If you are considering getting out of the military or are already out, you may be thinking about going to college as your next chapter in life. If so, one decision you'll have to make is the type of venue: attending as a resident on campus, taking all classes online, or a combination of both. Because many veterans also have a family to support, taking classes online may fit better into their family dynamics and lifestyle. The flexibility of doing coursework when it best fits into their schedule is a major drawing card to attend school online. But usually the next question is which school do I choose? Keep reading as this guide will help you make that decision.
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Top Online Programs
Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.
The Best Online Military-friendly Colleges and Universities
Some schools provide better service and benefits to veterans than others. In the list below, find the ones we found to be the most military-friendly and serve veteran's interest well.
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Harvard UniversityLocation
Cambridge, MA
Tuition$40418
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Columbia University in the City of New YorkLocation
New York City, NY
Tuition$48646
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Drexel UniversityLocation
Philadelphia, PA
Tuition$39759
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Northern Arizona UniversityLocation
Flagstaff, AZ
Tuition$8072
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Hampton UniversityLocation
Hampton, VA
Tuition$19548
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Saint Leo UniversityLocation
St. Leo, FL
Tuition$19740
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Webster UniversityLocation
Saint Louis, MO
Tuition$24500
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East Carolina UniversityLocation
Greenville, NC
Tuition$3959
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Georgetown UniversityLocation
Washington, DC
Tuition$46200
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Stanford UniversityLocation
Stanford, CA
Tuition$44184
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Texas A & M University-College StationLocation
College Station, TX
Tuition$6476
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Canisius CollegeLocation
Buffalo, NY
Tuition$32630
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University of Michigan-Ann ArborLocation
Ann Arbor, MI
Tuition$14008
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Indiana Wesleyan UniversityLocation
Marion, IN
Tuition$24102
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University of Southern MississippiLocation
Hattiesburg, MS
Tuition$6980
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University of DenverLocation
Denver, CO
Tuition$41112
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Duquesne UniversityLocation
Pittsburgh, PA
Tuition$30070
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Norwich UniversityLocation
Northfield, VT
Tuition$32812
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Catholic University of AmericaLocation
Washington, DC
Tuition$39200
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Niagara UniversityLocation
Niagara County, NY
Tuition$27700
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Temple UniversityLocation
Philadelphia, PA
Tuition$14406
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University of Saint MaryLocation
Leavenworth, KS
Tuition$23750
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Wayland Baptist UniversityLocation
Plainview, TX
Tuition$11880
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North Carolina State University at RaleighLocation
Raleigh, NC
Tuition$6038
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Murray State UniversityLocation
Murray, KY
Tuition$6360
Top 10 Find the Best Online Military-friendly Schools 2-Year
#1 | East Mississippi Community College Scooba, MS |
#2 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati, OH |
#3 | Trinidad State Junior College Trinidad, CO |
#4 | Pamlico Community College Grantsboro, NC |
#5 | Casper College Casper, WY |
#6 | Arizona Western College Yuma, AZ |
#7 | College of Southern Idaho Twin Falls, ID |
#8 | Roane State Community College Harriman, TN |
#9 | Barton County Community College Great Bend, KS |
#10 | Central Texas College Killeen, TX |
AccreditedSchoolsOnline.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.
Top Online Programs
Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.
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East Mississippi Community CollegeLocation
Scooba, MS
Tuition$2200
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Cincinnati State Technical and Community CollegeLocation
Cincinnati, OH
Tuition$3567
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Trinidad State Junior CollegeLocation
Trinidad, CO
Tuition$2998
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Pamlico Community CollegeLocation
Grantsboro, NC
Tuition$2304
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Casper CollegeLocation
Casper, WY
Tuition$1992
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Arizona Western CollegeLocation
Yuma, AZ
Tuition$1824
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College of Southern IdahoLocation
Twin Falls, ID
Tuition$3760
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Roane State Community CollegeLocation
Harriman, TN
Tuition$3528
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Barton County Community CollegeLocation
Great Bend, KS
Tuition$1984
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Central Texas CollegeLocation
Killeen, TX
Tuition$2790
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Haywood Community CollegeLocation
Clyde, NC
Tuition$2304
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Columbus State Community CollegeLocation
Columbus, OH
Tuition$3808
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Southeast Community College AreaLocation
Lincoln, NE
Tuition$2633
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Chattanooga State Community CollegeLocation
Chattanooga, TN
Tuition$3528
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Owensboro Community and Technical CollegeLocation
Owensboro, KY
Tuition$3528
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Northeast Community CollegeLocation
Norfolk, NE
Tuition$2475
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Flathead Valley Community CollegeLocation
Boston, MT
Tuition$4133
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Stanly Community CollegeLocation
Albemarle, NC
Tuition$2304
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Shoreline Community CollegeLocation
Shoreline, WA
Tuition$3427
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Mesa Community CollegeLocation
Mesa, AZ
Tuition$2016
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Itawamba Community CollegeLocation
Fulton, MS
Tuition$2300
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Wake Technical Community CollegeLocation
Raleigh, NC
Tuition$2304
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Olney Central CollegeLocation
Olney, IL
Tuition$8589
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Ivy Tech Community CollegeLocation
Indianapolis, IN
Tuition$3935
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Great Falls College Montana State UniversityLocation
Great Falls, MT
Tuition$2496
What Makes a School Military-friendly?
