(From Bowling Green State University)
Bowling Green State University is located in what WalletHub recently named the No. 1 best small college town in Ohio and among the top 10 in the Midwest for 2025, reaffirming Bowling Green, Ohio, as the right place to provide students with a quintessential college experience.
In addition to being located in an ideal college town, BGSU also empowers students with the right in-demand programs and is the right size to offer all the opportunities of a large school, yet small enough so that each student can actually take advantage of the experiences.
In WalletHub’s latest rankings, the personal finance company named the city of Bowling Green as one of the nation’s best small college towns based on three primary factors: access to academic and career growth opportunities, social environment and overall affordability. From its celebrated small shops and restaurants to its close-knit community, Bowling Green fits the bill in every category for this year’s rankings.
“There is incredible momentum at Bowling Green State University, and being located in such a welcoming, supportive and safe community like Bowling Green that embraces the University is, in large part, why more and more students want to join our learning community,” BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers said. “From its great local businesses to its engaging year-round events and activities, we have long known that Bowling Green is one of the best small college towns in the nation. This recognition reaffirms our longstanding connection with the city, which provides multiple opportunities for students and residents to connect with one another, both on campus and in the community.”
“This recognition highlights what we in Bowling Green already know – that our community and University share something truly special,” Bowling Green Mayor Mike Aspacher said. “The close collaboration between the City and BGSU has created an environment where innovation, opportunity and a strong sense of belonging come together to make Bowling Green an outstanding place to live, learn and grow. Being named Ohio’s best small college town is a reflection of the pride we take in our community, our partnership with the University and the welcoming spirit that defines Bowling Green.”
As Ohio’s best small college town, Bowling Green offers multiple ways for students to engage with and be part of the broader community, serving as the right place for a true college experience.
Through a longstanding connection with BGSU, the city of Bowling Green has collaborated with the University throughout the years on multiple signature events to ensure students are welcomed in the community, including RallyBG on Main, Black Swamp Arts Festival, Firefly Nights, BG Farmers’ Market and the BG Community Holiday Parade.
Bowling Green also provides students and residents with ways to support their health and well-being with four distinct parks, a city pool, a community center and year-round special events and programming. The city also serves as a main entrance to the Slippery Elm Trail, a 13-mile asphalt multi-use trail for walking, bicycling and in-line skating.
Along with its latest accolades, the city of Bowling Green has also been recognized as one of the safest college towns in the nation, the No. 3 most-popular college town in America and as an Ohio Magazine Best Hometown multiple times.