Many veterans are looking to receive an education and enter the civilian workforce once they have returned home. In most cases, these veterans have families and other obligations, which make them seek out military-friendly online programs that will work with their benefits and their schedule. The flexibility that comes with online degree programs allows these military veterans the ability to work at their own pace and gives them the ability to restructure their life to fit their personal needs.
The lifestyles of veterans are often demanding, even after they have retired from the military. Some of our veterans return home to jobs that require twelve-hour shifts that can be overnight (in public service roles such as nurses, EMTs, and law enforcement), making traditional courses undesirable for their lifestyle. The best military-friendly online programs for veterans give them the ability to work with their instructor and classmates around their schedule while gaining the education necessary to further their degree.
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Ranking the Best Military-Friendly Online Colleges for Veterans
College Consensus rankings combine the results of the most respected college ranking systems with the averaged ratings of thousands of real student reviews from around the web to create a unique college meta-ranking. This approach offers a comprehensive and holistic perspective missing from other college rankings. Visit our about page for information on which rankings and review sites were included in this year’s consensus rankings.
The Military-Friendly Online Colleges for Veterans category is limited to schools that, in addition to offering at least three (3) fully-online bachelor’s degree programs, 1.) are active service member Opportunity Colleges members, 2.) have a recognized Student Veteran Organization, 3.) are Yellow Ribbon Program participants, 4.) employ a dedicated support contact for veterans, service members, and families, and 5.) offer credit for military training.
Military and veteran students may also be interested in our ranking of the best traditional colleges for veterans.
The University of Florida (UF) ranks among the best military-friendly online schools in the Sunshine State and beyond. US News recognizes the veteran programs among the nation’s finest offered by this online military-friendly college. Members of the armed forces only pay in-state tuition when attending a military-friendly college online program from the University of Florida.
The Citadel is South Carolina’s flagship military-friendly online college, founded in 1842. Military cadets can complete many baccalaureate-level degrees offered by this online military-friendly college. More than 3,500 students attend classes offered delivered by this military-friendly college online.
The University of Arizona, established as the first school in the state, is also a leading military-friendly online college. The Tucson campus and online platform of this online military-friendly college serve nearly 50,000 students each year. This military-friendly college online participates in the Principles of Excellence, a federal program.
Western Carolina University was established in 1889 as an academy but now operates as one of North Carolina’s leading military-friendly online schools. WCU is the only online military-friendly college in the UNC system. The classes and programs offered by North Carolina’s military-friendly college online are flexible and allow attendance anywhere.
Saint Louis University, as one of Missouri’s leading military-friendly online schools, participates in the Yellow Ribbon program for military veterans. SLU’s online military-friendly college offers discounts for all programs except those in the Medical School. This military-friendly college online is affiliated with the Jesuit Church.
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The University of Iowa is among Iowa’s online military-friendly colleges and the oldest in the state. More than 30,000 students attend online degree classes offered by this Iowa-based military-friendly online college. Iowa’s military-friendly college online is a public research school and the first to become coeducational.
Pennsylvania State University’s World Campus is ranked among the best online military-friendly colleges offering the flexibility needed by military learners. This military-friendly online college offers military support designed for military members and veterans. More than 89,000 students attend classes provided by this military-friendly college online.
George Mason University, founded in the late 1940s, is among the top online military-friendly colleges in the southern United States. This Virginia military-friendly online college maintains four campuses in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Nearly 40,000 students attend online degree classes offered by this military-friendly college online and on-campus.
The University of Utah is the flagship school and leading online military-friendly college in Utah. This military-friendly online college was founded in 1850, making it the oldest in the state. More than 32,000 undergrads and graduate students attend classes each year at this military-friendly college online.
Westfield State University was founded in the 1830s as a teacher’s training school but is now among New England’s best online military-friendly colleges. This military-friendly online college was established by Horace Mann. The western Massachusetts campus is the headquarters of this military-friendly college online, serving more than 4,500 students.
