Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College: Academics, Admissions & Tuition

Research the degree and certificate programs offered at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia. Learn about its academics, and get admission and financial aid info to decide if this is the right school for you.

About Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Located in Tifton, Georgia, on a 516-acre campus, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) is one of 35 state colleges. The school opened in February 1908 as Second District A&M. In 1933, the name was changed to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College to recognize the first president of the University of Georgia, who was also a signer of the U.S. Constitution.

The college features the J.G. Woodroof Farm and the Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village, a living example of Georgia life in the 1890s. Alumni include Cathy Cox, who served for 8 years as Georgia's Secretary of State, and George T. Smith, who was the only Georgia citizen to serve in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of Georgia's government.

Academics

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredited Abraham Baldwin College of Agriculture in 1953. The college consists of six schools: the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, School of Business, School of Human Sciences, School of Liberal Arts, School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and School of Science and Mathematics. These schools offer bachelor's degree, associate's degree, and certificate programs with varying majors and fields of study.

Recently, the college added a 4-year rural studies program with concentrations in arts and culture, business and economic development, community and social affairs, and writing and communication. The most popular areas of study, based on number of students earning a degree in 2010-2011, were liberal arts, health professions, and agriculture and related sciences. Special learning opportunities include dual enrollment options for high school students, distance learning courses, and study abroad programs. ABAC had 83 full-time and 43 part-time instructional faculty in 2011. Its partner campus is called ABAC on the Square and is in Moultrie, Georgia.

The school's Baldwin Library is housed in the Carlton Center, and library materials can be accessed online through the GALILEO and GIL systems. Men's athletics include baseball, tennis, and golf, while women can participate in soccer, softball, and tennis. The college operates the nearby Forest Lake Golf Course. Other campus amenities include lighted tennis courts, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a weight room, volleyball courts, a rodeo arena, and horse boarding facilities.

Admissions

Freshman admission application requirements include an ABAC application and a $20 non-refundable fee, an immunization certificate, SAT/ACT scores (for students seeking a bachelor's degree), an official high school transcript, and an official copy of transcripts from any previously attended institution. ABAC also accepts applications from transfer students, home-schooled students, and international students. All students can apply online and must submit a form verifying their lawful presence in the United States.

In fall 2011, 2,481 applications were submitted; 69% of applicants were accepted, and 67% opted to attend ABAC. Total student enrollment consisted of 3,248 students from 17 states and 22 countries; 69% of students attended full-time, 56% were female, and 44% were male. Nearly 1,300 students lived on campus during the fall 2011 term.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For fall 2012 and spring 2013, in-state tuition and fees for students taking at least 15 credit hours per term were $1,924, and out-of-state tuition and fees were $5,758. ABAC is a member of the Academic Common Market program, and out-of-state students can pay in-state rates for certain degree programs with approval of the Southern Regional Education Board.

Tuition payments should be made in full prior to the beginning of each term. Book costs were about $775 per term in 2010-2011. On-campus living costs were estimated at about $8,400 per academic year; these costs included room and board and other expenses. ABAC offers its own scholarship program. Students complete one application and are considered for awards based on eligibility criteria for individual scholarships. Students can apply on an ongoing basis.

ABRAHAM BALDWIN AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE QUICK FACTS
School Type	4-year, public**
Degrees Offered	Certificates, associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees**
Religious Affiliation	None**
Academic Calendar	Semesters*
School Setting	Town**
Student Body	Approximately 3,200 undergraduates in fall 2011*
Student Housing	ABAC Place and ABAC Lakeside, costs from about $3,900-$5,000 per semester with meal plan; online application and $235 reservation fee required*
ACADEMICS
Schools and Programs	6 schools; 8 degrees and 2 certificates with multiple program options*
Student-Faculty Ratio	20 to 1**
Most Popular Fields of Study By Degree Level (Number of Recipients)	In 2011: Associate's: Liberal arts and sciences/liberal studies (334) Bachelor's: Turf and turfgrass management (21)
Undergraduate Graduation Rates	19% of students who started in fall 2005 graduated in 150% of normal time**
ADMISSIONS
Admission Rate	69% of applicants for fall 2011**
First-Year Retention Rates	50% in 2011**
SAT Scores of Admitted Students	Middle 50% range for SAT critical reading, between 410-520; SAT math middle 50%, between 410-520 in fall 2011**
Application Due Date	Fall semester due date, August 1; spring semester due date, December 1*
Decision Notification Date	Admission status can be checked online within 72 hours of document receipt*
TUITION & FINANCIAL AID
Tuition, Fees, and Expenses (2011-2012)	Estimated total costs for in-state, on-campus students, $12,347; out-of-state, on-campus, $18,385**
Financial Aid Sources Available (Percent of Students Receiving It)	For first-time undergraduate students in 2010-2011: Grant or scholarship aid (82%), Pell grants (58%), student loans (48%)**
Percent of Students Receiving Some Form of Aid	90% of beginning undergraduates in 2010-2011**

Sources: *Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College, **IES National Center for Education Statistics, College Navigator

School Contact Information

Address: Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College, 2802 Moore Highway, Tifton, GA 31793
Phone: (800) 733-3653 or (229) 391-5001
Website: www.abac.edu