By Todd Simmons
In the fast-growing world of online learning in higher education, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University stands out with eight degree programs newly ranked among the best in America â including two in the top 12 in their respective disciplines.
Released today, U.S. News & World Reportâs âBest Online Programsâ rankings evaluated more than 1,600 online bachelorâs and masterâs programs using metrics specific to online learning. This is the widely followed magazineâs 12th year in ranking online programs.
In every category in which North Carolina A&T secured a ranking, it is the most highly ranked historically Black college or university (HBCU) in America. A&T remains the largest HBCU in the United States for a 10th consecutive year.
âIn the highly competitive online education space, universities nationwide are rapidly expanding their programs,â said Tonya Amankwatia, Ph.D., head of A&Tâs Extended Campus and assistant vice provost for Distance Education and Extended Learning. âAt A&T, we view this landscape as a prime pathway for serving learners not just across North Carolina but also nationwide, granting them access to the high-quality, affordable programs crucial to meet their career aspirations and fostering lifelong learning and professional development.â
A&T masterâs programs in information technology scored higher than all other A&T programs, coming in at No. 8 in such programs for veterans and No. 11 in IT programs overall. In the veterans category, A&T shows up alongside the University of Southern California (No. 7) and the University of Massachusetts-Lowell (No. 9). In the overall IT masterâs rankings, A&T moved up one position to finish ahead of the Stevens Institute of Technology and West Virginia University.
Three more veterans programs earned Top 50 rankings at A&T: the masterâs in education, No. 18; bachelorâs degrees overall, No. 35; and MBA, No. 46. The MBA for veterans jumped 10 positions from last yearâs ranking.
In bachelorâs degrees overall, A&T moved up five positions to a tie at No. 50, bringing to six the number of A&T programs landing in the top 50.
Rounding out its numerical rankings, A&Tâs masterâs in education ranked No. 58, while the MBA program tied with seven other programs at No. 66 on the strength of a 19-position jump from last year.