America’s Top Military-Friendly Colleges

Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University offers more than 100 online degree and certificate options through NAU Online. These include: 70 programs concentrated in administration, business and management; 34 in the social sciences; 29 in education; and 20 in health professions. A wide range of specializations and minors for online undergraduate and graduate degrees are also available online.

NAU honors the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance (TA) program, which may cover up to 100% of tuition and other educational costs for qualifying military personnel and veterans. Other perks for military students who attend NAU include tuition deferment options, Yellow Ribbon benefits and coverage under the DEA program for survivors and dependents. Online and in-person 'Student Veterans Success Orientations' sessions are provided for all first-time students with a military background. Online military students who attend NAU will also be granted full access to the Veteran Success Center, an on-campus facility featuring a job board, academic and career counseling services, a space for group meetings and a 'safe space' where military personnel and veterans can gather without disruptions.

Online students at this Alabama institution can select from more than 50 online undergraduate degree and certificate programs. These web-based options include: 14 Associate of General Science (AGS) tracks in subjects like aviation operations, international business, history and social science; forensics-oriented degrees in accounting and criminal justice; and multiple pathways for hospitality, sports and tourism management.

Troy has provided educational opportunities to military servicemembers and veterans since the 1950s. The university is currently an educational partner with all five major branches of the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard). Several branch-specific programs are offered for military students, including: the General Education Mobility Initiative and Air University Associate to Bachelor Co-Operative degree for Air Force personnel; the Enlisted Education Program (EEP) and Green to Gold initiatives for army personnel; the U.S. Marine Corps Leadership Scholar Program (LSP); and the Navy College Distance Learning Partnership (NCDLP).'TROY for Troops' centers are located at the Troy and Montgomery campuses; an online TROY for Troops center is also available through Blackboard.

A total of 16 online bachelor's and master's degrees are available at Utah State, including programs in cutting-edge fields like agribusiness, communicative disorders and deaf education, dietetics administration and horticulture. Additionally, 20 certificates, professional endorsements and undergraduate minors are offered online. Utah State earned spots on both the 'Best Online Bachelor's Programs' and 'Best Online Grad Education Programs' rankings published in 2016 by U.S. News & World Report.

Since 2010, Utah State has been voted as a 'Top Military Friendly School' by the KMI Research Group due to the university's 'enrollment rates, services offered, and financial opportunities available'. Utah State is included on the G.I. Jobs list, as well. Additionally, key faculty members have been trained to address specific concerns for military students; the university also features an on-campus veterans organization, dedicated offices for military and veterans affairs, free tutoring services and a relaxed course withdrawal policy for active-duty and reservist students. Students transitioning from military to civilian life can contact the Utah State Veterans Resources Office (VRO) to learn about reduced tuition rates, VA benefits and other issues related to financing their education.

Western Kentucky University's extensive distance learning programs include more than 90 accredited online programs. These options include: master's degrees in nine different academic disciplines; six '2+2' bachelor's programs designed for students who have already earned an associate degree; and 10 undergraduate minors; and more than 40 undergraduate and graduate certificates and endorsements.

The WKU Office of Veterans Affairs is not headed by the Department of Veterans Affairs; instead, the office serves as an intermediary between the DVA and WKU students who are eligible for military and veteran benefits. Tuition deferments are available for military personnel and veterans whose G.I. Bill benefits have not been activated yet; the deferment period lasts until the end of the semester. WKU has been named as a 'Best for Vets 4-Year College' by Military Times Edge magazine for the last six consecutive years, and the university also earned a spot among the 'Best Online Colleges for Veterans' ranking published in 2016 by U.S. News & World Report.

Online students who attend this Michigan-based university may choose from nearly 50 web-based degree and certificate programs. These options include 26 undergraduate and graduate pathways in business-oriented fields; 10 tracks for health professions studies; nine technology pathways; and two graduate-level programs in the arts and sciences. As of Fall 2016, all undergraduate students at Davenport pursuing a fully online degree will qualify for a 33% tuition discount.

As a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC), Davenport offers a wide range of services dedicated to military students. Active-duty personnel, veterans and military dependents all receive discounted tuition rates, and those who have received military training may also qualify for prior-learning credits; students may use these credits to complete their associate or bachelor's degree program within one or two years. In addition to the book stipend included with Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits, Davenport also offers textbook vouchers for qualifying students. Davenport's services for military personnel and veterans have been recognized by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, Military Times, Military Advanced Education & Transition and the Student Veterans of America (SVA).

This Missouri-based institution offers an extensive number of academic programs for online students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. These options include: 17 degrees and certificates in business administration; 11 pathways in criminal justice; and four Master of Education tracks. Nearly 16,000 Columbia students across the globe take at least one online class each academic year.

Programs aimed at students who are active-duty servicemembers, veterans or military dependents are delivered through the college's Ousley Family Veteran Services Center; the center also handles VA benefits processing for military students enrolled at the main campus or online. Columbia also offers 'Green Zone' training modules designed to educate staff and faculty members about the specific needs of students who have served in the military, while the college's Military Transition Team (MTT) works to support veterans who are making the move into civilian student life. Online students at Columbia can access military-oriented online video seminars and presentations through the Virtual Veteran Services division; these programs tackle topics like financial aid opportunities for veteran students and administrative policies for active-duty servicemembers.

