U.S. News & World Report: N.C. A&T One of Nation’s 25 “Most Innovative” Universities

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Sept. 18, 2023) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s ascent continues this fall in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges 2024” issue, which recognized it as one of the 25 “most innovative” universities in America.

The widely referenced annual guide to America’s leading higher education institutions, released today, also saw N.C. A&T move significantly higher across a range of categories: Undergraduate Business Programs (up 55 positions), National Universities (up 18), Undergraduate Engineering Programs (up 15), Top Public Universities (up 4) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBUs) (up 2).

But the Most Innovative ranking, which saw A&T move up by 27 positions to a tie for No. 25, stands out. At its new position, A&T is tied with the University of California, Los Angeles, Virginia Tech, Florida International University, University of California, Riverside and Stevens Institute of Technology. A&T is the highest-ranked HBCU and University of North Carolina System member on the list.

The ranking is based on a survey of college and university presidents, chief academic officers and admissions deans who were asked to nominate up to 15 campuses that are “making the most innovative improvements in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology or facilities.”

“Under a series of three strategic plans over the past 12 years, North Carolina A&T has focused intensively on changes to our academic core, from a complete restructuring of our colleges, schools and programs to the launch of our Honors College,” said Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr. “It’s gratifying to see those changes recognized and appreciated by the senior-most leaders in higher education, and even more so, by the 40,000 students who sought admission to our university this year.”

Other notable trends in the “Best Colleges 2024” issue:

• A&T moved up 18 spots to No. 280 (tied) in the National Universities category, which ranks 434 campuses across the country. It also landed at No. 151 on the Public Schools list.
• A&T’s nationally prominent undergraduate engineering programs moved up 15 positions to No. 135. A&T is America’s top producer of African American engineers.
• On the top HBCUs list, A&T moved up two spots to No. 7 (tied). It is the top-ranked HBCU in North Carolina, and the second-highest ranked public HBCU in America, with Florida A&M University coming in at No. 3.
• A&T’s undergraduate computer science program emerged in the numerical rankings tied at No. 249 along with the university’s undergraduate psychology programs, tied at No. 292.

The U.S. News rankings round out this year’s most prominent college rankings. In June, Money magazine ranked A&T the nation’s most affordable doctoral research university. Earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal ranked A&T among the top five members of the UNC System while also noting its exceptional affordability.