Going to school for four years is not the route all veterans want to take after getting out … even if the GI Bill will pay for it. Some want to get a quick two-year degree, diploma or certificate in a specific field and enter the workforce as soon as possible. If this is you, then we have some schools that will help you accomplish your new mission.
Top 10 Two-Year public career and technical schools
The Military Times just released their annual Best For Vets College recommendations for 2021. Listed below are the top 10 two-year public career and technical schools from that list. 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.
1. Dakota County Technical College
This Beyond the Yellow Ribbon campus continues it support to military service members and veterans alike. DCTC leads the field in sustainable technologies where graduates enter exciting, relevant fields and have rewarding careers. This school has ranked nationally for the last four years rising in rank from 12th in 2017 to 4th in 2020. They off 47 majors in nine different areas.
2. Central Georgia Technical College
This school offers both Associate Degree and Technical Certificate Programs in the major areas of Aerospace, Trade and Industry, Business and Computer Technologies, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Professional Services, and General Studies.
3. Central Carolina Community College
Degree, diploma or certificate – the choice is yours at this school! They offer 47 majors in ten areas, including the hot topics of Renewable Energy, Engineering and Industrial Tech, Public Service and Health.
4. Hawkeye Community College
This school offers many of the same programs as found in other schools across the Nation, but because they are located in the Midwest, they also include programs specific to their location, such as Agriculture and Natural Resources, Animal Science and Power Technology.
5. Columbus State Community College
Whether your goal is to enter the workforce after graduation or transfer to a four-year school, the programs at Columbus State prepare you for the future. They off eight major areas with number programs within each area.
6. Norco College
The only school on this list located in California, Norco is noted for their program offerings in Game Development, Entrepreneurship, Pre-Engineering, Industrial Automation, Supply Chain Automation, Music Industry Studies and Logistics Management.
7. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
This school offers 33 programs in four different areas including: Allied Health, Business Education, Professional Services, and Technical and Industrial.
8. Trident Technical College
This school offers programs in ten broad areas of interest, including a new 9-week commercial truck driving course starting in the Fall of 2021 to help train more drivers and offset the truck driver shortage in the U.S.
9. Mountain Empire Community College
If help protecting the environment is your vocational choice, MECC has your back with an offering of six programs including Wastewater Plant Operator and Geographic Information Systems. In the field of technology, they offer an unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) course to learn how to fly drones and get FAA certified in support of this fast-emerging and changing industry.
10. Edgecombe Community College
ECC offers over 200 academic degrees. Diploma and certificate programs in three different divisions include: Arts and Sciences, Business, Industry and Technologies, and Health Sciences.
Additional Top 10 School Info
School | State | Accreditation | Military
Graduation Rate |
Overall
Graduation Rate |
Dakota County Technical College | MN | Midwest | 54% | 39% |
Central Georgia Technical College | GA | Southeast | 94.4% | 82.9% |
Central Carolina Community College | NC | Southeast | 36% | 39% |
Hawkeye Community College | IA | Midwest | 23% | 27% |
Columbus State Community College | OH | Midwest | 13.1% | 19% |
Norco College | CA | West | 42% | 39% |
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College | GA | Southeast | 35% | 75.4% |
Trident Technical College | SC | Southeast | 20% | 19% |
Mountain Empire Community College | VA | Appalachia | 57.1% | 41.7% |
Edgecombe Community College | NC | Southeast | 15% | 15% |