St. Andrews has long been considered that hidden gem of Southeastern colleges. Today is no exception. Over the years, as St. Andrews has adapted to the times and the needs of each generation, the recognitions have changed, but people with keen eyes, looking directly at the value of the education and experience, continue to find St. Andrews noteworthy.
Best Value MBA Program in North Carolina
Of all the MBA programs in North Carolina, St. Andrews made the 2021 list of the top 14 best values. Best Value Schools (bestvalueschools.org) takes the highest quality colleges and ranks them with consideration to cost. Rankings are first based on multiple factors including student-to-faculty ratio, student resources, total enrollment, and graduation rate. Consideration is also given to availability of online programs for the flexibility students today prefer. St. Andrews, with a tuition of $27,946 ranked a better value than Wake Forest (tuition $55,440), UNC Greensboro ($22,490), and UNC Chapel Hill ($66,270).
The name says it all. The Best Master’s Degrees (bestmastersdegrees.com) reviews Master’s Degree programs. Recognizing our college history dating back to 1896 and our Presbyterian affiliation, their current profile of St. Andrews reads like a valentine. Praise includes “One thing that sets this program apart from other online MBA programs is that it emphasizes participation and practical learning. Students must work on a consulting project before they graduate, which gives them experience working with actual clients.” The Best Master’s Degrees also recognizes some of our cutting-edge programs, “Innovation, New Products & Services & E-Commerce is a newer course exclusive to the university. It focuses on the ways in which businesses now operate online and teaches students how to identify the needs of online shoppers. The two practicums in this program help students gain consulting experience.”
They also appreciate flexibility in the St. Andrews Master’s Degree programs. Students can start at the beginning of the fall, winter, spring or summer session. They also have the option to work through the summer and complete their MBA in 18 months of full-time work. Students first entering college now have a fast-track option with St. Andrews in which they can earn their BA in four years and their Master’s in one more year. Real-time, on-line class attendance is also available.
They further praise how St. Andrews handles admissions differently. “Unlike other Master of Business Administration programs that only accept students with a business background, St. Andrews University offers an MBA program designed for all types of students. Students must show that they took some prerequisites in college, including courses in financial accounting, business statistics and microeconomics. Those who need to take these classes can take them from the university. SAU even allows students to take their prerequisites at the same time that they take some MBA courses.” Looking at students not as checklists, but, instead, appreciating them as individuals. How very St. Andrews.
2021 Best Value College in North Carolina
Of the 179 colleges in North Carolina, St. Andrews made the 2021 list of best value colleges by Best Value Schools (bestvalueschools.org). The ranking of North Carolina’s 43 best values even pitted universities against community colleges. St. Andrews ranks #31 with a cost of $335 per credit hour. Wake Forest made #36 at $900 per credit hour, followed by High Point University at #39 charging $955 per credit hour. William Peace University ranked #32, followed closely by Elizabeth City State University at #33.
So Much More Than a Diploma: St. Andrews University Equestrian Studies
In this January 2021 article, The Plaid Horse’s Lauren Mauldin writes, “Still, there are some institutions that maintain excellence through generations. Institutions that know how to create opportunities for their students, and expertly weave riding into a solid education. Since 1961, St. Andrews University in Laurinburg, NC, has been fostering an environment of excellence both in the barn and classroom.” Read the full article.
2021 NAIA Champions of Character
St. Andrews has been named among the NAIA Champions of Character. Institutions are measured on a demonstrated commitment to Champions of Character and earned points in character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition and character promotion. Institutions earned points based on exceptional student-athlete grade point averages and by having minimal to no ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year. During the 2020-21 academic year St. Andrews athletics and its student-athletes spent the year doing several charitable campaigns. The Knights held a canned food drive, participated in Toys for Tots, and the football team participated in BLM sponsored campaigns throughout the school year.
2021 Best Online Colleges in North Carolina
North Carolina enjoys one of the nation’s largest state university systems as well as many private colleges and universities that offer online degrees. Among these, St. Andrews made the 2021 list of the top 20 colleges. The Best Schools (thebestschools.org) selected the online schools in North Carolina based on the quality of their programs, types of courses and degrees offered, and faculty strengths, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation, including a strong reputation for online degree programs. St. Andrews’ multi-disciplinary online program offers bachelor’s degree programs in business administration, education, psychology, general business studies, and interdisciplinary studies. Education majors can choose from three tracks: elementary, middle grades, and special education.
