Best Military Colleges - First, military-friendly colleges accept education benefits like the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program. These benefits help military service members earn a college degree. Second, these schools have offices for military and veteran affairs to help students access resources and connect with a broader community.
Third, these colleges often grant credit for military experience and training. Finally, military-friendly colleges offer resources to help graduates plan their careers. Founded in 1928, VFMAC offers associate degrees and certificates. In addition to the academic pathway, enrollees can pursue military training, including Corps of Cadets character-building and leadership training.
Best Military Colleges

Top applicants who wish to pursue officer training may join the Army ROTC Early Commissioning Program. The cost of an online degree can vary greatly. In 2020-2021, the average cost of tuition at public four-year institutions was $9,375.
Junior Military Colleges
In-state, public colleges offer the most affordable tuition rates, while private colleges tend to cost the most. Thomas Edison State University is a military-friendly college with more than 100 online programs and certificates. The school offers discounted tuition rates, tuition assistance programs, and scholarships for military personnel.
TESU also provides GI Bill and Veterans Affairs benefits and support for military spouses and dependents. BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us.
This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. Since 1969, the Great Lakes Maritime Academy has trained aspiring naval officers and maritime professionals. The academy runs career-driven training, such as deck officer and engineering officer programs, along with the Naval Reserve program, which prepares students for service in the Navy.
Milwaukee Area Technical College traditionally serves working adult students seeking professional certification or associate degrees. Considering most of its students are working adults, and many with families, MATC got out ahead of the distance learning trend years ahead of the curve with its College of the Air program, offering broadcast lectures via public television.

Brown University
Liberty's extensive list of benefits for active-duty military includes tuition discounts for eligible online programs, a technology fee waiver for actively serving military members, free evaluation of military training for transfer credit, and regular updates of military programs.
Junior military colleges provide students with access to associate degrees alongside military and leadership training, although some may also offer bachelor's programs. Enrollees typically attend these schools for two years and do not need to commit to postgraduate service.
School participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program is completely voluntary and definitely helps to cover tuition and fees, especially for students who want to go to a private, foreign, or out-of-state college versus an in-state public one (since the Post
-9/11 GI Bill usually covers in-state public school tuition). To find out if a school participates, check out the VA's Yellow Ribbon page or its GI Bill Comparison Tool. In addition to tuition and fees, degree-seekers must consider technology costs, books, supplies and other expenses.
Yellow Ribbon Program
Online students can potentially save money on commuting and transportation costs. When comparing online colleges, research the total program cost. thebestschools.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us.
This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. While enrollees may go on to serve in the military, these schools rarely require postgraduate commitments from students.

College-prep military schools have demanding academic and character requirements for admission, but they can equip graduates with the skills and qualifications required to enter some of the nation's best military and traditional colleges. Some prep academies do offer commissioning options, which may require learners to commit to service or additional training after graduation.
Located in Providence, Rhode Island, Brown is an esteemed private Ivy institution that's been around since 1764 and ranks consistently high among global universities. It features a supportive Office of Military-Affiliated Students and a "plan to double the number of student veterans enrolled as undergraduates by 2024."
Military-Friendly Colleges Around The Country
In 2020, Brown received a $20 million gift to use for military scholarships. It's a proud partner with local Army, Navy, and Air Force ROTC units, too. Admission requirements and programs for each of the senior military colleges vary.
Applicants generally need strong grades and leadership potential for entry. Once enrolled, students combine academic and military training, similar to federal military programs, although program rigor varies. The following list highlights the six available senior military colleges.
While Park University is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers an extensive list of degree programs for certification, BAs, and graduate degrees, the school's name does not carry the prestige of some online colleges and universities.
Still, it's what you do with the degree, not just where you earn it. The GI Bill covers up to the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at public universities. Recipients also qualify for up to $26,381 at private institutions.

