North Columbus News

The Ohio State University has maintained its status as one of the top public universities in the United States, according to the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. The university was ranked 15th among public institutions and 41st overall in the nation in the magazine’s 2026 Best Colleges list, matching its position from last year.

President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. commented on the results, stating, “This ranking confirms what we know about our university – that Ohio State’s focus on academic excellence, investment in eminent faculty, and commitment to affordability and accessibility for every student puts us in the top tier of American public higher education. I’m especially excited about the opportunities ahead to achieve an even higher level of excellence as outlined in our bold new strategic plan. An excellent Ohio State is good for students and families, it’s good for our communities, and it’s good for the strength and competitiveness of the workforce.”

Several academic programs at Ohio State continue to receive high marks. The College of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is rated first among public universities and fourth nationally. In business education, Fisher College of Business holds sixth place among public undergraduate business programs and twelfth overall nationwide. Its supply chain management/logistics program is ranked fourth among public universities and fifth nationally, while production operations management stands at ninth among publics and twelfth nationally.

In engineering, Ohio State’s undergraduate degree program placed fifteenth among public universities and twenty-eighth across all institutions.

Ohio State also remains recognized for its support of military-connected students, holding steady at fifteenth among public institutions and twenty-second nationwide. The university has set a goal through its new strategic plan to become the leading institution for veterans in the country. Carter, himself a U.S. Navy veteran, emphasized this objective: “Ohio State should be the first choice and gold standard for every veteran in America seeking postsecondary education, career transition and lifelong well-being.”

Additionally, Ohio State is listed as one of the Most Innovative Schools by U.S. News & World Report, ranking twenty-first among publics and forty-second overall for innovative improvements related to curriculum development, faculty initiatives, student experience enhancements, campus life upgrades, technology adoption or facility advancements.

The Best Colleges issue from U.S. News & World Report has been published annually for 41 years and assesses nearly 1,500 colleges on up to 17 measures of academic quality.