BGSU ranked No. 3 public university in the nation, No. 1 in the Midwest for veterans, active military students by Military Times

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green State University has been ranked the No. 3 public university in the nation – and No. 1 in the Midwest for the fifth year in a row – for veterans and active military students by Military Times, continuing its longstanding reputation as a top academic choice for those who serve or have served.

In its 2025 Best for Vets: Colleges rankings, which are considered the most comprehensive assessment of collegiate veteran and military student services, Military Times placed BGSU at No. 1 in Ohio and No. 7 overall in the nation.

“Military students continue to be celebrated and empowered at Bowling Green State University through a student-centered, holistic approach,” said Bryan Bills, military program coordinator in the BGSU Office of Nontraditional and Military Student Services. “From personalized communication guidance, navigating nuanced military education benefits to specialized academic support for national testing preparation, BGSU prioritizes and acknowledges the unique challenges that military students face.”

This recognition comes amid rising enrollment at BGSU, with more than 720 military-affiliated students now attending the University, an increase over last fall.

Over a decade of recognition by Military Times
Military Times prioritizes student success as the most important factor in determining its rankings, underscoring Bowling Green’s nationally recognized student experience and No. 1 ranking in Ohio for career prep.

Military Times has consistently recognized BGSU as a welcoming and supportive environment for veterans and active military students since 2013.

The BGSU Office of Nontraditional and Military Student Services provides veterans and active military students with unmatched academic and personalized support. 

A culture of community and student success
Among the resources available at BGSU is Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE), a network of veteran and active military students who help new military students build connections and a sense of community.

The military-affiliated tutoring program is also a key component of the University’s efforts to support academic success.

“Our university is committed to providing support to our military students beyond the classroom with initiatives like career conversations, which align military students with employers to seamlessly ease their civilian transition,” said Barbara Henry, Ph.D., assistant vice president of the Office of Nontraditional and Military Student Services. “Our approach fosters an environment where military students can thrive personally and academically, whether in their military career or in a new career in the civilian sector.”

Prioritizing veteran support
Military veteran Jeffrey Mustard, who is pursuing a degree in construction management, values the University’s emphasis on supporting military students.

"I remember being genuinely shocked by the support and willingness to help from everyone I encountered," Mustard said. "The faculty at BGSU truly value veteran students for our engagement, work ethic and real-world perspective.”

The Best for Vets rankings are based on an annual survey of colleges and universities nationwide to evaluate their veteran-focused programs and resources. U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs data are also analyzed for the rankings.

The publication also considered the breadth of military-specific resources and financial assistance available to students, among other factors.