Wall Street Journal ranks Wright State top public university in Ohio for student experience

Wright State University was ranked the top public university in Ohio for student experience in the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 America’s Best Colleges rankings.

The student experience category recognizes the best colleges to provide a great experience for students while attending. According to the Wall Street Journal, the ranking was powered by one of the largest ever independent surveys of verified college students and recent graduates in the United States. Colleges were scored on various metrics, including student satisfaction with campus facilities, student satisfaction with the sense of community, emotional health and mental health support, inclusion of students with lower family incomes and inclusion of students with disabilities.

The Wall Street Journal also ranked Wright State No. 3 among Ohio public universities in several other categories:

• Best salaries
• Best value
• Social mobility

“Wright State is dedicated to creating an environment in which students can build the skills, confidence and connections they need to thrive in their chosen careers,” said Wright State President Sue Edwards. “The Wall Street Journal’s rankings celebrate the transformative Wright State experience — where education and opportunity meet hands-on learning and a dedicated support system designed to help students turn their aspirations into reality.”

Wright State’s student-centered approach combines academic excellence with accessibility, offering more than 100 undergraduate degrees and comprehensive support services.

Tutoring, academic coaching and writing support are available in the modern Student Success Center, while experiential opportunities — such as internships, research and service-learning — connect classroom learning to professional practice. Learning extends beyond the classroom through hands-on experiences in distinctive settings like the 220-acre campus woods and the Data Analytics and Visualization Environment (DAVE) Lab. Partnerships with Premier Health and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base open pathways to research and careers, while study abroad programs help students broaden their perspectives.

Wright State offers a vibrant campus life with more than 140 clubs and organizations that encourage involvement and leadership. Signature events such as Weeks of Welcome, Fall Fest, Homecoming and April Craze, plus recreational options ranging from intramural sports to e-sports, bring students together and build community.

The university fosters a welcoming environment where students from all backgrounds can thrive. Wright State’s commitment to inclusivity is reflected in cultural events and tailored support services for international, nontraditional and veteran and military-connected students, ensuring every student finds their place in the Wright State community.

The Wall Street Journal America’s Best Colleges 2026 ranks undergraduate institutions by the value they provide to their students, based on learning environment, years to pay off the net price, degree completion rates, the likelihood of higher salaries post-graduation and diversity. The rankings of the top 500 universities are based on a survey of more than 120,000 undergraduate students and recent alumni and student outcome metrics.