North Carolina A&T State University

Greensboro, NC · founded 1891 · 13,000 students · hbcu · Coastal Athletic Association (CAA)

Known for: North Carolina A&T is the nation's largest historically black university (HBCU), a top producer of African-American engineers, and a leader in agricultural research.

Rankings

U.S. News national: #227

Top programmes

Engineering
Agriculture
Business
Nursing
Computer Science
Journalism

Notable alumni

Jesse Jackson — Civil rights leader and politician
Ronald McNair — NASA astronaut who died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
Janice Bryant Howroyd — Founder and CEO of ActOne Group, the largest privately-held, minority-woman-owned personnel agency in the U.S.
Taraji P. Henson — Academy Award-nominated actress
Elvin Bethea — Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end for the Houston Oilers
Dwaine B. Perry — Principal Chief of the Ramapough Lenape Nation
Al Attles — NBA Hall of Famer and former player/coach for the Golden State Warriors

Traditions

Homecoming and the 'G' Roar
Aggie football games at Truist Stadium
The Blue and Gold Marching Machine performances
Chancellor's Annual State of the University Address
Founders Day Celebration

If North Carolina A&T State University were…

As a food: North Carolina whole-hog barbecue — Regional pride, slow-cooked excellence, and a product of innovation within tradition. A&T is deeply rooted in the Carolinas, committed to craft, and produces results that stand up to anyone.
As an athlete: Stephen Curry — Underestimated, fundamentally sound, and a game-changer who redefined expectations. A&T flies under the radar nationally but produces engineers and innovators who reshape industries.
As a person alive today: Neil deGrasse Tyson — STEM communicator, proud of his roots, and committed to making science accessible and exciting. A&T is all about democratizing engineering and technology for Black students who'll lead the next generation.
As a historical figure: George Washington Carver — Agricultural scientist and inventor who transformed Southern industry through innovation and education. A&T's legacy in ag and engineering carries that same spirit of practical, world-changing research.
As a movie or TV show: Hidden Figures — Black engineers and scientists doing groundbreaking work at NASA while fighting for recognition. A&T produces the engineers who are still doing that work, and the school's NASA partnerships are legendary.
As a US president: Dwight D. Eisenhower — Builder of infrastructure, champion of science and engineering (Interstate System, NASA), and a pragmatic leader. A&T is about building things that work and training the people who'll build the future.
As a city: Charlotte — New South hub—banking, tech, infrastructure—where ambition and growth define the culture. A&T grads flood Charlotte's corporate offices and engineering firms, repping that Aggie Pride and building the region.
As an element: Iron — Strong, essential to construction and industry, and the backbone of modern infrastructure. A&T is the workhorse HBCU—training the engineers who literally build America.
As a car: 2024 Rivian R1T — North Carolina A&T channels the electric truck startup energy—STEM innovation meets community-rooted grit, engineering excellence with purpose, and a legacy of building practical solutions that break new ground while sta

Campus life

NC A&T has a dynamic campus life known for its strong school spirit, active student government, and prominent Greek organizations. The 'Aggie Pride' is palpable, especially during homecoming and major sporting events.

The film, scored

This profile answers “if North Carolina A&T State University were a movie or TV show?” with Hidden Figures (2016). Black engineers and scientists doing groundbreaking work at NASA while fighting for recognition. A&T produces the engineers who are still doing that work, and the school's NASA partnerships are legendary. It sits in the 92nd percentile on rankquant, which re-centres every critic score on the reviewer who gave it, so a percentile means position against peers rather than a raw star average. The full film & TV catalogue ranks the rest the same way.