2021 Best Four-Year Public Colleges for Veterans

The Military Times recently released their annual Best For Vets College recommendations for 2021. Listed below are the top ten four-year public schools from the list of 185 schools. These ten schools all offer Veteran Services, participate in the VA Work/Study Program, accept credit by exam, and offer academic support for veterans. Some of the schools also offer admission preference to military members and veterans.

Top Four-Year Public Colleges for Veterans

Let’s look at these outstanding schools for veterans and military members:

1. University of Texas at Arlington

UTA is the largest institution in the University of Texas System with a population of 58,000 students. It is also noted as being the top four-year college in Texas for veterans. It offers 180 degree programs in 10 different schools. UTA also has several scholarships programs for veterans and their families.

2. Weber State University

Located in Ogden, this school offers over 100 degree majors and areas of emphasis in 12 different areas. Weber is the only school in Utah to make the 2021 Best for Vets list.

3. University of Southern Mississippi

USM is one of only 130 schools in the Nation that have earned the coveted Carnegie’s Very High Research Activity designation. It is also one of only 40 schools in the Nation accredited in theatre, art and design, and dance and music.

4. Rutgers, The State Of New Jersey

This 8^th oldest educational institution in the U.S. is centrally located and within driving distance to three of the East Coast’s largest cities: New York City, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. Rutgers offers more than 150 undergraduate majors through their system of schools in addition to graduate and professional degree offerings.

5. Bowling Green State University

This school offers 191 undergraduate degree programs. As the number 1 school in the Midwest for student satisfaction, they graduate 81% of their undergrads in four years or less and 97% of their four-year graduates are either employed, in graduate school or have started businesses of their own.

6. Georgia State University

Located in the heart of Atlanta, GSU offers it 54,000 student population over 200 majors spread over 6 campuses that house 12 colleges and schools. Along with making this Best For Vets List, GSU is also the 3rd most innovative school in the U.S. and the number one school in Georgia to graduate African American, Asian, and Latino students.

7. Central Michigan University

With an alumni over 5,200 military and veterans, including more than 155 Generals and Admirals, this educational institution continues to serve the military community. Located in Mount Pleasant, MI, it offers around 200 undergraduate programs, including many majors that are also offered as minors. They also offer 12 to 18-credit certificates that are designed to enhance a student’s professional skill.

8. Northern Arizona University

This school is located at an altitude of 7,000 ft in Flagstaff, AZ. It offers over 130 undergraduate degree majors and 80 certificate programs. In addition to resident training, NAU also offers two online formats: Traditional Online Learning and Competency-Based.

9. Eastern Kentucky University

Located in Richmond, this school offers over 100 degree majors both online and on campus. Beginning with the Fall 2021, EKU will offer free textbooks to undergraduate students meaning veterans going to school under the Post 9/11 GI Bill will be able to use the Book Stipend money as discretionary income.

10. Florida State University

Nationally recognized as one of the top schools for military members and veterans, this school located in Florida’s Panhandle in Panama City boasts a 92.5% student retention rate. Not only did FSU place number 10 in this list, but they also ranked the 19th Best Public School in 2021 by the U.S. News & World Report.

Additional Top 10 School Information