Despite a steady downsizing in personnel since the mid-1950s, the U.S. military remains one of the largest armed forces in the world. According to data from the U.S. Department of Defense, roughly 1.3 million men and women served in the military in 2016. A recent report by the U.S. Census Bureau also reveals there are 21.8 million veterans of the armed forces.
In response to these high numbers, the federal government has launched several programs and initiatives aimed at veterans and active-duty military personnel who wish to attend college and earn an accredited degree. The National Conference of State Legislatures notes that more than 900,000 veterans and military servicemembers received education benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs between 2000 and 2012; the largest increase was recorded between 2009 and 2010, after the Post 9/11 GI Bill took effect; one provision of this bill ― known as the Yellow Ribbon program ― is designed to reduce out-of-pocket tuition costs for individuals who have enlisted since 9/11. Additionally, a joint program known as Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) eases the credit transferral and degree completion processes for active-duty and military reservist students. Other academic perks include ‘prior-learning’ credits awarded for those who have completed official military trainings, dedicated student organizations for veterans and active-duty servicemembers and financial aid opportunities reserved for students with an armed forces background.
Online degree programs offer an ideal academic pathway for many of today’s military servicemembers and veterans. The asynchronous (or self-paced) curriculum of most online courses is conducive for active-duty personnel and reservists who must balance their schoolwork with service-related commitments. This flexible format is also helpful for Armed Forces veterans who are seeking a college education in order to transition from the military into civilian life. And like their brick-and-mortar counterparts, online colleges and universities provide services and resources aimed at military and veteran students. These include personal counseling, academic advisement, and career planning ― all delivered within a convenient virtual setting.
This ranking of the best online schools for military service members and veterans takes all of these programs and services into account. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive academic resource for military veterans, active service members, reservists and military dependents across the country.
Accredited Online Schools for
A participant in the federal GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon programs, the University of Nebraska-Lincolnoffers support to students interested in continuing their education after periods of active service. UNL made the maximum possible commitment to the Yellow Ribbon initiative, helping students bridge the financial gaps that arise when tuition and fees exceed the assistance offered by the post-9/11 GI Bill.
In response to these high numbers, the federal government has launched several programs and initiatives aimed at veterans and active-duty military personnel who wish to attend college and earn an accredited degree. The National Conference of State Legislatures notes that more than 900,000 veterans and military servicemembers received education benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs between 2000 and 2012; the largest increase was recorded between 2009 and 2010, after the Post 9/11 GI Bill took effect; one provision of this bill ― known as the Yellow Ribbon program ― is designed to reduce out-of-pocket tuition costs for individuals who have enlisted since 9/11. Additionally, a joint program known as Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) eases the credit transferral and degree completion processes for active-duty and military reservist students. Other academic perks include ‘prior-learning’ credits awarded for those who have completed official military trainings, dedicated student organizations for veterans and active-duty servicemembers and financial aid opportunities reserved for students with an armed forces background.
Online degree programs offer an ideal academic pathway for many of today’s military servicemembers and veterans. The asynchronous (or self-paced) curriculum of most online courses is conducive for active-duty personnel and reservists who must balance their schoolwork with service-related commitments. This flexible format is also helpful for Armed Forces veterans who are seeking a college education in order to transition from the military into civilian life. And like their brick-and-mortar counterparts, online colleges and universities provide services and resources aimed at military and veteran students. These include personal counseling, academic advisement, and career planning ― all delivered within a convenient virtual setting.
This ranking of the best online schools for military service members and veterans takes all of these programs and services into account. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive academic resource for military veterans, active service members, reservists and military dependents across the country.
Accredited Online Schools for
Military Servicemembers & Veterans
1. University Of Florida
Consistently ranked as one the best online schools for military students, the University of Floridaoffers a broad range of distance programs and a full suite of support services for military personnel. The University of Florida maintains three departments dedicated to assisting students with military backgrounds: the Office of Student Veteran Services, the Collegiate Veterans Success Center, and the Collegiate Veterans Society. Through these departments, students can liaise with federal, state, and local government support services and forge social and professional connections with other veterans.
