The University of North Georgia ranked 24th among public regional universities in the South, according to U.S. News & World Report.

The rankings are based on data related to academic quality, including freshman retention rates, peer assessment, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rates and alumni giving. The rankings are based primarily on data from 2015, and for some factors, include averages of the previous two to four years of data.

UNG has been in the top tier of the magazine’s regional rankings for years, the UNG communications office said in a release.

The South region includes 12 states.

UNG has more than 18,000 students at its five campuses. Its Gainesville campus is its largest by enrollment.

UNG has more than 100 programs of study from certificates to graduate programs.