This list features some of the best online colleges for veterans across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online colleges for veterans to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
While some military members wait to enroll until they’re on reserve duty or have completed their service, it’s possible to earn a degree at nearly any point in your military career. Some bases, such as Joint Base Andrews-Naval Air Facility Washington provide access to in-person classes through partnerships with major universities. Other colleges offer online degree programs that are specifically geared toward service members.
The government might pay for your education, but not all programs are the same. Active duty members can request Military Tuition Assistance, which will cover up to $4,500 per year. The Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill are intended to pay for college after your military service, but may require you to take a reduction in pay while in the military. Other assistance programs may be available for your spouse and other family members.
Colleges are required to readmit you if your education was interrupted by military service and you return within five years. This means that if you’re called into duty while enrolled in college, you’ll be able to pick up where you left off. These readmission requirements only apply to the college where you were previously enrolled and don’t guarantee you admission elsewhere.
Choosing a college is difficult for everyone, but it can be especially stressful when trying to navigate a military career. To make it easier, here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing an online college for veterans: