The Ohio State University (OSU) is a coeducational public research university in the state of Ohio. The university was founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the largest university in the United States. Ohio State is currently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the best public university in Ohio, among the top 60 universities in the United States, and among the top 20 public universities in the United States.US News 2006 Public University Rankings. Ohio State has been officially designated as the flagship institution of the state's public system of higher educationDiscussion of "Flagship Universities" by UC-Berkeley Chancellor Berdahl by the newly centralized University System of Ohio.Reporting on relevant press conference with "flagship" quote. Dayton Daily News Editorial addressing flagship issue.