National firm ranks NCTA among top 2 percent in U.S.

National firm ranks NCTA among top 2 percent in U.S.

Students approach Agriculture Hall at NCTA campus
Students approach Agriculture Hall at NCTA campus

August 25, 2016
By NCTA News Service                                   

Curtis, Neb. – The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture has been ranked ninth in the nation by a personal-finance website which measured colleges offering two-year academic programs.

In an analysis of 12 criteria evaluated by the firm, WalletHub, the University of Nebraska institution located at Curtis, Nebraska, was rated ninth out of 821 community colleges and two-year degree schools.

“We were pleased to receive word this week that NCTA has been recognized for the quality of its academic programs,” said Ron Rosati, NCTA dean. “It’s an honor to be ranked in the top 2 percent.”

WalletHub’s academic reviewers compared the 821 colleges on academic quality criteria such as graduation rate, student career outcomes, cost of in-state tuition, and student to faculty ratio.

“We are obviously very pleased to receive this recognition, especially since it comes after a string of other faculty and student awards received this past year,” Rosati noted.

During 2015-2016, those achievements included:

  • The 14 faculty at NCTA received 10 awards for teaching excellence;
  • Nine student teams earned Top 10 finishes in national academic competitions;
  • The Veterinary Technology program was reaccredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association;
  • NCTA was also reaccredited with high marks by the Higher Learning Commission; and
  • The college was ranked among the nation’s 150 best two-year colleges by the Aspen Institute.

“I believe these rankings are due to the skill and dedication of the college’s outstanding faculty and staff, as well as the passion and hard work of our students,” Rosati added. “It has been a real honor for me to serve at NCTA with these quality individuals.”

As part of the University of Nebraska system, NCTA has a unique mission in statewide delivery of academic programs emphasizing technical agriculture and workforce development.

Five academic divisions include animal science and agricultural education; agronomy, agricultural mechanics and irrigation technology; agribusiness management systems; general studies; and veterinary technology. 

NCTA also offers international programs, dual credit courses for high schools, academic transfer programs for bachelor degrees, and on-line courses. See ncta.unl.edu or phone 1-800-3-CURTIS for details.

More information from the Wallethub.com report can be found at: http://bit.ly/1Tw52ml or hear the Dean’s recent radio interview at https://go.unl.edu/hhwd. 

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