From BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY
Bowling Green State University has been named the No. 1 public university in Ohio and No. 3 in the Midwest for first-year experiences in the 2027 Best Colleges rankings by U.S. News & World Report, recognizing the university’s comprehensive approach to helping students transition to college, build community, engage in campus life, and define their path forward.
BGSU also climbed 11 spots in the overall rankings, finishing at No. 148 nationally among public universities. The university ranks among the top 17% of more than 1,700 four-year colleges and universities included in the rankings.
The recognition comes as BGSU continues to see record levels of enrollment, retention, and graduation. Total enrollment increased 2.1% this fall, marking four consecutive years of growth, while the university has sustained record-high retention rates over the past three years. The four-year graduation rate has increased by 14% over the past five years, with more students than ever graduating in four years or less.
“Bowling Green State University is proud to be a leader not only in the state, but the nation, for student experience, and this ranking reaffirms our commitment to each student, from day one through graduation,” said BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers. “Higher education has long known how a student goes to college matters. At Bowling Green, we leaned in, investing in programs that give students the tools, framework, and support to fully leverage all their educational experience has to offer.”
Much of BGSU’s approach to student success is shaped by its Career and Life Design program, which begins engaging students during orientation and continues throughout their college experience. Students are introduced to Career and Life Design through a one-credit-hour course, with its principles also integrated into academic courses across disciplines.
Through one-on-one coaching and career readiness support, students learn to connect their coursework, interests, and professional aspirations with meaningful experiences. They also develop strategies for overcoming obstacles, reframing failures, and pivoting when needed.
BGSU’s student success efforts extend beyond the classroom. Students are introduced to hundreds of campus organizations within their first few weeks, have opportunities to connect with employers through an early fall career fair and can participate in faculty-mentored research as early as their first year.
Bowling Green also takes a proactive approach to student support in the residence halls and through its Early Alert program. Professional staff monitor key engagement, academic, and well-being indicators and connect students with resources such as academic advising, registration assistance, co-curricular engagement, and care and support before challenges escalate.
The U.S. News recognition follows BGSU’s selection as one of only three finalists – and the only finalist from the Midwest – for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ 2026 Excellence in Student Success Award, which recognizes universities demonstrating a comprehensive, systemic commitment to advancing student success.
For six consecutive years, BGSU has also been ranked among the top five universities in the nation and No. 1 in Ohio in a measure of students who say they would choose the university again.
