Ohio University named one of America’s best-in-state employers by Forbes

Ohio University has been recognized by Forbes and Statista as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2025, a recognition based entirely on anonymous feedback from those who know OHIO best – its employees.

“This recognition affirms that Ohio University’s greatest strength is the talent, commitment and care our employees bring to their work every day,” said President Lori Stewart Gonzalez. “We are deeply honored that our faculty and staff have affirmed OHIO as one of the best places to work. Moving forward with our Dynamic Strategy, we are committed to ensuring that OHIO remains a place where our employees feel valued, supported, and connected to our mission.”

According to Forbes, OHIO ranked 36th in the state out of 100 employers and fourth in the state for public universities.

Additionally, Forbes once again recognized OHIO as one of the nation’s best mid-size employers earlier this year, jumping up 17 spots from 2024 to 108 out of the 498 ranked companies in 2025.

The annual list, published at Forbes.com, ranks employers across all industries and sectors who go above and beyond in cultivating strong workplace cultures, supportive environments and rewarding careers. This recognition is based on the experiences and opinions of those employed at OHIO.

Ohio University’s employee-first approach continues to set it apart, with a workplace culture rooted in inclusion, innovation and support. The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports employees at every stage of life and career, while also placing a strong emphasis on professional development, career growth and advancement, all which reflect OHIO’s ongoing commitment to investing in its people.

Key benefits include:

• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and prescription coverage
• Generous paid time off—including holidays, vacation, sick leave, and winter break
• Tuition waivers for employees and eligible dependents
• Robust retirement plans, including OPERS, STRS, and the Alternative Retirement Plan
• Paid parental leave and adoption assistance
• Employee discounts on wellness services, technology, travel, and even pet insurance
• Access to continuing education and professional development through tuition-free Ohio University courses

This recognition also aligns with Ohio University’s Dynamic Strategy, which outlines “Work” as one of its core pillars. As part of this strategic commitment, the University is actively investing in a stronger employee experience, prioritizing recruitment, retention, development and workplace well-being. Recent efforts include freezing employee health benefit costs through FY27 and launching a new Center for OHIO Employee Excellence to support onboarding and training and hiring, among other initiatives.

“We’re proud to see Ohio University once again recognized by Forbes as a leading employer in higher education, a reflection of our ongoing commitment to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported and engaged,” said Vice President of Human Resources Mary Elizabeth Miles. “This recognition also underscores the impact of our Dynamic Strategy Work Pillar, which is helping to drive meaningful progress in strengthening our work culture and enhancing the overall employee experience.”

Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to survey more than 160,000 employees who work for a company of at least 500 people within the United States. Survey respondents—hailing from all 50 states and Washington D.C.—were asked how likely they were to recommend their employer on a scale of zero to 10 and were asked to evaluate their workplace based on criteria including wage parity, work culture, paths to professional advancement and whether the employer takes action on serious issues. Participants were also asked to evaluate their previous employers (within the last two years) and organizations they knew within their industry or through friends or family who work there.

To learn more about working at OHIO, visit: ohio.edu/hr/jobs/working-ohio.