U.S. News Ranks Best Online Programs for Veterans Nationwide
By: Devon Haynie, New York Daily News
Whether it's due to the challenges of moving from base to base, or the difficulty of easing back into civilian life, finishing a degree can be tough for veterans and service members.
For those who are not ready to attend brick-and-mortar universities, online programs can provide good alternatives - assuming veterans select the right ones.
To help veterans choose a quality online program, U.S. News is launching its first rankings of the Best Online Programs for Veterans.
These programs have taken steps to improve the higher education experience for veterans. There commitment comes in the wake of reports of educational institutions, particularly for-profit schools, engaging in misleading recruiting processes, including persuading veterans to take out costly loans and not disclosing key graduation and employment data.
All of the ranked Best Online Programs for Veterans belong to institutions that are certified for the GI Bill and participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, two federal initiatives that help veterans reduce the cost of school. These institutions have also pledged to consider granting academic credit for military training and offer flexibility for distance learners taking courses at several schools.
The Best Online Programs for Veterans includes bachelor's programs as well as master's programs in education, nursing, engineering and business. In order to qualify for the rankings, the 153 degree programs include in these new lists had to be 100 percent online and numerically ranked in the broader U.S. News 2013 Best Online Education Programs rankings.
Best Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans:
1. Pace University, NY
2. Brandman University, CA
3. Bellevue University, NE
4. Regent University, VA
5. University of Nebraska-Omaha, NE
6. Charter Oak State College, CT
7. Post University, CT
8. Ball State University, IN
9. Fort Hays State University, KS
10. California Baptist University, CA
11. Southwestern College, KS
12. Belhaven University, MS
13. Columbia College, MO
14. Central Michigan University, MI
15. Upper Iowa University, IA