Ohio University Best Value Public University According to U.S. News & World Report
Article Presented By Hometown-Motors, Inc.
(Athens) – For the sixth year in a row, Ohio University has been named the best value public university in the state of Ohio in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings, further underscoring OHIO’s continued commitment to delivering a high-quality, affordable education for Ohio students and families.
In addition to being the best value in the state, the rankings also placed OHIO among the top 40 best value public universities in the nation (39th overall).
“We are proud to once again be recognized by U.S. News & World Report for the value of an Ohio University education,” Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez said. “As a public university, our mission is to open doors—expanding access and creating meaningful opportunities for students and families across Ohio. Student success is always our top priority, and we remain focused on providing the experiences, resources, and support that help our students thrive in the classroom and prepare for successful careers.”
The value of an OHIO education
U.S. News and World Report’s rankings methodology for best value specifically considers the ratio of quality to price, the percentage of full-time undergraduates receiving need-based scholarships or grants, the percentage of need-based aid recipients awarded scholarships or grants, and the average discount covered by those scholarships or grants.
In recent years, OHIO has implemented multiple initiatives to ensure affordability and student success, including the OHIO Guarantee+ program, which provides a fixed cost of tuition, housing, and meal plans locked for four years or 12 consecutive semesters. The Guarantee+ goes further than locking rates; however, it also offers an individualized graduation plan for each student that ensures students graduate on time and on plan, or the University will make it right.
Additionally, at the start of President Gonzalez’s tenure, she implemented the President’s Opportunity Promise, which increases higher education access for qualifying Pell-eligible students in Athens County, and all contiguous Ohio counties, to attend Ohio University tuition-free.
OHIO’s nursing programs rise in rankings
One of OHIO’s standout programs this year is its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, which jumped 31 spots in national rankings compared to last year – further cementing the University’s growing prominence in the health care field and preparing students for in-demand careers.
OHIO’s Nursing program in the College of Health Sciences and Professions, which offers innovative and accessible programs including online RN to BSN , online MSN and online DNP degrees, as well as traditional on-campus BSN programs on several of Ohio University campuses, has received numerous other accolades including OHIO’s BSN to DNP program being ranked 2nd in the country and the nurse practitioner program ranked 3rd in Ohio by Allnurses.com.
U.S. News’ recognition of OHIO’s nursing excellence builds upon other recent national accolades, including the latest Carnegie Classifications, in which the University and many of OHIO’s regional campuses, including Chillicothe, Southern and Zanesville, were also recognized.
Academic program success
OHIO’s undergraduate Business program in the College of Business, renowned for
its comprehensive curriculum and world-class faculty, rose 26 spots in the latest U.S. News rankings.
Additionally, the College of Business’ Master of Sports Administration (MSA) was recently named the world’s best postgraduate sports management degree for 2025, by SportBusiness, an international sports business intelligence service.
Several other undergraduate programs ranked as some of the top in the state, including the undergraduate Psychology program in the College of Arts and Sciences, and the undergraduate Computer Science program and undergraduate Engineering program in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology.
“Earning recognition as the top value in the state reflects OHIO’s strong commitment to academic excellence and affordability,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Donald J. Leo. “This achievement is a testament to our nationally ranked programs and to the dedication of our faculty and staff, who work every day to support student success and help them realize their full potential.”
Beyond academics, OHIO was also recognized for its commitment to helping veterans and active-duty service members achieve academic success, ranking 145th in the country for the best college for Veterans. The University has also continued to be designated as a military-friendly campus, a designation its held for 14 consecutive years.
Continuing enrollment and student success
In addition to the most recent U.S. News rankings, OHIO recently announced that it had once again seen a significant increase in total enrollment this fall, climbing to 30,682 for a 3.6% year-over-year increase. Not only did the University see growth in its first-year class, welcoming a record 4,550 students, but also increased its retention rate, reaching 84.7% in Athens and continuing gains across regional campuses as well.
The University welcomed 8,195 new students in total across its undergraduate and graduate programs, including nearly 1,500 new students pursuing graduate education and nearly 250 new students training to become physicians at OHIO’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.
