Military Friendly Online Colleges
Nearly half of all college students took at least one online class in 2019, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Online learning can especially benefit military personnel and service members. These learners can continue their education while on active duty.
Veterans face unique challenges entering the civilian job market. For example, veterans are 70% more likely to take a step back in seniority than civilians. They are also 36% less likely to advance in seniority. Online college for veterans can help them address these challenges by making them more competitive in the workforce.
This page provides information on the best colleges for military veterans. Read on for answers to common questions and to learn the benefits of online college for military personnel.
AffordableCollegesOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Featured Online Programs
Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.
Is Online College the Right Choice for Military Personnel?
Can You Attend Online College While in the Military?
Yes. Online college for military personnel allows learners to earn a degree from anywhere with an internet connection. Active-duty service members can complete a degree while deployed.
What Is the Best Online College for Veterans?
Military-friendly colleges offer flexible, online programs with year-round admissions. The best colleges for military veterans also offer support for veteran-specific challenges. For example, these schools may provide dedicated veterans centers or peer mentoring.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a GI Bill® comparison tool to help veterans compare benefits at different schools.
Does the VA Pay for Online School?
The VA offers GI Bill benefits that can help veterans pay for college, graduate school, and training programs, including online college for veterans. Benefits vary depending on veterans' state of residency and their school's location. Veterans who use their GI Bill benefits wisely can possibly earn a degree online for free.
What Schools Accept Military Tuition Assistance?
Military personnel can use military tuition assistance to help pay for college, graduate school, and vocational programs. They can also use it to pay for independent study and online programs. Tuition assistance can fund up to 100% of college tuition and fees for active-duty service members. VA education benefits, on the other hand, provide tuition assistance to veterans.
Why Veterans Should Consider Online Degrees
Online learning provides flexibility. Veterans can balance school with full-time jobs or other responsibilities. Attending classes in person may be challenging for injured veterans.
When researching online degrees, veterans should look for accredited programs. Accreditation evaluates a school's credibility by determining whether it meets certain quality standards. Veterans should also look for military-friendly colleges with support resources for veterans. See below for benefits of online college for veterans.
-
Attending online college allows veterans and military personnel to earn their degree from anywhere with internet access. This flexibility makes online college the best college for military members.
-
2
Transition to Civilian Life
The best colleges for military veterans offer resources to help enrollees transition to civilian life. These resources may include special military transition teams and mental health resources. Some colleges also offer clubs or organizations for veteran students.
-
Getting an online degree can lead to more job opportunities for military veterans. Graduates gain the skills needed for jobs in a variety of fields.
-
4
Improve Professional Options
Earning an online degree can also help military personnel advance in their careers. Degree-holders may qualify for promotions and pay increases.
-
5
Improve Education Options
Military personnel who earn an online undergraduate degree may continue on to graduate school. A graduate degree can further improve veterans' professional options.
Do Online Schools Have Requirements for Veterans?
Veterans must meet the same application requirements as all other applicants. These may include high school credential requirements and testing requirements. Some schools waive the application fee for veterans.
The GI Bill can help veterans pay for online courses. The GI Bill also provides veteran students taking online classes exclusively with a housing allowance. This allowance is based on 50% of the national average.
Montgomery GI Bill
The Montgomery GI Bill provides education benefits that can help learners pay for online college for military personnel. The bill includes two programs: Chapter 30 and Chapter 1606.
The Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty program, also known as Chapter 30, provides military personnel with up to 36 months of education and training benefits. After their release from active duty, veterans can receive these benefits for 10 years.
The Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve program, also known as Chapter 1606, provides up to 36 months of education benefits to current members of the Selected Reserve, such as the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard.
Post-9/11 GI Bill
The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers education benefits to military personnel who served on active duty after September 10, 2001. This bill also offers benefits to children of military personnel who died in the line of duty after that date. Benefits include tuition and fee payments and a monthly housing allowance.
The Yellow Ribbon Program provides additional support to help students cover tuition at out-of-state or private schools. The Post-9/11 GI Bill may not cover these costs. However, the Post-9/11 GI Bill may cover all in-state tuition and fees at public degree-granting schools for up to 36 months.
Additional Resources for Veterans and Military Personnel
This resource helps connect active-duty service members, veterans, and military spouses with high-earning jobs.
This resource helps students understand their GI Bill benefits. Students can compare how they can apply their benefits at different schools and employers.
This organization offers scholarships, grants, and fellowships for veterans. The group also offers advocacy and mental health resources.
