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Veterans pursuing higher education in 2026 face unique challenges that differ significantly from those encountered by traditional college students.
Notably, only a small percentage of student veterans are in the typical college-age bracket. Many are older and often juggle family and other responsibilities alongside their studies. Additionally, veterans may be coping with experiences related to their service, which can complicate their college journey.
Unfortunately, as veterans seek to utilize their GI Bill benefits, they sometimes encounter institutions that prioritize profit over educational quality. Some schools exploit veterans through aggressive marketing tactics, draining their benefits without providing adequate support or valuable education.
Moreover, certain institutions may simply lack the resources or commitment to effectively support and graduate veteran students. To help veterans navigate their options, we analyzed data to identify the colleges that best facilitate veteran success.
- University Of Maryland, Baltimore
- University Of California, Los Angeles
- University Of North Carolina- Chapel Hill
- University Of Florida
- University Of Washington- Seattle
- University Of Texas At Austin
- Texas A&M University
- University Of California, San Diego
- California State University Maritime Academy
- Binghamton University
These are the top 10 universities for veterans in 2026. Continue reading to learn more about how we evaluated these institutions, or scroll to the end for the complete ranked list.
How We Determined The Best Colleges For Veterans
Various factors influence veterans’ success in higher education, including active support from veterans’ organizations, personal circumstances, and the quality of academic programs. For this analysis, we focused on key metrics that correlate with veteran success:
Utilizing data from the , we ranked 517 colleges on the following criteria:
- Graduation Completion Rate
- Percentage of graduates earning over $28,000 annually
- Proportion of tuition spent on instructional services versus administrative costs
In this ranking, a higher score reflects better performance. For instance, a college with a 100% graduation rate would achieve the top ranking in that category.
We focused exclusively on public institutions offering four-year degree programs. While private schools, including Ivy League institutions, often demonstrate excellent outcomes for veterans, they cater to a limited demographic. Thus, our analysis aims to provide a broader perspective on the best colleges for veterans. However, it’s worth mentioning that veterans attending elite schools generally experience significant success.
Keep reading to discover why these 10 universities excel, or scroll down for the full list.
1. University Of Maryland, Baltimore
Earning Above $28K: 93%
Completion Rate: 88%
Veterans attending the University of Maryland, Baltimore enjoy an 88% graduation rate, reflected in their impressive earnings, with one of the highest percentages of students earning over $28,000.
2. University Of California, Los Angeles
Earning Above $28K: 72%
Completion Rate: 93%
UCLA is renowned globally for its academic excellence and support for veterans, ensuring high graduation rates for those who enroll.
3. University Of North Carolina- Chapel Hill
Earning Above $28K: 75%
Completion Rate: 90%
Founded by a Revolutionary War veteran, the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill continues to honor its military roots by providing strong educational support for veterans.
4. University Of Florida
Earning Above $28K: 74%
Completion Rate: 87%
The University of Florida offers flexible online and in-person courses, supported by dedicated offices that assist veterans in their educational transition.
5. University Of Washington- Seattle
Earning Above $28K: 76%
Completion Rate: 82%
As a research-focused institution, the University of Washington provides veterans with opportunities to thrive in Seattle’s expanding tech industry.
6. University Of Texas At Austin
Earning Above $28K: 77%
Completion Rate: 80%
With a significant military population in Texas, the University of Texas at Austin offers convenient access as well as high graduation and earning potential for veterans.
7. Texas A&M University
Earning Above $28K: 81%
Completion Rate: 80%
Texas A&M prides itself on providing personalized support to its veteran population, fostering an inclusive environment for academic achievement.
8. University Of California, San Diego
Earning Above $28K: 73%
Completion Rate: 89%
UC San Diego offers strong support for veterans, contributing to a high completion rate for those pursuing their degrees.
9. California State University Maritime Academy
Earning Above $28K: 88%
Completion Rate: 63%
The California Maritime Academy provides an environment where many veterans feel at home and supported.
10. Binghamton University
Earning Above $28K: 74%
Completion Rate: 81%
Binghamton University stands out as New York’s top-ranked public university, providing veterans with excellent educational opportunities and support.
Summary Of Our Findings
The universities highlighted here represent the best options for veterans based on graduation rates, earnings potential, and the percentage of tuition allocated to instructional quality. Veterans utilizing their GI Bill benefits at these institutions are likely to receive a robust education and support, enhancing their career prospects. These colleges effectively utilize veterans’ tuition funds to promote educational success. Veterans seeking a valuable educational experience should strongly consider these institutions.
