking gains in a variety of categories: undergraduate business programs (up 55 places), national universities (up 18 places), undergraduate engineering programs (up 15 places), top public universities (up four places) and historically black colleges and universities (HBUs) (up two places).
But in the most innovative rankings, A&T stands out, rising 27 places to a tie for 25th place. With its new ranking, A&T is tied with UCLA, Virginia Tech, Florida International University, UC Riverside and Stevens Institute of Technology. A&T is the highest-ranked HBCU and member of the University of North Carolina System on the list.
The rankings are based on a survey of college and university presidents, chief academic officers and deans of admissions, who were asked to nominate up to 15 campuses that are “making the most innovative improvements in curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology and facilities.”
“Over the past 12 years and under three strategic plans, North Carolina A&T University has focused on transforming its academic core, from a comprehensive restructuring of our colleges, departments and programs to the launch of the Honors College,” said President Harold L. Martin Sr. “We are gratified that these reforms have been recognized and appreciated by the highest leadership in higher education, as well as the 40,000 students who applied to attend the University this year.”
Other notable trends in the Best Colleges 2024 issue:
A&T rose 18 places to 280th (tie) in the National Universities category, which ranks 434 campuses nationwide. It also placed 151st on the public schools list. A&T's nationally renowned undergraduate engineering program rose 15 places to 135th. A&T is the university that produces the most African-American engineers in the nation. On the Top HBCUs list, A&T rose two places to 7th (tie). It is the top-ranked HBCU in North Carolina and the second-highest-ranked public HBCU in the nation, with Florida A&M University at third. A&T's undergraduate computer science program rose to 249th (tie) in the numerical rankings, along with the university's undergraduate psychology program, which placed 292nd.
The U.S. News ranking marks the end of this year's most prominent college rankings. In June, Money magazine ranked A&T the most affordable doctoral research university in the nation. Earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal ranked A&T as a top five member of the UNC system, also noting its exceptional affordability.