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The University of South Florida is a sea and space grant school that is also among Florida’s leading online military-friendly colleges. This Gulf Coast-based military-friendly online college serves more than 50,000 students each year. USF is considered a top military-friendly college online by Military Times.
The University of Central Florida is a military-friendly online college that is located in central Florida. This Sunshine State-based online military-friendly college serves more than 70,000 across its campuses and online. US News ranks the baccalaureate program among the best veteran’s degrees offered by a military-friendly college online.
Syracuse University was founded in the 1870s as a private research school. SU is now ranked among New York’s top military-friendly online colleges. As one of the Empire State’s online military-friendly colleges, Syracuse University offers a variety of benefits to veterans and military members. This military-friendly college online serves more than 21,000 students.
The University of Kansas was founded in the 1860s as a research school. This military-friendly college online is now the state’s leading (and 2nd largest) military-friendly online college, with a student enrollment that nears 28,000. With the main campus in Lawrence, this online military-friendly college operates four other regional educational facilities.
Auburn University was founded as an all-male school in 1856. Auburn now operates as one of the best online military-friendly colleges in the Peach State. In addition to being Georgia’s military-friendly online college, AU is the flagship campus for the state. This military-friendly college online serves about 31,000 students.
Lewis University was founded by Chicago’s Archdioceses in 1932. LU is ranked among the top Illinois online military-friendly colleges. More than 4,500 students attend classes offered by this military-friendly online college. Military members and veterans apply for free to this military-friendly college online.
Washington State University is the state’s flagship campus and a leading online military-friendly college with multiple campuses. This military-friendly online college serves more than 28,000 students. Wazzu, as a military-friendly college online, is dedicated to helping those who serve in the military.
Drexel University is one of the leading east coast online military-friendly colleges participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program. This military-friendly online college in Philadelphia serves more than 15,100 students. Students enrolled in this military-friendly college online have a variety of programs from which to choose.
The University of Wisconsin-Stout was founded in the 1890s as a public school. Stout now operates as one of the state’s leading online military-friendly colleges. More than 8,250 students attend classes offered by this military-friendly online college. This military-friendly college online is named to honor the late state senator.
Kansas State University was chartered in 1863 as a land-grant school but now ranks among Kansas’ online military-friendly colleges. This military-friendly online college was founded as an agriculture school. More than 20,000 students attend classes offered by this military-friendly college online.
Colorado State University was founded as a public university in 1870. This Kansas’ online military-friendly college is also the flagship campus of Colorado. More than 34,000 students attend classes provided by this Colorado military-friendly online college. This military-friendly college online supports military tuition assistance.
Oregon State University is a land grant and online military-friendly college established in the late 1860s. This is also a four-designated school – sun, sea, and space-grant. This military-friendly college online serves nearly 32,000 students each year.
The University of South Carolina – Columbia is a research school and a top online military-friendly college in the southern US. In addition to being one of SC’s military-friendly online colleges, USC is also the flagship campus. The student enrollment for this military-friendly college online and on-campus exceeds 35,000.
East Carolina University is the fourth largest school but one of the leading online military-friendly colleges in the state. This military-friendly online college serves nearly 30,000 students yearly. Students may receive military transfer credits from this military-friendly college online.
The University of Missouri operates as a space-grant school and one of Missouri’s best online military-friendly colleges. This military-friendly college online offers four campuses and a robust online platform. More than 31,000 students attend classes provided by Missouri’s military-friendly online college.
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Samford University is a private online military-friendly college in suburban Homewood. This Christian military-friendly online college was founded in 1841 as Howard University. The student enrollment for Alabama’s top military-friendly college online exceeds 5,550 each year.
Oklahoma State University is an online military-friendly college located in central Oklahoma. This outstanding military-friendly online college is the state’s flagship campus, as well as a land-, space-, and sun-grant school. More than 24,000 students attend classes offered by this military-friendly college online and on-campus.
Louisiana State University was established in the 1850s as a seminary and military college and is now one of the top Louisiana online military-friendly colleges. This Baton Rouge-based military-friendly online college is the state’s flagship school. The military-friendly college online serves more than 34,100 students each year.