This Gainesville-based institution also offers out-of-state fee waivers to qualified military students, allowing them to pay in-state tuition rates. Military students can also receive 100% federal tuition assistance to finance their educations without taking on loans or debt. Depending on a student’s service record, they may be able to obtain course credit for military experience, which can be applied toward their electives.
2. North Caroline State University at Raleigh
Founded in 1887, Raleigh-based North Carolina State University currently has more than 34,000 students, making it the largest higher-education network in the Carolinas. It is also one of the top online colleges for military students. In total, over 90 asynchronous degree, diploma, and licensure programs are available. Among these, the school’s leadership in the public sector program is particularly popular among online students with military backgrounds.
NC State’s Military and Veteran Services department recently opened a new Military and Veterans Resource Center, and the school regularly hosts hiring events and other networking opportunities for military students. In-state students with military backgrounds can have all of their tuition fees covered under Chapter 33-post 9/11 benefits. In the fall of 2016, NC State also joined the Yellow Ribbon program, which enables qualified out-of-state students to receive up to $11,400 per year in tuition assistance from the Veterans Administration (VA).
3. University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida is one of the most military-friendly online colleges and universities in the United States. The Orlando-based school offers a comprehensive range of student services for military veterans through its Veterans Academic Resource Center. Active and former military service personnel can access civilian life readjustment services and psychological support programs through the university’s Veteran Services office. Distance learners have the same access to these resources as on-campus students.
Beyond the standard federal tuition assistance benefits, UCF’s military students can also access dedicated tutoring and academic advising services, as well as early registration opportunities. UCF exceeds the minimum “military friendly” ratings in six key categories: academic policies and compliance, admissions and orientation, culture and commitment, financial aid assistance, graduation and career services, and military student support and retention. UCF earned a perfect 100% rating in all six of these categories.
4. Texas A&M University
Regarded as one of the best military online colleges for veterans and active servicemembers, Texas A&M University has served student veterans since 1919. The College Station-based school supports military students through two dedicated departments: the Military Admissions Office and the Veteran Resource & Support Center. The Military Admissions Office provides armed forces applicants with dedicated advisors who help prospective students create competitive admissions applications. Founded in 2012, the Veteran Resource & Support Center offers referrals to campus- and community-based resources for veterans; assistance transitioning into the Texas A&M community; and workshops, social events, and networking opportunities. Qualified online students in Texas A&M’s asynchronous distance-learning programs enjoy full access to these resources. Both departments are backed by Texas A&M’s Veteran Services Office, which helps on-campus and online students maximize their tuition and financial aid benefits. One of the school’s unique programs is the Hazelwood Exemption, which grants out-of-state veterans access to in-state tuition rates and up to 150 credit hours of tuition exemptions.
5. Northeastern University
Northeastern University is a private research institution based in Boston, Massachusetts. The school emphasizes experiential learning and has made a concerted effort to help veterans and military students since World War I.
In 2009, Northeastern University pledged the maximum allowable amount of $2 million to its Yellow Ribbon program. In 2015, it opened the Center for the Advancement of Veterans and Servicemembers. This office helps graduating students with military backgrounds find employment; Northeastern’s military alumni have a 90% employment or graduate school admission rate within nine months of matriculation. This center is the first of its kind in the United States and is fully available to online students.
In 2009, Northeastern University pledged the maximum allowable amount of $2 million to its Yellow Ribbon program. In 2015, it opened the Center for the Advancement of Veterans and Servicemembers. This office helps graduating students with military backgrounds find employment; Northeastern’s military alumni have a 90% employment or graduate school admission rate within nine months of matriculation. This center is the first of its kind in the United States and is fully available to online students.
6. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
The MBA programs at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities are especially popular and are designed to be accessible to veterans and active or former servicemembers. The school’s unique Military REACH service provides extensive support to military veterans (and their families) who are transitioning back into civilian life. Additionally, the University of Minnesota maintains a flexible and compassionate policy in situations where online students must interrupt their studies to honor their active service commitments.
All veterans with at least 90 days of active service duty qualify for in-state tuition rates, and the school’s participation in federal and state tuition reimbursement programs can dramatically reduce the cost of online attendance. Transfer credit opportunities are also available to incoming military students with previous educational experiences. These factors combine to make the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities one of America’s best military-friendly online colleges.
7. University of Southern Califaornia
The Los Angeles-based University of Southern California has assisted American veterans since World War I, when the school’s campus was temporarily repurposed as a military training academy. Students enrolled in the school’s online programs enjoy a large amount of flexibility, including the opportunity to complete coursework and earn a degree even if they are deployed to active duty. Some of USC’s most popular programs are its online MBA, geographic information science, military social work, cyber security, and public administration programs.
USC accepts full GI Bill benefits and is a participant in the federal Yellow Ribbon military student funding program. Military veterans, reservists, and their dependents are served through USC’s Veterans Resource Center, which offers a wide range of support resources that are available to online students. Additionally, servicemembers who previously completed comparable coursework at an accredited U.S. military academy may qualify for transfer credits. One of the nation’s most prominent higher-learning institutions, USC is also one of the best military-friendly colleges online.
8. Pennsylvania State University
Recognized as one of the leading military-friendly schools online, Penn State maintains a Military Grant-in-Aid initiative specifically designed for veterans and active servicemembers enrolled in distance-learning programs. All USAF members, including reservists and National Guard members, qualify for Military Grant-in-Aid assistance, which reduces tuition rates by as much as 44%; these reductions do not count toward other federal and state military education benefits. Students can apply to more than 125 online programs, all of which offer asynchronous learning opportunities to provide flexibility.
Penn State’s Military Support Team is made up of full-time, dedicated staff members who help military veterans succeed in both on-campus and online programs. Students can also receive credit for certain professional and life experiences, allowing incoming applicants to parlay their service time into course credits to significantly reduce the time required to complete their degree.
9. University of Nebraska - Lincoln
A participant in the federal GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon programs, the University of Nebraska-Lincolnoffers support to students interested in continuing their education after periods of active service. UNL made the maximum possible commitment to the Yellow Ribbon initiative, helping students bridge the financial gaps that arise when tuition and fees exceed the assistance offered by the post-9/11 GI Bill.
The school’s administration maintains a dedicated Military & Veteran Success Center, which offers student aid, tuition assistance, and academic support programs. In addition, the UNL Student Veterans Organization provides mentorship services, work-study programs, and peer-based community resources to all members of the UNL community, including those who study online.
Another policy that makes UNL one of the top military-friendly schools online is its generous transfer credit policy. Both academic and military training experiences can be applied towards certain UNL degrees; to be considered for these transfer credits, a student must provide a valid Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214) form.
10. Missouri University of Science and Technology
Based in the city of Rolla, Missouri University of Science and Technology maintains a close affiliation with Fort Leonard Wood, which is a military training center located in the Missouri Ozarks. Missouri S&T has a co-op agreement with Fort Leonard Wood’s Truman Education Center and Engineering School, providing educational opportunities that can lead to master’s degrees in four engineering disciplines. The school also has a compassionate withdrawal policy for military students who get called out on active duty, including a 100% tuition reimbursement option. Additionally, current and former servicemembers who apply to traditional or online military science programs at Missouri S&T automatically qualify for advanced standing.
Another aspect that makes Missouri S&T one of the best online colleges for military students is its Veteran Services department. The school’s strong and longstanding links with local military facilities allows it to offer a more robust and comprehensive range of support, mentoring, and transition assistance services than many other educational institutions.
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