The University of North Georgia received favorable rankings across various categories in the recent release of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Colleges rankings on Feb. 6.

In the list for 2024 U.S. News Best Online Bachelor’s Programs, UNG secured fourth place among public universities in Georgia. The University of Georgia, University of West Georgia, and Kennesaw State University were ranked higher than UNG, while UNG outperformed Georgia State University, Columbus State University, and Middle Georgia State University.

Similarly, UNG attained the fourth spot among public universities in Georgia in the U.S. News Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs list. It also stood at seventh place among Georgia public universities in the Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs list and eighth place in the U.S. News Best Online Master’s in Education Programs list.

Douglas Orr, department head of UNG’s Criminal Justice program, commended his staff in light of the rating.

“Our faculty not only understand policy and research but also, they have professional experience. We call them ‘pracademics.'” – Douglas Orr, UNG Criminal Justice Department Head

More than two-thirds of the faculty in the Criminal Justice department have on-the-job experience in the disciplines and specialties that they teach, according to Orr. “Accordingly, they know the rule. But they have also lived the exception,” he said.

The rankings by U.S. News were determined by evaluating engagement, expert opinion, services and technologies, faculty credentials and training, student excellence and peer assessment.

“We are pleased to receive this recognition,” said Dr. Chaudron Gille, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs.

“UNG has strategically invested in developing quality online degree programs in order to provide opportunities for working adults and learners who are place bound or need flexibility in their schedule to advance their educational and career goals.” – Dr. Chaudron Gille, Provost and UNG Academic Affairs Senior Vice President

These rankings follow UNG’s tie for 17th place among public Regional Universities in the South in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings released on Sept. 18. In specialized lists for public Regional Universities in the South among Georgia universities, UNG claimed the top spot in the Best Colleges for Veterans category, ranked first for Least Debt (measuring schools with students graduating with minimal debt loads), and secured the third position on the Best Value Colleges list.