The following list highlights some of the most important things to look at when weighing the military friendliness of a school:
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Presence of military community and support
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Number of online degree programs
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No Yellow Ribbon cap or at least Yellow Ribbon participating
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Is tuition covered by the GI Bill?
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Is there an ROTC Program?
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Is the school accredited? What is the accrediting body?
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What is the military background of fellow students?
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Is the school a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Association
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Is there a military/veteran student organization at the school?
Military Community & Support Network
Number of Online Degree Programs
No Yellow Ribbon Cap or Yellow Rib
Tuition Covered by the GI Bill
Is There an ROTC Program?
Is the School Accredited?
- MSA (Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools)
- NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges)
- NCA (North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
- NAC (Northwest Accreditation Commission)
- SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools)
- WASC (Western Association of Colleges and Schools)
- DETC (Distance Education & Training Council)
- ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges)
- COE (Council on Occupational Education)
- TRACS (Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission)
Pros of Accreditation | |
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Regional | National |
Most widely recognized | Less expensive |
Credits and degrees widely accepted for transfer | Requires fewer liberal arts courses |
Eligible for corporate tuition reimbursement plans | More practical career-oriented majors |
Normally provides instructor-led courses | More relaxed admission standards |
Cons of Accreditation | |
---|---|
Regional | National |
Generally more expensive than national accredited schools | Credits not widely transferrable |
Require more liberal arts coursework | Frequently excluded from corporate tuition reimbursement plans |
Fewer career-oriented programs and degrees | Coursework may not be accepted for professions requiring licensing after degree attainment |
Generally has higher admission standards | Frequently does not include instructor-led course sessions |
Student Population with Military Background
Member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Association
Military/Veteran Student Organization
Why Online Schools are a Good Idea for Military Personnel & Vets
Veterans like to use the online post-secondary education venue for many reasons. Here are four of the main ones:
Flexibility
GI Bill & Other Military Benefits Eligibility
Transfer Options
An Easier Transition for Some Vets Combat Veterans, Multiple Deployment & Vets with PTSD or Other Injuries
Courses and Areas of Study that Could Appeal to Military Servicemembers
There are two schools of thought as far as veterans choosing a career: either do the same work they did while serving, or get into an entirely new area. Generally, the more specialized one is in the military, the more apt they are to stay in that field once out for several reasons.
For example, students who were in the healthcare field in the military can get more credits transferred toward their healthcare degree plan and take advantage of their healthcare credentialing they received from the military than if they went into an entirely different field of study. Plus, it is an environment that is familiar to them.
However, for those less specialized, like an Infantryman, they may want to broaden their horizons and choose a field they have always wanted to do. They will still get some credits for prior military learning, but they will also have the opportunity to learn something entirely new.
Other careers that military veterans might find a good fit include:
Law Enforcement
Teaching
Public Service
Business
Computers
Where Can Military Servicemembers Get More Support?
There are many organizations that stand ready to help veterans. Listed below are some resources veterans can use to get more support whether choosing a school, either on campus or online:
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College of Staten Island
This school takes pride in making special accommodations for veterans with disabilities and they are doing a great job serving veteran students … especially ones with PTSD. They also have a strong mental health team standing by ready to help veterans with any mental health challenges.
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JROTC
This four-year program, located in many high schools, teaches students how to become better citizens in their communities by teaching leadership development and developing character. While the program is not directed at students who want to join the military after graduating, it is a good military preparation program for students wanting to go into the military or join a ROTC unit in college.
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Pat Tillman Veterans Center
Located at Arizona State University. Not only does ASU have a veteran's center on campus, but it also has a military support center through their ASU Online program.
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CSULB Veterans Network
Originally developed by California State University as a half-day faculty and staff seminar program to increase their awareness concerning veteran students, it has since expanded to include a network of resources veterans can use for assistance when transitioning to student life. Resources are available to students both on campus and taking classes online.
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RRRP
Founded by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), it is a high-tech online case management and referral services program. Since its pilot program in 2012, it has grown into a national program serving over 8,100 veterans and their families so far in all 50 states.
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VetConnect
This online support network helps veterans connect with other veterans having similar experiences. All that is needed is a Goggle account to get started.
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Veterans Crisis Line
If you are a veteran in crisis, this online chat room stands ready to help. Staffed by employees of the VA, they will work with you either online or by phone to help get you through any personal crisis you may be having at the time.
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VetSuccess on Campus
A department of Veterans Affairs program to help veterans make the transition to college life. Each school having a VSOC program will have at least one Counselor at each location. A VA Vet Center Outreach Coordinator is also provided to provide peer-to-peer counseling and referral services.
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Vets Prevail
An online personalized resilience mental health training program for veterans suffering from stress, anxiety, PTSD or depression. The mental wellness program is individualized to each veteran in the program based on results from a health and personality assessment.