From BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY
Bowling Green State University has been recognized again as one of the nation’s top public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 “Best Colleges” report, ranking in the top 20% nationwide and among the best in Ohio, reporting record retention rates for first-year students.
The overall rankings place BGSU at No. 293 nationally, among the more than 1,700 four-year colleges and universities included in the ranking and in the top 10% of the country’s more than 2,600 colleges and universities. This marks the 20th consecutive year BGSU has been recognized among the nation’s “best colleges.”
“Like our peers, Bowling Green State University is pleased to be ranked by U.S. News and World Report, providing an external validation of the quality of our academic offerings,” said BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers. “At the end of the day, though, we want students and families to know that while rankings are nice, when it comes to their college experience, we want them to choose a university that will allow them to experience college the best way for them.”
“Strong, solid academic offerings are the foundation of any college experience, yes, but at Bowling Green, in addition to our academics, we are also incredibly proud of the comprehensive student experience, because we know it isn’t just where you go to college that matters – it’s how,” Rogers said. “That’s why we are intentionally empowering students through Life Design to get the most of their college experience at Bowling Green, with meaningful learning opportunities and connections that lead to great careers and great lives.”
The university has maintained its rankings for two straight decades by aiming to provide an education of value, investing in in-demand academic programs and launching programs like Life Design, which serves to empower students to take an active and intentional role in designing their college experience, helping to prepare them for their careers and lives.
In addition to the overall rankings, undergraduate programs that had strong showings in the 2026 “Best Colleges” rankings include engineering, which has experienced substantial growth in recent years; computer science, the first program of its kind at a public university in Ohio; and nursing and psychology, ranked among the best in the state among public universities.
Engineering
BGSU undergraduate engineering programs, which rank among the top 100 nationwide and at No. 4 among public universities in Ohio without a doctoral program, are the highest-ranked programs at a public university in northwest Ohio. This distinction highlights the university’s undergraduate-focused approach, giving students direct access to faculty and hands-on learning opportunities from day one.
The University has made significant investments in its engineering programs, including the new Technology Engineering Innovation Center, a 24,000-square-foot addition to the current technology building. The building, set to open in the spring, will feature leading technology that aims to mimic what students will encounter in the workplace, helping them to be career-ready upon graduation.
The University’s engineering programs in robotics engineering, electronics and computer engineering and mechanical and manufacturing engineering were reimagined in 2024 to provide students with the skills to address a variety of modern engineering challenges.
Computer Science
In the 2026 report, the university’s computer science program climbed 36 spots in the rankings to No. 245 – its highest ranking in the past three years – and No. 6 among the state’s public universities.
BGSU established its computer science program more than five decades ago, becoming Ohio’s first public university to offer an undergraduate degree in computer science. The program has continued to evolve and adapt to workforce needs, and now offers specializations in cybersecurity and computational data science, with many graduates building careers in Big Tech.
Nursing
The university’s nursing program, already one of the largest in northwest Ohio, also improved in this year’s national rankings. Since establishing a standalone School of Nursing in 2020 and enrolling its first cohort in 2021, the nursing program has grown consistently, necessitating the addition of a spring enrollment.
The program’s success can be measured by its student outcomes. Nearly 100% of BGSU nursing students are employed at graduation, with about three-fourths securing conditional job offers months before earning their degrees.
Psychology
BGSU improved its rankings for psychology to No. 2 in Ohio among public universities and No. 152 nationally, up 28 spots from last year.
The psychology program not only earned higher rankings, but also has one of Ohio’s most active research programs, which provides undergraduates with opportunities to engage in research in the mental healthcare and well-being field.
Business
BGSU’s national rankings in business also improved this year, moving up two spots to No. 174, placing the program in the top 5 among Ohio’s public universities.
