For the first time in its history, the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University is the No. 1 graduate program in the nation, according to the latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report.

The spring rankings reflect peer institution assessments of several factors, including research activity, faculty resources, and academic achievements of entering students. Coulter ties Johns Hopkins University for first place and remains the top graduate program among public universities.

“Our No. 1 graduate ranking is a reflection of the hard work and dedication to excellence from our faculty, staff, and students,” said Alyssa Panitch, Wallace H. Coulter Department Chair. “The rankings reflect their never-ending quest for knowledge and to improve human health through education, research, and innovation.”

Coulter joins all disciplines within Georgia Tech’s College of Engineering that are in the top ten. In this year’s rankings, the College rose two spots to No. 5 overall among graduate engineering programs nationally, which also ranks it third among public institutions.