Texas Am University
The GI Bill can also help cover housing, books, supplies, and relocation expenses. Learn more about GI Bill benefits. The Yellow Ribbon Program provides additional financial support for expenses not covered by the GI Bill. Recipients must meet the GI Bill eligibility requirements.
Starting in Aug. 2022, the program also covers active duty service members. Southern New Hampshire University has been a military-friendly college for more than 80 years. The school oversees more than 200 online programs. SNHU also offers tuition discounts of up to 30% for active military personnel and their spouses.
ASU is also home to the Pat Tillman Veterans Center and provides specialized student services to veterans and active-duty military. Prospective students need a high school or GED diploma for admission. Enrolled students may receive transfer credits for military training and education.
Today, many colleges specialize in enrolling military students. And online colleges appeal to military-affiliated students. The flexibility of an online program can make it easier to learn from anywhere, while online colleges also help military students maximize their educational benefits.
Final Thoughts
Many also offer college credit for military training and experience. It always helps the online college degree when the school in question has a nationally recognized name, and Arizona State University in the Valley of the Sun qualifies as a major western university (and Pac 12 Conference member).
Offering a fully-accredited online college division in addition to its traditional, in-class undergraduate and graduate programs, ASU will set up nicely for any young service member looking to rank up, or for a more advanced, older student looking to enhance his or

her post-service life. Founded in 1929 as part of the California State University system, Cal Maritime enrolls more than 1,000 students annually and offers several bachelor's and master's degree options. While all learners gain leadership and accountability training, only a small percentage of graduates continue into commissioned officer service.
Below is a sampling of some of the most popular military-friendly colleges and universities around the country. Please note, this is not a "top ten" ranking and there are many more options out there, which you can find using the search bar on our website.
What Makes A College Military-Friendly?
Some online schools operate on a traditional semester calendar, while others offer up to six shorter terms per year. And course options include synchronous and asynchronous classes. Consider your schedule and needs to find the right learning format for you.
It's no secret the state of Texas is military-friendly, but many don't realize Texas A&M was originally established as a military institution accessible only to those who'd serve in the Corps of Cadets. Today, the acclaimed university continues to support the troops through its Veterans Services Office and Veteran Resources and Support Center, both of which offer an extensive range of admissions and other services.
The campus also hosts Army, Navy/Marine, and Air Force ROTC units. Options for the best online colleges for military members expanded over recent years as distance learning programs multiplied. The pandemic inspired more traditional colleges to add distance learning credit and degree programs.
As a result, the online college world now offers educational opportunities for most serving military members and veterans. The best online military colleges distinguish themselves through their dedicated service to both active-duty and military students. They offer special assistance and tuned-in advisors to help prospective students explore academic expectations, admissions requirements, and financial aid options.

Q Is Online College Free For The Military?
Put simply, the best online military colleges conduct their business as though they value their active service or veteran students as valuable individuals facing unique challenges. Obviously, just wanting a military student's money (via a check from Uncle Sam) does not make a college military-friendly.
Offering convenient online classes does not qualify a school for that designation, either. And yet, some institutions merely pay lip service to military and veteran students simply to get those TA and GI Bill funds with the least amount of effort on their part.
The online division does not offer all of the same programs as in-person students, which can limit enrollment options. Also, unlike many online colleges that simply require the payment of fees to gain admission to course work, the online division within the University of Florida requires an academic record and a GPA of at least 2.0 for acceptance.
That can make admissions trickier for would-be students not progressing from a traditional academic background. Much like federal student aid programs, colleges must hold accreditation to accept military tuition assistance. Before enrolling, service members must receive approval from their service branch's education center.
University Of Chicago
The service branch then pays the funds directly to the school. Note, not every military or veteran student is eligible to receive Yellow Ribbon benefits, even if the school they go to does participate in the program.
Also, colleges that participate may pick a maximum number of students they're willing to provide this funding for, and recipients are chosen on a first-come, first-serve basis. A: Online military colleges are not free by a matter of standard policy unless the student already earned a full scholarship.
However, many online colleges offer reduced credit costs and special financial aid for serving students and veterans. Founded in 1891, NMMI enrolls approximately 1,000 students annually and offers associate of arts and associate of science degrees, along with a two-year ROTC program.
While all enrollees receive cadet training and may pursue commission with any of the armed forces, they do not need to commit to postgraduate service. Texas A&M was the first public university in the state, opening in 1876, and it has prepared officers for the U.S.
How We Rank Online Military-Friendly Colleges
Army ever since. In addition to the more than 300 academic programs, enrollees can pursue Naval, Army, and Air Force ROTC programs.
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