2021 Best Online Video Game Design School Nationwide
St. Andrews was ranked #18 in the nation for best online video game design school. The Best Schools (thebestschools.org) ranks schools based 15% on affordability, 75% on academic quality, and 10% on online enrollment. Their data comes primarily from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System but also from objective systems for evaluating the influence of a school. The experience of their Academic Advisory Board also comes into play. St. Andrews offers a Bachelor of Arts major in visual performing arts with a concentration in game art and design. Concepts include creating advanced character models, multiple layer textures, lighting, and animation. Coursework includes character rigging and animation, textures, and level development. Graduation requires both a portfolio and a demo reel. Learn more.
2021 Best Online Bachelor’s in Special Education Programs Nationwide
St. Andrews was ranked #9 in the country for this program. Required courses include learners with mild disabilities, educational psychology, and assessment methods and IEP planning. A professional residency in an approved location provides students with hands-on experience. Learners can also opt into add-on licensure for gifted education. Learn more about courses in special education at St. Andrews. The Best Schools (thebestschools.org) ranks schools based 15% on affordability, 75% on academic quality, and 10% on online enrollment. Their data comes primarily from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, but also from objective systems for evaluating the influence of a school. The experience of their Academic Advisory Board also factors into rankings.
Top Colleges to Prepare for a Career in Education Nationwide
The U.S. has close to 2,000 not-for-profit colleges offering teacher preparation programs. CollegeXpress lists their top 10%, and St. Andrews is among them, alongside Baylor University, Brigham Young, Columbia University, George Mason, Johns Hopkins, Loyola University Maryland, Purdue, Rutgers, The Ohio State University, and Vanderbilt University. This list was derived from the findings of educational consultant, Steven R. Antonoff, PhD, in consultation with countless higher education professionals and student suggestions.
Colleges Strong in Equestrian Studies
It would be surprising if St. Andrews were not on this short list of the top 76 colleges in the U.S. Wouldn’t it? Those of us who were students thirty or forty years ago may remember when the equestrian program ran from a professor’s personal barn. Today, the St. Andrews equestrian program boasts a 300+ acre equestrian center with 4 barns, 2 covered arenas, 1 indoor arena, 3 outdoor riding arenas, 1 dressage arena, 2 hunter trial (derby) courses, several riding fields, and extensive turnout for horses. Our four equine-related majors include biology (with specialization in equine science), business administration with a specialization in equine business management, business administration specialized in therapeutic horsemanship business management, and therapeutic horsemanship. It’s also nice to know, that just like in decades past, students who don’t own horses or who have never ridden a horse have opportunities to have physical education with St. Andrews horses and otherwise learn from and enjoy equestrianism. Learn More.
U.S.A. Colleges with Excellent Asian Studies Programs
This short list of only 44 top college programs nationwide recognizes the Asian studies program at St. Andrews as one of the greats. Asian studies still grace the pages of the St. Andrews course catalog. Among other things, these classes are part of the requirement for the Leadership Studies Minor, along with Women’s and Gender Studies, The History of Bad Behavior, and African American History. This list was derived from the findings of educational consultant, Steven R. Antonoff, PhD, in consultation with countless higher education professionals and student suggestions. It puts St. Andrews in the company of George Mason University, University of California Berkley, University of Georgia, and University of Virginia.
2021 Best Accredited Online Colleges in North Carolina
Best Colleges ranked St. Andrews among the top 15 online programs in North Carolina. St. Andrews offers online undergraduate programs in business administration, psychology, interdisciplinary studies, education, elementary education, middle grades education, and special education. Best Colleges (bestcolleges.com) ranks schools based on data from the National Center for Education Statistics and models rankings based on academic quality, selective admissions, student retention, graduation rates, affordability, and online education competence.
Nation’s Top Colleges for the Socially Awkward
If you’re done laughing . . . CollegeXpress lists St. Andrews among the 50 colleges nationwide “where a Screech can become a Zack.” For those of you born in this century, that is a reference to an early ‘90s sitcom where Screech, a socially awkward kid navigates high school adventures with Zack, his cool, smooth-talking buddy. Separately, CollegeXpress recognizes St. Andrews in a nationwide list of only 74 colleges with an “unusually friendly atmosphere.” These lists were developed in consultation with higher education professionals and from student feedback. Yes, “send us your socially awkward” is not an accolade one would readily put on the cover of the brochure. However, when you look past the blunt title, there is an important truth that has endured the decades on this campus. From the faculty, to the staff, to the social vibe among the students, St. Andrews is largely a welcoming place where individuals are seen and appreciated as individuals. People who may be judged quickly and dismissed elsewhere, are recognized for their talent and value in this environment. CollegeXpress places St. Andrews in good company. This list also includes Boston University, Carnegie Melon University, Guilford College, The University of Arizona, Tufts University, and University of Iowa.
Top Ten Best Colleges for Equestrians in the United States
Equine Helper (equinehelper.com) is one of many equine-insider publications naming St. Andrews among the country’s best colleges for equestrians. Author Carmella Abel explains, “While not every career in the equine world requires a specialized degree, holding a degree from one of the well-known horse colleges in the US can provide incredible opportunities!” St. Andrews University offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in topics such as pre-veterinary studies, equine business management, therapeutic horsemanship, equine science, and therapeutic horsemanship business management. The beautiful St. Andrews Equestrian Center occupies over 300-acres. Equestrians at St. Andrews University have the ability to compete on one of its many nationally-ranked equestrian teams. These teams include an IHSA hunt seat team, Western team, IDA dressage team, and a hunter/jumper show team.
2020 Best Equestrian Colleges in the United States
How did 30 colleges get on ThoughtCo’s 2020 list of the best equestrian colleges nationwide? Colleges were selected for a wide range of reasons such as being recognized for their outstanding equine education programs, offering degrees in equine science, equine management, pre-veterinary studies, and other specializations designed to prepare students for a career working with horses. St. Andrews once again has a strong track record in getting students accepted to the highly selective veterinary colleges. Most of the listed colleges feature state-of-the-art equine facilities, and many also have competitive intercollegiate equestrian teams in various disciplines including hunter seat, Western, saddle seat, and dressage. Each of the colleges listed have some of those things, but St. Andrews has each of those things . . . and much more. As different authorities report on the top equine college programs, some colleges come and go, but St. Andrews is a consistent feature. ThoughtCo groups the SA equine education programs with Texas A&M, Auburn University, Baylor University, Colorado State, Oklahoma State University, Penn State University, and University of Georgia. ThoughtCo (thoughtco.com) serves as a reference site with a 20+ year focus on expert-created education content, one of the top-10 information sites, as measured by comScore.
2020 Top 15 Best Affordable Game Design Degree Programs (Bachelor’s)
For this ranking, Affordable Schools (affordableschools.net) uses methodology designed to capture the balance between quality and affordability. Describing the St. Andrews program, Affordable Schools states, “In this high-value major, students learn the processes and techniques required to construct two- and three-dimensional art assets used to create video and computer games. From a beginner to an advanced level, the inexpensive degree program instructs students how to texture, sculpt, and model. Students utilize a current game engine to create playable levels. Throughout the program, students also gain experience in animation, character rigging, lighting and rendering, building multiple-layer textures, and creating advanced character models.” Required courses also include game art foundations and art history.
2020 The Nation’s Best Affordable Online Special Education and Teaching Degree Programs (Bachelor’s)
Here, Affordable Schools ranked the St. Andrews program #26 in the nation. Affordable Schools states, “On Moodle, the Teacher Education Department provides a top-value online Special Education B.A. with an optional Gifted Education Add-On Licensure for North Carolina K-12 credentials. Led by Dr. Alayne Thorpe, the 120-credit, SACS-accredited online sequence focuses on teaching children with IEPs for mild disabilities. Pre-service teachers finish 100 practicum hours, 16-week classroom internships, and volunteer work with organizations like Special Olympics. The Webber International University affiliate also has an Honors Program for freshmen with a minimum 1150 SAT or 24 ACT score. St. Andrews University is highly regarded and graduates of this top special education degree find great success when pursuing a job in a K-6 school.”
Top 10 Christian Colleges in North Carolina
In 2020, the Christian living magazine, Crosswalk, names St. Andrews as one of the top 10 Christian colleges in North Carolina, along side Duke, Montreat, Campbell, Mid-Atlantic Christian, William Peace, Grace, Apex, Barton, and Queens. They highlight this opportunity on campus, “St. Andrews partners with local churches and ministries regularly. Not only do students have a chance to dialogue with religious leaders on hot button issues, but this also gives students a way to minister to the body of the church by getting involved in a local church plant.” SA’s course catalog currently features classes covering Christian Philosophy, History of Christian Thought, Modern Christian Theology, Christianity and Social Action, Readings in Historical Theology, Foundations of Modern Western Religious Thought, and more.
15 Best Universities for Master’s Degrees in Equine Studies
The Best Master’s Degrees (bestmastersdegrees.com) describes St. Andrews as “home to one of the premiere equestrian programs in the country.” They praise, “This unique program allows students to tailor their master’s degree to fit their career goals. For example, students interested in managing an equine facility will take both business classes as well as hands-on practicums to best prepare them to blend their career interests with their love of horses. Tuition discounts are given to members of national equestrian associations, and prospective students may be happy to know that St. Andrews is home to a 300-acre state-of-the-art equestrian facility.” To find the best equine studies master’s programs, their reviewers considered everything from the selection of concentrations offered, to campus and facilities, to affordability, and came up with the 15 best universities for a master’s degree in equine studies. Their latest list was published in 2018. Learn more.
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