Explore the complete list of the top 100 universities for veterans:
| College | Earning Above 28K % | Completion Rate |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE | 92.7% | 87 |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES | 71.7% | 92 |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA – CHAPEL HILL | 74.7% | 90 |
| UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA | 73.5% | 87 |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON – SEATTLE | 75.5% | 82 |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN | 76.8% | 79 |
| TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY | 80.6% | 80 |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO | 72.7% | 88 |
| CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY MARITIME ACADEMY | 87.6% | 62 |
| BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY | 73.7% | 81 |
| NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | 75.1% | 76 |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS | 69.0% | 87 |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – MADISON | 78.9% | 85 |
| STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO | 72.0% | 72 |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE | 70.5% | 88 |
| SUNY COLLEGE AT GENESEO | 68.3% | 79 |
| STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT STONY BROOK | 68.1% | 71 |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO | 69.5% | 67 |
| ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY | 76.5% | 73 |
| UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT | 77.1% | 77 |
| SUNY MARITIME COLLEGE | 79.9% | 62 |
| GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | 86.2% | 86 |
| STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT ALBANY | 70.0% | 68 |
| SUNY COLLEGE AT CORTLAND | 69.2% | 73 |
| SUNY COLLEGE OF ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE & FORESTRY | 60.4% | 75 |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN – ANN ARBOR | 76.7% | 90 |
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA | 78.6% | 92 |
| UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK | 77.4% | 81 |
| JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY | 76.8% | 82 |
| STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE | 73.5% | 52 |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY | 74.7% | 92 |
| PURDUE UNIVERSITY | 77.9% | 70 |
| CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY | 78.7% | 78 |
| MASSACHUSETTS MARITIME ACADEMY | 85.7% | 74 |
| COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY (THE) | 80.9% | 84 |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN | 78.0% | 86 |
| UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING | 68.5% | 58 |
| STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT NEW PALTZ | 61.6% | 74 |
| RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY | 73.4% | 77 |
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA – TWIN CITIES | 75.2% | 77 |
| UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS – AMHERST | 73.6% | 76 |
| SUNY COLLEGE AT ONEONTA | 63.5% | 71 |
| FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY | 67.2% | 80 |
| UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS | 71.8% | 62 |
| UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA | 73.2% | 65 |
| VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY | 79.2% | 84 |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA | 73.9% | 66 |
| GOVERNORS STATE UNIVERSITY | 67.7% | 70 |
| SUNY COLLEGE AT BROCKPORT | 63.9% | 69 |
| UNIVERSITY OF UTAH | 70.6% | 68 |
| CUNY BERNARD M. BARUCH COLLEGE | 72.5% | 69 |
| EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY | 64.5% | 63 |
| GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY | 74.6% | 72 |
| SAINT MARY’S COLLEGE OF MARYLAND | 65.8% | 78 |
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER | 71.7% | 50 |
| UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE | 78.5% | 79 |
| CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY | 70.4% | 69 |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | 74.1% | 79 |
| WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY | 66.2% | 61 |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA | 76.8% | 50 |
| VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE | 73.8% | 75 |
| MISSOURI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY | 80.5% | 68 |
| EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY | 66.2% | 64 |
| RADFORD UNIVERSITY | 68.6% | 64 |
| UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON – CLEAR LAKE | 77.0% | 71 |
| SUNY AT FREDONIA | 58.0% | 67 |
| RAMAPO COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY | 72.8% | 72 |
| CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY CHANNEL ISLANDS | 64.0% | 71 |
| TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY | 65.9% | 71 |
| WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | 64.7% | 75 |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO | 67.1% | 58 |
| STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK COLLEGE AT PLATTSBURGH | 60.5% | 66 |
| COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES | 90.1% | 76 |
| OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY (THE) | 68.7% | 68 |
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA | 67.3% | 72 |
| CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY | 70.4% | 58 |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA | 76.9% | 70 |
| CITADEL, THE MILITARY COLLEGE OF SOUTH CAROLINA | 76.9% | 71 |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – LACROSSE | 73.7% | 67 |
| COLLEGE OF WILLIAM & MARY | 73.5% | 91 |
| AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY | 82.0% | 40 |
| WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY | 73.5% | 62 |
| LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY | 67.6% | 67 |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT WILMINGTON (THE) | 65.7% | 72 |
| WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY | 72.8% | 68 |
| SUNY COLLEGE AT OSWEGO | 62.3% | 65 |
| ROWAN UNIVERSITY | 68.1% | 72 |
| CLEMSON UNIVERSITY | 76.0% | 80 |
| NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY | 66.4% | 59 |
| TOWSON UNIVERSITY | 73.2% | 71 |
| CUNY GRADUATE SCHOOL & UNIVERSITY CENTER | 74.6% | 32 |
| INDIANA UNIVERSITY – BLOOMINGTON | 72.5% | 78 |
| WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | 71.2% | 71 |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – OSHKOSH | 70.9% | 54 |
| VALLEY CITY STATE UNIVERSITY | 71.4% | 47 |
| UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – COLUMBIA | 72.8% | 68 |
| UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND – BALTIMORE COUNTY | 69.6% | 63 |
| UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – STOUT | 73.7% | 59 |
| UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA | 71.9% | 83 |
| SALISBURY UNIVERSITY | 70.3% | 67 |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
