Meanwhile, all of the Georgia Institute of Technology’s engineering programs ranked in the top five, and the College of Engineering was ranked No. 4 overall for public schools offering that field of study.

"This is one indication of the breadth and depth of our undergraduate programs,” Steve McLaughlin, dean of the College of Engineering, said. “Since these rankings are based upon how our peers across the country perceive the quality of our programs, it is also gratifying to know that they think very highly of Georgia Tech’s engineering programs. The rankings also demonstrate the commitment to excellence shown by our students, faculty and staff.”

Program scores are based on surveys of deans and faculty members at other universities. The U.S. News rankings are one indicator of the quality of an institution and can influence undergraduates, professors, prospective students, peer institutions and the media. Prospective students should also consider other factors such as overall cost, ROI, opportunities for research and studying abroad, internship and co-op options, the size and location of a school, and campus culture.

This is the eighth time the Georgia Tech College of Engineering has placed fourth in the U.S. News rankings, and stands alone there, having broken a tie with the California Institute of Technology’s engineering program (which fell to No. 5). Among public universities, Georgia Tech's engineering program ranks second behind only the University of California, Berkeley.