“Would you choose your university again?”

It’s the question The Wall Street Journal asks hundreds of thousands of college students and alumni from universities across the nation every year in its annual rankings, and for the sixth year in a row, students from Bowling Green State University gave a resounding “yes” – placing Bowling Green among the best of all universities in the nation as recommended by students. 

The University is in the top five in the nation and No. 3 among all public universities for its student-recommendation score, according to The Wall Street Journal's 2026 Best Colleges rankings, emphasizing the University’s nationally recognized undergraduate student experience.

Bowling Green is the No. 1 university in Ohio – big or small, public or private – students say they’d choose again. Additionally, among Ohio’s public universities, Bowling Green ranked No. 1 for career preparation; No. 1 for learning facilities; and No. 1 for learning opportunities.

“There are all sorts of rankings that measure a variety of datasets for universities and colleges, but being top-rated by the students who have actually experienced what we have to offer is the ultimate five-star review,” said BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers. “Knowing our students would choose Bowling Green again is the ranking that means the most in measuring the quality of our student experience and learning opportunities, and we are so grateful to again be ranked among the very best in the nation, and No. 1 among all of the universities and colleges in Ohio.”

These rankings reaffirm that Bowling Green – which set enrollment records for the second consecutive year in 2025 – is home to one of the top higher education experiences anywhere in the United States. 

The methodology for the student experience ranking considers a number of factors, including surveys that measure students’ satisfaction with overall well-being, a sense of community, safety, campus facilities and the chance to interact with others in the learning community from different backgrounds. 

The rankings underscore the University’s commitment to helping students succeed with in-demand degree programs and comprehensive learning environments that place outsized value on real-world experiences. 

Bowling Green recently became the first university in the nation to launch a customizable AI+X bachelor’s degree, building on its legacy of innovation in developing in-demand academic programs. The uniquely designed undergraduate degree addresses the growing demand for professionals who can use AI principles and technology to solve complex, interdisciplinary challenges.

Further emphasizing its commitment to career prep, Bowling Green recently was selected as one of only eight universities nationwide and the only one in the Midwest to join the first-ever National Work-Integrated Learning Accelerator, a bold initiative designed to bridge the gap between education and workforce readiness by connecting students to industry through real-world projects and simulations. 

The University’s innovative Life Design program helps empower students to shape their own academic journey, while the University continues to make significant investments in programs that address workforce needs. 

Earlier in 2025, the University renamed the College of Engineering and Innovation, which is home to two dozen degree programs that launch students into in-demand careers in aviation, engineering, architecture and construction management. 

Also in 2025, BGSU set a new enrollment record for the second consecutive year with its largest-ever freshman class. 

With more than 4,000 new students for the first time in University history, first-year enrollment is up 36% across the past four years. 

Additionally, the new class is the highest-achieving group in BGSU history. The BGSU class of 2029 enters its first year on campus with an average ACT score of 25 and a cumulative grade-point average of 3.74. 

BGSU also saw a 17% increase in the number of transfer students enrolling at the university, in large part due to an increase in pathway programs created through meaningful partnerships throughout Ohio and the larger region.