Academics
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is the largest HBCU in the U.S. and one of the most diverse, with students from six continents and almost every state in the country. The school, a leading research university in the Southeast, prides itself on its preeminence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and it produces more African American engineers and agricultural scientists than any university in the nation. Students (“Aggies”) have a diverse range of 100+ major subjects to choose from, ranging from Automotive Engineering Technology and Geomatics (the study of geographic data) to Professional Theater and Construction Management. Liberal Arts and Mass Communication and Media Studies are among the most popular undergraduate degrees awarded. Students can earn their bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees at N.C. A&T. The N.C. A&T ethos places great importance on providing each student with rich educational experiences unique to his or her needs. The popular Study Abroad program offers various options for immersion into foreign cultures. In addition, the Honors Program meets the needs of gifted students by providing appropriate accommodations, such as smaller classes and special mentorship programs. The school also offers many online degree opportunities for those for whom traditional brick-and-mortar college is infeasible or inconvenient.
Career
N.C. A&T is a bustling urban campus; most students attend full time, and of those, a substantial number choose to live on campus. The numerous amenities may have something to do with that, especially for those into sports and recreation who can make use of a swimming pool, tennis courts, indoor track, and the extensive Campus Recreation Center gymnasium facilities. Those looking to just hang out and relax tend to fill up the Student Center’s Aggie Wings Café, reputed to serve “the greatest wings on Earth.” And with over 150 student clubs, organizations, and Greek life to choose from, there’s always something to partake in, whether it’s a screening with the Anime Aggies, a game with the Chess Club, or the whimsical sketch comedy of Aggie Night Live. Those seeking more serious activities will find the N.C. A&T community is seriously committed to social justice, from the local NAACP chapter to the National Council of Negro Women and Black Girls Vote. And with many popular Greensboro attractions located only a few miles away from campus, students also receive the benefits of a culturally rich urban center. Aggies may spend their leisure hours enjoying an exotic animal exhibit at the Greensboro Science Center or touring the renowned International Civil Rights Museum.
Culture
Common career paths for graduates include engineering, agriculture, nursing, journalism, and accounting, and the school is known for producing a high percentage of the nation’s Black professionals in these fields. According to Payscale.com, on average, N.C. AT&T graduates earn a base annual salary of $75,000. The Reverend Jesse Jackson, the famed civil rights activist and first major Black presidential candidate, is among the most prominent N.C. A&T graduates. Other notable alumni include Kevin Wilson, Jr., an Oscar-nominated filmmaker, and Dr. Ronald McNair, a NASA astronaut who orbited the earth in the Space Shuttle Challenger.