(UNDATED) – Once again, Trine University's online degree program placed among the best in the United States.

The U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings include online degrees from public and private institutions nationwide. The 2021 edition marks the third year in a row Trine University, which groups its online programs under TrineOnline, has been recognized.

Trine was ranked in four categories: Best Bachelor's Degrees, Best Graduate Engineering Degrees, Best Graduate Business Degrees, non-MBA and Best Online Bachelor's Degree Programs in Business, a new category for this year.

U.S. News said it evaluated 1,641 online degree programs for 2021, an all-time high. To be considered, programs needed to grant degrees through predominantly online classes.

The Best Online rankings only include programs housed in regionally accredited institutions. Certificate degrees, associate's degrees and doctoral degrees are not surveyed nor ranked, according to U.S. News. Programs that moved temporarily online due to the COVID-19 pandemic also were not included.