North Carolina A&T State University: The Nation’s Premier Public HBCU
Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (North Carolina A&T) stands as a towering pillar of educational excellence, social justice, and economic mobility. As the **largest historically Black university (HBCU) in the United States** for 12 consecutive years, A&T has transformed from a modest agricultural college into a world-class doctoral research institution that shapes leaders and drives innovation.
A Legacy Forged in the Second Morrill Act
A&T’s story began in 1891, when it was established under the Second Morrill Act of 1890 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College for the Colored Race. This landmark legislation expanded the nation’s land-grant university system to include historically Black institutions in states where segregation denied minorities access to the original land-grant colleges. The institution awarded its first degrees in 1899 and underwent several name changes before becoming North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in 1967. Since 1972, it has been a constituent campus of the University of North Carolina System. Buy fake USA diploma online.
The university’s role in the civil rights movement is etched into American history. On February 1, 1960, four A&T freshmen—Ezell Blair Jr. (now Jibreel Khazan), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond—staged the first sit-in at a segregated Woolworth lunch counter in downtown Greensboro. This courageous act ignited a wave of nonviolent protests across the South and became a defining moment in the struggle for racial equality.
Academic Excellence Across Nine Colleges
Today, A&T offers a comprehensive array of academic programs through nine colleges and two schools, conferring 61 bachelor’s, 35 master’s, and 14 doctoral degrees. The university’s academic structure includes the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences; College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics; College of Education; College of Engineering; John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences; College of Science and Technology; The Graduate College; and the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering.
North Carolina A&T Diploma Global Career Value
A&T is nationally recognized as a top producer of African American engineers, agriculture graduates, and certified public accountants. The College of Engineering offers ten Bachelor of Science, eight Master of Science, and five doctoral programs across departments including Chemical, Biological, and Bio-Engineering; Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering; Computer Science; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Industrial and Systems Engineering; and Mechanical Engineering. In a bold response to industry demand, the university recently launched a new Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics degree program.
Record-Breaking Enrollment and National Rankings
In Fall 2025, A&T shattered its own enrollment records with 15,275 students—a 6.7% increase over the previous year. This historic milestone made A&T the first HBCU in the nation to surpass 15,000 students. The university now draws students from 92 of North Carolina’s 100 counties, 48 U.S. states, and 98 foreign nations. The freshman class of 3,031 students entered with an average GPA of 3.73， while the university’s retention rate reached an all-time high of 81%.
A&T’s excellence has earned widespread recognition. U.S. News & World Report ranks it among the nation’s top 25 “most innovative” universities, and Money magazine has named it the No. 1 doctoral research university in America for affordability. The Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics is ranked the No. 1 graduate business school among HBCUs. Forbes estimates that A&T graduates earn a median salary of $112,000 a decade after graduation.
A Research Powerhouse on the Brink of R1 Status
A&T is currently classified as an **R2: High Research Activity** institution by the Carnegie Classification, but it is on the cusp of achieving the elite **R1: Very High Research Activity** designation. Chancellor James R. Martin II, who began his term in August 2024, announced that the university has already met all the criteria—surpassing $50 million in annual research expenditures and awarding more than 70 research doctorates per year. A&T is expected to receive its official R1 designation in 2028, which would make it only the second HBCU in the nation—and the sixth university in North Carolina—to achieve this distinction. The university has secured nearly $350 million in sponsored research over the last three years.
Vibrant Campus Life and Athletic Tradition
A&T competes in **NCAA Division I** as a member of the Coastal Athletic Association. The Aggies field 17 intercollegiate teams, with football and basketball drawing passionate support from students and alumni alike. Campus life is enriched by over 150 student organizations, a vibrant Greek community, and intramural sports. The university’s main campus in East Greensboro is complemented by the Union Square Health Sciences Campus, Gateway Research Park, and the University Farm.
A Legacy of Leadership
A&T’s alumni network of 75,000 living graduates includes civil rights icon the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., former N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Henry E. Frye, retired U.S. Congressman Edolphus Towns, retired Army Brig. Gen. Clara Adams-Ender, former NBA player and executive Alvin Attles, Pro Football Hall of Famer Elvin Bethea, and the late astronaut Dr. Ronald E. McNair.
From its founding as a small agricultural college to its current status as the nation’s largest and most impactful public HBCU, North Carolina A&T State University remains steadfast in its land-grant mission: to advance knowledge, transform society, and create innovative solutions for the challenges of North Carolina, the nation, and the world.