The University of Houston claimed a new honor in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings. Now rated number one in the country for having the best online graduate education programs, this Texan dark horse has earned the right to boast.

Elizabeth Rhodes from Culture Map Houston writes:

University of Houston takes the No. 1 spot in new prestigious college rankings: It’s a Coogs’ world

University of Houston has taken a No. 1 spot in the prestigious U.S. News & World Report college rankings. Houston boasts the No. 1 rated online graduate education programs in the country according to the national magazine, known for being the bible of college rankings.

That category is one of eight that are a part of the new U.S. News’ Best Online Program rankings.

For the 2015 edition, U.S. News ranked schools based on five general categories — including student engagement, student services and technology, faculty credentials and training, admissions selectivity and peer reputation — with certain categories weighted more than others.

The University of Houston’s online graduate education programs scored 90 for faculty credentials and training, 94 for student services and technology, 91 for student engagement and 78 for admissions selectivity, as well as a 3.1 (out of 5) for peer reputation.

The other recently released lists include rankings of the best online bachelor’s programs, MBA programs, graduate business programs, graduate criminal justice programs, graduate engineering programs, graduate information technology programs and graduate nursing programs.