The U.S. News and World Report Education ranked the best online graduate programs in the country, and they named Loyola’s School of Nursing online program one of the top in the nation.

The online program was ranked number one in student services and technology, second in faculty credentials and training, and seventh in student engagement and accreditation.

According to a Loyola press release from Jan. 16, Loyola was one of five nursing schools in the country and the only Jesuit university to be honored with this ranking.

Loyola ranked ahead of Loyola University Chicago, Duke University, Arizona State University, University of Florida and St. Louis University.

Luis Miron, dean of the College of Social Sciences, said the ranking is a benefit to the university.

“To my knowledge, few, if any, degree programs at Loyola have achieved a top-five national ranking as measured by U.S. News and World Report,” he said. “This distinction benefits not only the College of Social Sciences, but indeed, the university.”

Ann Cary, director of the School of Nursing, said the ranking brings recognition to the program’s faculty.

“I know the faculty are delighted that the program acknowledges the reputation of the school, college and university,” Cary said. “It reinforces our vision of excellence here at the school and our commitment to student learning.”

University President the Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J., said being recognized is good for the university.

“I think any time one of our programs is recognized for its excellence it raises the profile of the university and what we are trying to do,” Wildes said.

Cary also said she hoped that the recognition helps the reputation of the program.

“This recognition will hopefully get more people interested and have them discover the value of the program,” she said.

Miron says the ranking is great for the program.

“The entire School of Nursing — its director, faculty and staff — has achieved an extraordinary recognition of the academic quality of its online program,” he said.

The School of Nursing is entirely online and offers program in RN-BSN, nurse practitioner, health care system management and a doctor of nursing practice. All of the programs are offered on the master’s level.

Hannah Iannazzo can be reached at [email protected]