A big part of returning to civilian life after service is deciding what the next steps are. For many, an important aspect of reintegrating is getting a higher education that will lead to a successful career. Choosing which school to attend should not add stress to your return home, so AFBA has compiled a list of the top eight colleges for veterans.
1. Texas A&M University
Located in College Station, Texas, this agriculture and mechanical college is one of the friendliest toward veterans. The university's website even has a special landing page dedicated to assisting veterans with the application and scholarship process. Of the almost 54,000 students that attend Texas A&M every year, 79 percent graduate.
2. University of South Florida
What better place to attend college than sunny Tampa, Florida? Just like Texas A&M, the University of South Florida offers an Office of Veterans Resources to assist returned servicemembers with their education. With a 63 percent graduation rate and over 180 undergraduate programs to choose from, veterans who attend the University of South Florida will not be disappointed.
3. Ohio State University
If you plan to become a Buckeye, you will be among the 1,800 other returned servicemembers who attend this university. Half of all Ohio State University students graduate, and with a 4-star rated academic support system, it is not hard to see why.
4. Rutgers University
This New Jersey-based university is rated among the top in the country for on-campus veterans services. Nearly 70 percent of Rutgers students graduate with a degree. This university has a reputation for accepting GI-Bill students and providing excellent academic guidance.
5. University of Oklahoma
Aside from its reputation for elite athletics, the University of Oklahoma is also known for having a welcoming attitude toward veterans. The university offers an on-campus Veterans Support Alliance and has a number of academic support centers. The University of Oklahoma also has one of the best student to faculty ratios (18:1) of any public university in the country.
6. Texas Tech University
The Red Raiders are notorious for being a veteran-friendly university. Their video, "Texas Tech: We got your 6," shows just how committed the campus is to creating a welcoming environment for former servicemembers to come and learn. Texas Tech is just behind the University of Oklahoma in student to faculty ratio (20:1), but the opportunities on this campus are numerous.
7. University of Missouri
Mizzou has a unique on-campus program that provides veterans with a hotline number they can call at any time and will be connected to another student-veteran. This creates a tight-knit group of former servicemembers committed to one another's academic success. This university also has a graduation rate of 70 percent.
8. San Diego State University
With an acceptance rate of 34 percent, San Diego State University is an achievable challenge for veterans looking to get a higher education. Over 1,000 veterans proudly attend this university and 66 percent of all the students who enroll graduate. SDSU offers small class sizes and plenty of veteran support.
Obtaining an education is an exciting part of life after service. Hopefully, the list above will help you in deciding on which college best suits your needs.