Founded in 1845, BW was one of the first colleges to admit students without regard to race or gender - a spirit of inclusiveness which continues today.
For 30 consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked BW among the Midwest's Best Universities. The rankings recognize BW for undergraduate teaching, innovation, social mobility and value.
U.S. News names BW the Best College for Veterans in the Midwest.
BW is highly ranked by Washington Monthly, Forbes and Money magazine.
The BW Riemenschneider Bach Institute - which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019-20 - is one of only five institutions in North and South America containing manuscripts written in Bach's own hand.
The University's commitment to sustainability is recognized as a Silver STARS*-rated AASHE** member institution by the international Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). BW teaches students in the sustainability major in the problem-solving methodology of Triple Bottom Line thinking — people, planet and prosperity. Campus sustainability efforts include a wind turbine, recycling and composting program, LEED certified buildings, solar power and five geothermal fields to heat and cool campus buildings.
BW received the Collegiate Purple Star Award for its ongoing efforts to support students with military backgrounds. Universities with the Collegiate Purple Star Award designation provide service members, veterans and military-connected students the necessary support system and guidance to pursue higher education.
A distinctive collection of programs fosters entrepreneurship skills to prepare students for innovation and career agility.
The Students
96% of our graduates find employment or enter the graduate school of their choice within six months of graduation.
47% of alumni report earning a graduate degree during their lifetime.
Each year, BW students contribute more than 5,000 hours of service to the Greater Cleveland area through BW's community engagement programs. Additionally, BW students contribute more than 5,000 hours outside the region on BW-sponsored Alternative Break trips.
68% of our graduates choose to remain in Ohio, providing an educated workforce, community leaders and volunteers.
The Yellow Jacket athletic teams have demonstrated a long-standing tradition of excellence in the classroom and in athletic competition.
Since 1969-70, BW has 129 all-time CoSIDA Academic All-Americans - second in Ohio and 13th nationally among NCAA Division III colleges.
Men's Wrestling: Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) champions for the past seven seasons.
Women's Basketball: 30 consecutive winning seasons and four "Elite 8" appearances.
Women's Track & Field: 2016 NCAA Division III Women's Indoor Track & Field national champions and 2016 NCAA Division III Women's Outdoor Track & Field runner-up.
Football: 55 winning seasons in the last 60 years.
The vocal performance program received first-place awards from both OPERA America and the National Opera Association for recent performances.
Teacher Education: Graduates at BW score above the state and national averages on the Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA).
Physician Assistant (PA) program: Graduates have achieved a near 100 percent first-time pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) every year since May 2015 when BW's first class of the PA program graduated.
Nursing (ABSN): Graduates pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) at rates that place BW among the top-performing nursing programs in the state.
Computer Science: Northeast Ohio's first baccalaureate software engineering major, developed with input from area technology employers. The Cybersecurity Team competes nationally and finished sixth out of 95 teams competing in a U.S Department of Energy Cyber Force event.
Experiential Learning: Every BW student applies what he/she learns in the classroom through experiential learning - travel, service, internships, field experience, research, clinics or other hands-on experience - required for all degrees.
