USC online graduate nursing program ranked No. 1 in nation.

The University of South Carolina's online graduate nursing program is ranked top in the nation among public universities by U.S. News and World Report. The same report ranks the USC program second overall.

The rankings also list the College of Nursing top among public institutions for its online graduate program for veterans, according to a news release from the university.

U.S. News and World Report bases its rankings on student-faculty engagement, faculty credentials and training, students services and technologies, student achievement and the opinions of high-ranking nursing academic officials. The College of Nursing is No. 4 among public institutions in a new specialty ranking for its online graduate nurse practitioner-family nursing program.

For the past five years, the university College of Nursing online program has been ranked in the top five among public universities. Dean Jeannette Andrews said the college has made an effort to offer flexible paths for students to complete their degrees.

"Most nurses who are seeking graduate education work 12-hour shifts and varying days during the week," Andrews said in the release. "They are looking for quality programs, experienced faculty (and) program delivery flexibility, as...