BGSU ranked No. 1 in Ohio for online bachelor’s programs for veterans by U.S. News and World Report

The University continues to see strong showings in national rankings for other online programs including overall bachelor’s degrees, criminal justice, business and education

Bowling Green State University is tops in the state for its online programs for veterans, according to U.S. News and World Report, reinforcing the University’s nationally recognized status as a premier military-friendly institution. 

The University is No. 44 in the nation and No. 1 in Ohio for having the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans according to the Best Online Programs report released on Jan. 24.

The high marks are reflective of the priority the University places on supporting veterans and active military students throughout all stages of their education, wherever they are learning. 

The U.S. News and World Report ranking buttress the honor bestowed by Military Times in its Best for Vets: Colleges 2022 rankings when it named BGSU second in the nation and No. 1 in the Midwest for active military students.

“Veterans and military students experience connection, care and support from the moment that they enroll at BGSU to the time that they graduate,” said Dr. Barbara Henry, assistant vice president of BGSU Nontraditional and Military Student Services. “The flexibility of the University’s online classes is important to the success of these students and makes BGSU one of the best universities for veteran and military students.” 

The 2022 Best Online Programs for Veterans rankings measure factors of affordability, accessibility and institutions that provide reputable distance education in consideration of financial benefits available specifically to people with military experience. The annual rankings cover online bachelor's degree programs and online MBA programs, as well as online master's degree programs in business, education, engineering, computer information technology, criminal justice and nursing.

To ensure academic quality, all schools included in these rankings first have to be ranked among the top half of schools in U.S. News and World Report's 2022 Best Online Programs rankings.

Criminal justice programs

The University’s online criminal justice programs remain nationally ranked at No. 25, keeping BGSU among the country’s best not only in quality but also with an exceptional value proposition.

“We are pleased to maintain our strong ranking over multiple years. BGSU continues to offer a high-quality and competitively ranked online criminal justice degree program at a lower cost compared to most other universities,” said Dr. Melissa Burek, the director of the Center for Justice Research and associate dean and professor for the College of Health and Human Services. 

Overall, U.S. News and World Report ranks the University’s general online bachelor’s degree programs No. 74 in the nation, highlighting the flexibility BGSU provides in meeting and educating students right where they are.  

Online education degree programs

This flexibility is especially vital for professionals expanding their education amid their careers, and the University’s online education degree programs continue to be nationally recognized for excellence, ranking at No. 69. 

Two University programs reached the U.S. News and World Report Best Online Programs Rankings for the first time in 2023. BGSU was nationally recognized for both its online master’s in business program (non-MBA) and the online MBA program. 

eCampus and accessible education

The online programs are all part of the University’s highly successful eCampus, which offers 100% online programs tailored for working adults who aspire to start a new career or advance in their current one.   

“The BGSU eCampus offerings are a pivotal part of the University’s mission as a public university for the public good,” said Dr. Joe B. Whitehead Jr., provost and senior vice president for Academic and Student Affairs. “That mission includes ensuring that a BGSU education is accessible to all students aiming to advance their careers, and eCampus helps to make that a reality. We continue to be proud of the BGSU faculty and staff who make our online programs among the best in the nation.”

The University’s eCampus continues to expand and currently offers 18 online master’s degree programs, five bachelor’s degree completion programs, one associate degree and 16 certification and endorsement programs.