Whether it’s readjusting to civilian life or recovering from an injury, military veterans returning to college face unique challenges. “If colleges are not prepared to help transition soldiers from combat, you do run the risk of losing an entire generation,” said Tom Tarantino of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, during a Military Times interview.
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According to the Military Times, “studies show that some strategies, such as specialized orientation programs, helping veterans connect with one another, training faculty and staff on challenges veterans face, and offering more counseling and financial aid, help keep veterans in school. But surveys also show that many schools are lacking in such efforts.†With this in mind, there are several colleges that not only help veterans and active duty service members navigate the college admission process, they also assist them in completing their degrees.
The Military Times compiled a list of the top ranked Four-year colleges for veterans. The rankings were based on the school survey responses, and data compiled by the U.S. Education Department, including academic success measures. Here is a snapshot of the list below.
- University of Nebraska Omaha – Omaha, Neb.
- Eastern Kentucky University – Richmond, Ky.
- CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice — New York
- D’Youville College – Buffalo, N.Y
- University of South Florida – Tampa, Fla.
- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology – Rapid City, S.D.
- Texas A&M University – College Station, Texas
- Florida State University – Tallahassee, Fla.
- California State University, San Bernardino, San Bernardino, Calif.
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, N.J.
- South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D
- Armstrong State University, Savannah, Ga.
- University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio
- Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va.
- St. Petersburg College, St. Petersburg, Fla.
- Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas
- Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Ky.
- Western Illinois University, Macomb, Ill.
- Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
- California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, Calif.