G eorgia College & State University's online nursing program ranks first in the state and tied for No. 28 nationally in the “Best Online Programs” rankings by U.S. News & World Report released today. Only three schools from Georgia ranked in the top 100 on U.S. News & World Report’s list of best online nursing programs.

The online graduate programs offered by Georgia College in business, criminal justice and education all rank in the top 100 overall against other programs across the nation.

“The School of Nursing at Georgia College & State University continues to attract the best and brightest students at every level, from bachelor’s to master’s to our doctor of nursing practice,” said Georgia College President Cathy Cox.

Two programs from Georgia College’s J. Whitney Bunting College of Business and Technology are also highly-ranked. The online Master’s Degree in Business (non-MBA) is second only to the University of Georgia statewide, and No. 43 on U.S. News & World Report’s overall list. Georgia College and UGA are the only two schools in Georgia to rank in the top 100 on U.S. News & World Report’s list.

The Georgia College online MBA is No. 94 nationally and also second in Georgia. Again, Georgia College was one of only two schools in the state to rank in the top 100 for online MBA programs.

“These rankings speak to the superb quality and innovative spirit of our faculty. They consistently deliver a student-centered, highly engaging learning experience for working professionals and emerging leaders,” said Dr. Micheal Stratton, dean of the College of Business and Technology.

Two other graduate programs round out Georgia College’s top 100 rankings: the online Criminal Justice program at No. 61 nationally (third in Georgia), and the online Master’s of Education at No. 100 in the nation and top 10 in the state. The online education graduate program at Georgia College made significant gains in the rankings year-over-year, coming from a 2023 ranking of No. 132 and entering this year’s top 100.

“These rankings are another indicator that our accessible and affordable graduate programs are of the highest quality. These programs remain innovative and forward-looking to anticipate the needs of maturing professionals in all sectors represented by the rankings,” said Dr. Holley Roberts, associate provost for Academic Affairs and Director of The Graduate School.

U.S. News & World Report designates Georgia College as a Regional University South, a geographic area that includes a dozen southern states. According to U.S. News, “Regional Universities offer a full range of undergraduate programs and some master’s programs” and limited doctoral programs.

Among Georgia’s other regional south public institutions, Georgia College is No. 1 for its online Master’s of Business, online MBA and online Criminal Justice programs – in addition to being the No. 1 online graduate nursing program among all Georgia institutions, both public and private.

U.S. News & World Report is a multi-platform publisher of news and information, which includes www.usnews.com, as well as the digital-only U.S. News Weekly magazine. U.S. News publishes annual print and e-book versions of its authoritative rankings of Best Colleges, Best Graduate Schools and Best Hospitals.