N.C. A&T has been recognized as having the nation’s second most affordable online bachelor’s degree in agriculture education, according to the higher education rankings website affordableschools.net.

The bachelor’s degree, offered by the Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education, has two online specializations: secondary education and professional service.

The ranking considered such factors as the average cost of attendance, student-faculty ratio and graduation rates.

“Now more than ever, it is critical that prospective students make rational financial choices when selecting an academic program,” said Kenrett Jefferson-Moore, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education.

“We are fortunate to offer an online agricultural education program that is not only affordable, but also provides the quality that students so richly deserve.”

Affordable Schools ranks the affordability of various degree-granting programs at high-quality colleges and universities nationwide and is a well-known resource for prospective students.

The ranking placed N.C. A&T second only to the University of Florida, and ahead of such prominent agriculture colleges as the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Iowa State University and Texas Tech University.

The department’s faculty are pleased by the recognition.

“We intentionally provide our students a holistic and student-centered online learning experience at an affordable price,” said Chastity English, associate professor and program coordinator for agriscience education. “We are extremely excited to be ranked number two in the nation.”