Utah State University is a land-grant and online military-friendly college founded in 1888. More than 27,100 students attend classes offered by this military-friendly online college each year. This military-friendly college online provides the highest level of support to veterans and military members.
Rutgers University’s Newark campus is ranked among the Garden City’s leading online military-friendly colleges. More than 12,000 students attend classes offered by this Newark-based military-friendly online college. Military Times recognizes this military-friendly college online among the top in the nation.
The University of Kentucky is one of Kentucky’s best online military-friendly colleges. This based military-friendly online college was founded in the mid-1860s but now serves more than 30,000 students each year with online programs and campus offerings. Students enrolled in the Lexington-based military-friendly college online received tuition assistance rates.
Bethel University has one of Minnesota’s leading online military-friendly online programs. Founded in 1871, this based military-friendly online college now serves more than 6,450 students each year. This military-friendly college online assists military members and their families in transition.
Temple University is a research university that is also among Pennsylvania’s top military-friendly online colleges. This Philadelphia-based online military-friendly college serves more than 37,100 undergraduate and graduate students. This military-friendly college online offers a tremendously flexible educational opportunity to military members and veterans.
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh has one of Wisconsin’s best military-friendly online programs. Founded in the 1870s as a teacher’s training school, UW is now ranked as an affordable online military-friendly college. This Wisconsin military-friendly college online is dedicated to supporting military members, veterans, and their families.
The University of Arkansas operates as the state’s flagship campus and one of Arkansas’ finest military-friendly colleges. Arkansas’ online military-friendly college serves nearly 30,000 students each year including within their online degree programs. Military and veteran learners receive specific support when attending this military-friendly college online.
DePaul University is a research military-friendly college with online degree programs located in the Windy City. Established as a research school, this online military-friendly college maintains dual Chicago campuses that serve 22,400 students each year. As a military-friendly college online, DePaul offers tuition assistance to military members, veterans, and their families.
Saint Joseph’s University is a multi-campus finest military-friendly online college located in eastern Pennsylvania. This Jesuit-affiliated online military-friendly college serves 6,800 undergraduate and graduate students each year. This military-friendly college online degree programs offer military learners flexible educational opportunities.
The University of Alabama is a public military-friendly online college founded in 1820. This Tuscaloosa-based online military-friendly college is the flagship campus that serves approximately 38,000 students including those within their online programs. This military-friendly college online is the state’s oldest higher learning education institution.
The University of Idaho operates as the state’s flagship campus and a leading military-friendly online college that was founded in the late 1880s. This online military-friendly college was established prior to Idaho’s statehood. More than 8,350 students attend classes offered within their online programs.
Duquesne University is an online military-friendly college that was founded in the 1870s as a Catholic College. This military-friendly online college in Pittsburgh serves more than 9,150 students every year. Students enrolled in these military-friendly online programs can study from anywhere they are located.
Texas Tech University is one of the Lone Star State’s best online military-friendly colleges. This military-friendly online college in Lubbock serves more than 40,250 students each year. Students enrolled in this military-friendly college have the choice of many online programs.
The College of Saint Scholastica is a private Benedictine online military-friendly college situated in Duluth. This Roman Catholic military-friendly online college serves about 4,000 students each year. The campus of this Minnesota-based military-friendly college online is located on the shores of Lake Superior.
The University of Mississippi operates as the state’s flagship online military-friendly college, established in the mid-1840s. Initially, this military-friendly online college was founded by the state legislature but was a hospital during the Civil War. More than 18,000 students attend classes offered by this military-friendly college online.
The University of Texas at Arlington was founded as a college in 1895. UT now operates as one of Texas’ leading online military-friendly colleges. More than 45,600 students attend classes offered by this military-friendly online college. This military-friendly college online is the state’s 4th largest and the biggest in northern Texas.
The University of Cincinnati ranks as one of Ohio’s best online military-friendly colleges. This space-grant this military-friendly online college serves a student enrollment that exceeds 46,550 students. Students enrolled in the programs offered by this Cincinnati military-friendly college online have the flexibility they need to complete the degree.
