Unlike most students, veterans are generally older with families. They also may depend on a job to make ends meet. This makes them ideal candidates for on line education. A military friendly school online education allows them to balance the demands of family life with the obligations of school. Online schools are the preferred way for many veterans wishing to attain a degree after completion of their military service.
Veteran Graduation Rates
The graduation rates of veterans are difficult to ascertain. There is a vast variance in the graduation rates listed for online schools, if at all. Many schools simply include veterans in the overall graduation rate. USA Today and US News suggest veterans graduate at rates similar to non-veterans, 51.7% compared to 59%. David Wood of the Huffington Post offered veteran dropout rates as high as 88%. This has been disputed by veteran groups and others. Check out strong veteran online colleges here.
Regardless of graduation rates, attaining a degree online is dependent on the level of commitment one is willing to put forth. A good on line school for veterans will offer flexibility, a high level of veteran support and a commitment to military culture. They should also offer financial aid and be knowledgeable concerning the opportunities available for veterans through the federal government and GI Benefits.
Top On line Schools for Veterans
Central Michigan
Central Michigan is a top online military friendly school for veterans. It has a strong commitment to veterans and is a fully accredited institution. Central Michigan accepts military transfer credits, veteran tuition discounts and a veteran?s resource center. It also offers programs for military spouses. Its programs include degrees in administration, integrated leader studies and political science. Central Michigan states it has an overall graduation rate of 57.2% with no distinction between veterans and non-veterans.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a top quality online school. It is fully accredited and displays a strong support for veterans. They offer over 70 programs in arts and sciences, aviation, business, engineering and security and intelligence. Their graduates are employed at every major defense contractor and campuses are located at 90 military installations world wide. They do not list a graduation rate for veterans, but their relationship with the military can be traced to the 1920s.
Arizona State University
For 2015, Arizona State University has been named, for the sixth consecutive year, as a Military Friendly School. This distinction honors the top 15% of schools providing educational support and benefits for veterans. They also were listed in Military Times Top 50 ?Best for Vets: College 2014?.
They offer degrees in business administration, global leadership and engineering among others. They are fully accredited and accept military benefits and allow for completion of degree requirements even overseas.
Arizona State University does not state a specific graduation for veterans, but also lumps them in with the overall rate. Their stated two and four year graduation rate for all students is 56.8%. In the past eight years, 2007 to 2015, 1,280 veterans have received a bachelor?s degree and 313 have received an undergraduate degree. Their veteran retention rate for 2012-2013 was 92.7%.
If you’re a military veteran and seeking a job or career visit our veteran job board.