Online programs at East Tennessee State University are largely designed for students pursuing careers in healthcare or education. A total of 13 fully online bachelor's degree programs are available, including pathways in allied health leadership, cardiopulmonary science, radiologic science, dental hygiene and an RN to BSN track for nurses. Teaching endorsements in English as a Second Language (ESL), math and special education are also offered online, as well as primarily online master's degrees in seven different subjects.

In addition to Yellow Ribbon benefits, active-duty servicemembers and veterans enrolled at ETSU may qualify for financial assistance through the Buc Hero Scholarship; this program covers up to 100% of tuition costs for students who are ineligible for Yellow Ribbon coverage. Additional financial aid opportunities include: the Tennessee Reconnect + Complete program, which is geared toward students who have completed college courses but not earned a degree; the Helping Heroes Grant, which awards up to $1,000 per semester for full-time students; and the Veterans Benefits Scholarship, which awards three $2,000 scholarships to students with 'innovative ideas' for improving military veteran benefits. ETSU is also home to The Veteran's Voice, a monthly online newsletter published by the university's Office of Veterans Affairs.

Several undergraduate pathways are offered through PLATO: ONLINE LEARNING, the distance learning branch of Massachusetts-based Westfield State University. These programs include bachelor's degrees in business, sociology, history, liberal studies, criminal justice and psychology, as well as online undergraduate minors art, management, psychology and sociology. Additionally, professional development courses are available online for K-12 educators.

Under statewide law, veterans and National Guard personnel from Massachusetts may qualify for tuition waivers in state-supported undergraduate courses. The Massachusetts Public Service Grant Program also eases the cost of higher education for the spouses and children of military servicemembers who have been killed in the line of duty or are currently missing in action. Westfield is a Yellow Ribbon school. In addition to a Veterans' Services Center located on campus, the university also offers counseling, tutoring and other dedicated services for military students. A full list of services, student organizations and other resources for veterans and active-duty servicemembers is available online.

Originally founded in 1946 to train soldiers returning home from WWII, New England College continues its tradition of military-friendly education with a wide assortment of affordable, self-paced online courses and degree programs. Online bachelor's degrees are offered in 10 different subjects, including multiple concentration options for business administration, communication, criminal justice and psychology majors. Other pathways include: eight online associate degrees; and more than 20 online undergraduate and graduate certificates.

Roughly 15% of this institution's overall student body have served in the U.S. military, and the college has been named as a 'Military Friendly School' by G.I. Jobs. NEC offers unlimited Yellow Ribbon benefits to qualifying students. Additionally, the university provides the Russell Durgin Military Service Scholarship; named for a servicemember killed in action in Afghanistan, this award is designed to 'bridge the gap' between total undergraduate tuition and educational costs covered by the G.I. Bill. NEC recently unveiled a Veterans Resource Center, which was funded with grant support from the NH Commission on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

A total of 35 online degree programs are offered through this Ohio-based institution. Franklin is a leading destination in business education, with 24 online bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees available. Other options include pathways in healthcare, information technology and criminal justice. With the exception of programs with clinical or practicum requirements, all coursework is delivered fully online in an asynchronous format.

Active-duty servicemembers and veterans enrolled at Franklin may be entitled to full Yellow Ribbons tuition coverage; the university does not impose a Yellow Ribbons cap, allowing all eligible students to receive these benefits in full. Students with a military background may also be eligible for Training Time, a tuition assistance program that awards financial aid based on the veteran student's enrollment status; and the Ohio National Guard Scholarship program, which awards more than $4,700 each trimester to Army and National Guard personnel enrolled at accredited higher learning institutions. Additionally, military dependents receive a 15% tuition discount on undergraduate degree programs and a 10% discount on graduate programs.

A wide range of online degree pathways are available through this Ohio-based institution. The university's associate and bachelor's online programs are largely concentrated in business, healthcare and computer science, while master's tracks are focused on fields like criminal justice, engineering, education and nursing. A total of 17 endorsements and certificates are delivered online, as well.

According to its mission statement, the Military Service Center at the University of Toledo "recognizes the sacrifices of our service members and their families and is dedicated to helping them achieve continued success in life". The center's services include military benefits processing, academic and personal counseling, advocacy and student networking. In addition to standard G.I. Bill benefits, University of Toledo students may also qualify for the Ohio National Guard Scholarship; this award provides 100% tuition coverage for eligible members of the Army and Air Force. The brick-and-mortar campus features 'Veteran's Plaza', a military memorial erected in 2009. The University of Toledo also became the first higher learning institution to dedicate unoccupied seats at its athletic venue for veterans who have served as prisoners of war or are currently missing in action.