The University of Maine is recognized as one of the northernmost online military-friendly colleges. One of the best online colleges for veterans, U of Maine was founded in 1865 and is Maine’s largest school. The military-friendly college online serves more than 11,450 undergraduate and graduate students each year.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is one of Alabama’s outstanding online military-friendly colleges. Established in 1969, this military-friendly school now serves about 22,500 students each year. The health system within this military-friendly college online is the largest in academia.
UMass Lowell is a military-friendly online college that ranks among the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ finest. One of the best online colleges for veterans, UMass Lowell is an outstanding institution home to more than 18,200 students every year. This military-friendly school online offers flexible learning options for active duty, veterans, and their families.
The University of Colorado Denver’s Anschutz Medical Campus is among the leading online military-friendly colleges in Colorado. One of the best online colleges for veterans, UC Denver online is home to more than 4,300 students. This military-friendly school online is recognized consistently with a gold award designation.
The University of Missouri (USML) is one of Missouri’s leading online military-friendly colleges. One of the best online colleges for veterans, USML serves more than 15,150 students every year. The military-friendly school online’s veteran’s center offers support to military learners when transitioning to school.
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Can I Get an Online Degree for Free as a Veteran?
Most online degrees offer a discounted tuition rate for veterans. Upon their retirement, veterans are offered a benefit from Veteran Affairs known as the GI Bill, which will cover the cost of the tuition for the veteran. These VA-approved online schools college give veterans the ability to earn a quality education without having to pay out of their personal pocket for the funds. The GI Bill is available for veterans to use in either traditional classrooms or online classrooms. Most online college programs are considered equivalent to traditional programs and recognized by Veteran Affairs when paying for the classes.
There are some institutions that offer free tuition for veterans that do not require the use of their GI Bill, allowing veterans to save it for dependents in the future. These programs are known as the Yellow Ribbon Program, and they offer free online college for military and veteran students who are acclimating to civilian life after returning from the military. Still others offer scholarships just for veterans and their families. Depending on the residing state of the veteran, they are able to review a list of schools that participate in this program and determine which online program fits their career goals and needs.
Are Active Duty Personnel Eligible to Learn Online?
Active Duty personnel have the ability to further their education online, and many find this opportunity rewarding. The best online college for active-duty military allows these students to access their courses from bases and countries across the globe. This gives them the ability to continue their education without a time-lapse, and they are also able to continue interacting with others through the classroom forum. They can access their classroom around their work schedule, and while their time zone may be different, they are still able to gain that interaction and have access to resources around the clock.
Some of these students were able to complete some college credit prior to joining the military or even during the military from nearby institutions. Credit transfer is something that many active-duty personnel consider when searching the best college for military credit transfer, which many of these programs are available online.
Some Active Duty Personnel wants to advance their current education and seek out the best online masters programs for military personnel. These programs are often designed to fit their leadership roles and the necessary military industries such as intelligence, emergency management, and engineering depending on their career field. Like the undergraduate programs, they are provided the same online conveniences of resources and interaction despite their current location.
What Are the Benefits for Military Spouses to Learn Online?
Like active duty and veterans, military spouses have the ability to also learn online. Most online degree schools that are military friendly understand that one of the best ways to support military personnel, whether they are active or a veteran, is to support their spouse with discounted or free education. Many of these spouses are located across the globe, stationed at bases with their active-duty spouses where they are currently working or based out of while on assignment. Because their lives are also unconventional, online learning gives the spouses the ability to continue their personal education and preventing a time-lapse, so they are able to resume their career once they return to civilian life.
These spouses are able to review the best online colleges for military spouses and are able to use their spouses, GI Bill to cover their tuition if they need it. Like the Yellow Ribbon Program for active-duty members and veterans, some colleges offer free online courses for military spouses that give them the ability to interact with others while furthering their education. It is essential for spouses to have the same ability to continue their education and readapt to civilian life, since they, too, sacrifice a normal life to support their military spouse.
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