Scholarships for Veterans and Military Personnel
Veterans and military personnel can explore a variety of scholarships to pay for school. Some scholarships can also help veterans pay for their children's college education. See below for some scholarships for military students.
Amount: $2,500
Amount: Active-duty service members and military veterans who served in one of the Overseas Contingency Operations may apply. Applicants need sophomore or junior status in an undergraduate STEM program. They also need a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Amount: $4,000
Amount: American Veterans offers several online scholarships for military personnel and veterans. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and submit proof of enrollment or acceptance to an approved program.
Amount: $1,000-$3,000
Amount: Retired and active-duty women soldiers in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, and Army National Guard may apply. Direct descendants can also apply. The program allots funds for degrees and certificate programs. Applicants must show academic promise and demonstrate financial need.
Top Online Colleges For Military Veterans
#1 10 Best Military-Friendly Online Colleges of 2023
Southern New Hampshire University
- Manchester, NH
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit:
Undergraduate | $320
Graduate | $627
Online Programs Offered: Certificate, associate, bachelor's, master's
SNHU began supporting military service members after World War II. Today, the school continues that tradition by offering military discounts and college credit for military service. You can receive up to 90 bachelor's credits for military or job training and prior college credits. SNHU also offers a 30% military tuition discount.
You can choose from more than 200 online undergraduate and graduate programs in fields like accounting and finance, art and design, business, criminal justice, health, and technology.
The Military Initiatives Team evaluates military transcripts and helps you find local events and resources. SNHU does not require standardized test scores or application fees.
Students Enrolled
134,345
Percent Online Enrollment
96%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
New England Commission on Higher Education
#2 10 Best Military-Friendly Online Colleges of 2023
University of Florida
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit:
Undergraduate | $129
Graduate | $350-$1,354
Online Programs Offered: Certificate, bachelor's, master's, doctorate
With more than 200 online programs, UF gives military students a free first online course through the Free Seat Program.
Online programs start three times a year. You can major in popular fields like business administration, computer science, criminology, and nursing. Online degrees at the graduate level include agriculture and biological engineering, computer science, pharmaceutical sciences, and gerontology.
Military service members and veterans can get support from the Office of Student Veteran Services, the Collegiate Veterans Success Center, and the Collegiate Veterans Society.
Admission requirements vary. Military students can qualify for in-state tuition rates. UF also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program to reduce out-of-state fees for service members.
Percent Online Enrollment
92%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 10 Best Military-Friendly Online Colleges of 2023
Liberty University
- Lynchburg, VA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit:
Undergraduate | $250
Graduate | $275-$300
Online Programs Offered: Certificate, associate, bachelor's, master's, doctorate
Liberty, which has offered a Christian education since 1971 and has provided distance learning for more than 30 years, supports first responders and military students with a 15% tuition discount and no application fee.
Online learners can choose from among eight start dates for more than 600 online undergraduate and graduate programs. Top programs at Liberty include business, counseling, criminal justice, education, and nursing. Each course takes eight weeks to complete.
Liberty accepts college credit for military training. You can transfer up to 75% of credits toward a bachelor's degree and 50% toward a master's degree.
Percent Online Enrollment
93%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 10 Best Military-Friendly Online Colleges of 2023
University of South Florida
- Tampa, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit:
Undergraduate | $105
Graduate | $341-$387
Online Programs Offered: Certificate, bachelor's, master's, doctorate
With a military population of about 1,600, USF offers a large catalog of 240 undergraduate and 150 graduate degrees. Additionally, the university's 50strong Employer Connect program provides career training and access to recruiters looking to hire military spouses, veterans, and service members.
Online degree completion program majors include criminology, environmental policy, information studies, public administration, public health, and urban studies. You can also earn a graduate degree in a field like business administration, cybersecurity, education, gerontology, health informatics, or public health.
Active-duty service members, veterans, and military dependents often qualify for out-of-state tuition waivers. Prospective graduate students need a bachelor's degree, and first-year applicants must submit standardized test scores. Transfer students need at least a 2.5 GPA.
Percent Online Enrollment
90%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#5 10 Best Military-Friendly Online Colleges of 2023
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
- Baton Rouge, LA
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit:
Undergraduate | $379
Graduate | $417-$1,110
Online Programs Offered: Certificate, associate, bachelor's, master's, doctorate
LSU, which opened in 1860 as a military school, offers more than 100 online undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates.
Popular majors include accounting, business analytics, construction management, criminal justice, marketing, nursing, and religious studies. Online graduate students can major in subjects such as data analytics, civil engineering, health administration, and social work.
Enrollment coaches and LSU's Veterans Affairs office help military students use their benefits to earn a degree. What's more, the free Veterans Career Advantage career readiness course assists military students with preparing to enter the workforce.