Based in the town of Killeen (also home to Fort Hood, Central Texas College offers more than 60 online programs. Degree options are largely concentrated in vocational fields, such as applied technology, medical coding and billing, office technology and paralegal and legal assistant. Additionally, students majoring in business administration, computer science or hospitality management may choose from multiple degree specializations. More than 30 online professional certifications are available, as well.

Dedicated programs of study are available at Central Texas College for three military branches. Students in the U.S. Army may transfer up to 49 credits for military education and training experiences. The college lists 32 Army-specific degree plans; the majority of these programs are concentrated in vocational fields, such as agriculture, automotive collision, fire protection and office technology. The Marine Corps Career College Program (MCCCP) features 23 online associate degrees and 29 online certificates aimed at Marine Corps personnel with a military training background; courses in these pathways span from eight to 16 weeks in length per term. Finally, Central Texas College lists six online associate degrees and one certificate designed for students who are active or former Navy personnel. The college's website features online student centers for Coast Guard and Air Force personnel, as well.

Founded in 1923, this member of the Texas State University system is headquartered in the city of Beaumont. Lamar offers online bachelor's degrees in the arts and sciences, fine arts and communication, engineering and business. In addition, online master's degrees are available in arts and sciences, business, education, engineering, counseling and public health.

Equality for military students is a top priority at Lamar, where "[v]eterans are afforded the same rights and must meet all academic requirements and maintain the same academic standards as any student" attending the university. Under the Texas Hazlewood Exemption Act, military veterans and dependents originally from the state of Texas are eligible for up to 150 hours of tuition exemption; the Legacy Act stipulation enables certain qualified candidates to donate unused exemption hours to their children when they attend college. Lamar is home to a chapter of the Student Veterans Association; learn more about this chapter on its official Facebook page.

Located in the Milwaukee suburbs, Cardinal Stritch is a private Catholic institution that has offered online degrees and courses since 2006. A total of six degree programs are available online through the university: Bachelor of Science degrees in respiratory therapy, business management and management; an RN to BSN track for registered nurses; an MBA; and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership.

In addition to Yellow Ribbon and other federal benefits, military personnel and spouses receive a 25% tuition discount when they enroll at Cardinal Stritch. The school's Military Education branch works in cooperation with the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure students receive college credit for valid military training and experiences; students who have served in all five major branches of the Armed Forces and/or the Department of Defense may qualify for prior-learning assessment credit. Other veteran-oriented resources are available through the university's career services, wellness, academic support and disability services centers.

Fully accredited online degree programs at this Chicago institution are offered through two academic divisions. The College of Professional Studies and Advancement features a total of 13 undergraduate and graduate online pathways; these include six bachelor's degrees, three MBA tracks and a doctorate in higher education leadership. Four master's degrees and one doctorate degree program are available online through the National College of Education, as well.

NLU students who have served in the Air Force, Air Force Reserve or Air National Guard may participate in a special joint-degree program; the Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative NLU Partnership Program (AU-ABC) was created through a partnership between the university and the Community College of the Air Force. NLU is a Yellow Ribbon school; veterans who do not qualify for Yellow Ribbon benefits will receive a 15% tuition discount. Additionally, the university offers a 25% tuition reduction for all active-duty servicemembers and a 15% discount for veterans, reservists, National Guard members and military dependents. Eligible military personnel will also receive textbook vouchers through NLU.

Established in 1881, this private Catholic institution is headquartered in downtown San Antonio. A total of 27 fully online and hybrid degree programs are offered at UIW. These options include an undergraduate teacher certification and bachelor's degrees in business administration, health sciences, criminal justice and RN to BSN nursing, as well as five Master of Administration and seven MBA tracks.

UIW launched its Yellow Ribbon during the 2016-17 academic year. In addition to benefits through the DEA initiative, the university also honors the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship; this award is reserved for children and spouses of servicemembers who have died in the line of duty since Sept. 10, 2001. Although some candidates may qualify for both programs, they must choose one; a side-by-side graph comparison for these two benefits programs is available online. The UIW Center for Veterans Affairs abides by a mission to "welcome and recognize all service members who are serving and who have served to protect the rights and freedoms of our country". The university was named among the nation's top colleges of 2016 by Military Advanced Education.

Due to a nationwide reciprocity agreement, this Oklahoma institution's online degrees and courses are available to students in 44 other U.S. states. Associate and bachelor's degrees in two fields -- criminal justice and interdisciplinary studies -- are delivered fully online, and an additional 17 undergraduate programs are partially (96% to 64% online). Five master's degrees are offered fully or partially online, as well.

Cameron features degree completion programs geared toward active-duty servicemembers and veterans; these pathways incorporate credit from military trainings and experiences, and most students earn their degree within 12 to 18 months. Military training and experience credit evaluations are offered free-of-charge.The university honors benefits awarded through the Montgomery G.I. Bill, REAP, DEA and Vocational Rehabilitation, as well as the Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Education Assistance Program (VEAP) dedicated to those who entered active duty between 1977 and 1985. Military students can receive VA benefits assistance and other services through the Cameron University Veterans Affairs branch.