U.S. News & World Report ranks BGSU online programs in top 8% nationwide

Programs in criminal justice, business and education rank No. 1 in Ohio

Bowling Green State University earned national recognition once again for the quality of its undergraduate and graduate online programs, ranking in the top 8% nationwide in U.S. News and World Report’s 2026 Best Online Program rankings.

In this year’s rankings, Bowling Green also ranked highly in the Midwest and Ohio, with three programs – criminal justice, business and education – earning the top spot in the state.

“Being ranked among the nation’s top online programs underscores our commitment to academic excellence and expanding access to high-quality education through flexible learning options,” said Ravi Krovi, provost and senior vice president. “Students can expect the same level of quality and academic rigor regardless of how they choose to learn.”

Criminal justice

Bowling Green’s highly regarded online master’s degree in criminal justice ranked No. 1 in Ohio, No. 3 in the Midwest and rose two spots nationally to No. 13.

The program, offered through BGSU Online, provides the skills professionals need to advance into leadership roles and also serves as a pathway for those entering the field.

For Capt. Jacob Morris ‘17 of the Lorain (Ohio) Police Department, the program’s flexibility was ideal as he continued working full-time while earning his degree – a commitment that paid immediate dividends.

"I always wanted to be the best officer I could be," Morris said. "Because so much of this career is based on opportunities, there is no guarantee you will become a detective or sergeant. I knew that if I stood out from my peers, opportunities would find me. My BGSU education allowed me to do exactly that, and it has already resulted in three promotions."

Graduates of the master’s criminal justice program have gone on to work or advance their careers in federal, state, county or local law enforcement agencies. Some go on to law school or research or policy-oriented doctoral programs.

Business

U.S. News ranked BGSU No. 1 in Ohio for online bachelor’s programs in business, noting its strong support for veterans and further solidifying the Schmidthorst College of Business’s reputation for excellence.

The College of Business is one of only 6% of business schools nationwide with AACSB accreditation, the highest standard in business education.

Students can choose from 13 specializations to prepare them for in-demand careers in fields such as business analytics and intelligence, accounting, finance, marketing and information systems. 

Education

Within online master’s degrees in education, BGSU leads the state in serving veteran students, ranking No. 1 in Ohio, No. 9 in the Midwest and No. 24 nationally, reflecting the University’s strong reputation as a military friendly institution.

Military Times has named Bowling Green the top university in the Midwest for veterans and active military students for five consecutive years.

Overall, education master’s programs ranked third in Ohio and rose seven spots to No. 64 nationally. Students can choose from six different online master’s degrees in education to further advance their careers.

BGSU Online programs – which are taught by the same expert faculty as in-person classes – are designed to meet learners where they are.

Classes are offered in seven-week, 15-week and blended formats at BGSU, which is the only university in Ohio and one of just six nationally to possess the Quality Matters Online Learner Support certificate for all of its online programming.