LSU is a test-optional school, and first-year students do not need to submit SAT or ACT scores. Transfer students need an associate degree or at least 18 transferable credits and a minimum 2.0 GPA. Prospective graduate students must have an associate or bachelor's degree.
Percent Online Enrollment
85%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#6 10 Best Military-Friendly Online Colleges of 2023
University of Missouri-Columbia
- Columbia, MO
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit:
Undergraduate | $335
Graduate | $435
Online Programs Offered: Certificate, bachelor's, master's, doctorate
Mizzou is home to more than 375 online programs, which offer a flexible format and tuition discounts for military students and their spouses. Combat veterans only pay $50 per credit for degrees and certificates. In addition, Mizzou offers a 10% tuition discount for all veterans.
You can major in subjects such as agriculture, business, computer science, counseling, data science, education, nursing, public health, and social work.
The Veterans Center helps veterans get credits for each year of training experience. Eligible military students may transfer up to nine credits to fulfill general electives. To apply as a veteran transfer student, you need at least 12 transferable credits and a 2.5 GPA.
Percent Online Enrollment
87%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#7 10 Best Military-Friendly Online Colleges of 2023
University of Arizona
- Tucson, AZ
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit:
Undergraduate | $500-$610
Graduate | $650-$1,332
Online Programs Offered: Certificate, bachelor's, master's, doctorate
Arizona Online offers more than 150 online undergraduate and graduate degrees, many of which may appeal to military service members and veterans.
The most popular degrees for undergraduate military students include cyber operations intelligence and information operations and nutritional sciences. Popular graduate programs include business administration, international security studies, and nursing.
Some online graduate degrees — such as the master's in education and the master's in computer science — only take 12-15 months to complete.
Active military students and veterans pay no application fee. You can graduate more quickly by getting credit for basic training. Active military students also qualify for a 50% tuition discount.
Percent Online Enrollment
56%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Higher Learning Commission
#8 10 Best Military-Friendly Online Colleges of 2023
University of Utah
- Salt Lake City, UT
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit:
Undergraduate | $260
Graduate | $971
Online Programs Offered: Bachelor's, master's
With a campus in Salt Lake City right across the street from the regional Veterans Affairs office, UOnline features 18 colleges and schools and more than 200 majors, minors, and certificates.
Student veterans and military families often get priority seating for their courses. Online undergraduates can major in economics, environmental and sustainability studies, nursing, psychology, or social work. At the graduate level, you can earn an online degree in electrical and computer engineering, finance, healthcare administration, legal studies, nursing education, or teaching.
Through the Veterans Support Center, veterans have access to a lounge and student computers with free printing, work-study opportunities, veterans counseling, and benefits help. Admission requirements vary.
Percent Online Enrollment
90%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
#9 10 Best Military-Friendly Online Colleges of 2023
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit:
Undergraduate | $105
Graduate | $288
Online Programs Offered: Certificate, bachelor's, master's, doctorate
By enrolling in one of UCF's more than 100 online programs, military students and veterans can get a flexible pathway to a college degree.
More than 20 bachelor's programs at UCF are available 100% online, including criminal justice, English, hospitality management, legal studies, nursing, religion and cultural studies, and psychology. What's more, you can study one of 30 subjects at the graduate level, including civil engineering, criminal justice, educational leadership, hospitality and tourism management, and nursing.
You can seek help with receiving your benefit check through the Office of Military and Veteran Student success. UCF's transfer students need at least 12 transferable credits and a minimum 2.0 GPA for admission. Some graduate programs may require GMAT or GRE scores.
Percent Online Enrollment
9%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#10 10 Best Military-Friendly Online Colleges of 2023
The University of Alabama
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Avg. Cost per Credit:
Undergraduate | $385
Graduate | $440
Online Programs Offered: Certificate, bachelor's, master's, doctorate
UA has 90 online and hybrid degrees that may appeal to military students, who can qualify for tuition assistance from the school.
Sixteen-week online courses operate concurrently with the campus schedule. You can earn an undergraduate degree in criminal justice, communication, early childhood education, hospitality management, nursing, or social work. Some degrees use a hybrid format, such as UA's master's in educational psychology. Graduate nursing and social work degrees function mostly online, except for practicums.
Qualified Yellow Ribbon recipients can get waivers for out-of-state tuition. UA does not require standardized test scores. You'll need at least a 2.0 on any college-level coursework you've taken. Applicants with less than 24 college credits must send their high school transcripts for admission consideration.
Percent Online Enrollment
90%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
