2023 Best Military-Friendly Online Colleges

By OnlineU Staff Writers | Updated 1/23/2023

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A military-friendly school is one that actively seeks to support current service members and their families. These online colleges and universities offer a variety of benefits and provide specific services, such as health services and counseling, that speak to the unique needs of military personnel. Military-friendly schools also provide financial assistance to military service members and offer supplemental types of aid. These schools may also grant college credit for previous work and military experience. Whether active duty, veteran, or spouse, these benefits allow individuals to prepare for their careers with a support system that understands their lifestyle and military responsibilities. Students that aren't actively enrolled can still find the best schools for military veterans that offer support in similar ways.

View our methodology for more details about our list, or learn more about OnlineU.

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Online Programs You May Be Interested In

Southern New Hampshire University Online

Annual Tuition: $9,600

Salary Score: 79

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ECPI University Online

Annual Tuition: $16,639 - $17,479

Salary Score: 29

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The University of Arizona Global Campus

Annual Tuition: Not Provided

Salary Score: 62

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List Of Accredited Online Schools

School	Online Enrollment	Annual Tuition
Southern New Hampshire University Online	86,849 86,849	$9,600 $9,600
American Public University System	37,335	$7,324
University of Maryland Global Campus	35,971	$12,336
Liberty University	34,092	$11,700
Arizona State University	33,410	$24,413
Columbia Southern University	14,364	$6,600
University of Massachusetts Global	10,090	$12,440
Saint Leo University Online	8,242	$23,750
Keiser University	7,362	$21,008
Park University	5,473	$11,190

Southern New Hampshire University Online

Annual Tuition: $9,600
Locations: Manchester (NH)
Accreditation: NECHE

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Southern New Hampshire University Online (SNHU) is a private university in Manchester, New Hampshire. The virtual branch of the school features nearly 100 online degrees at the bachelor's level. Subjects range from cybersecurity to nursing and include a wide range of degrees, such as a Bachelor of Science in Operations Management, Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

Military students and their spouses are financially supported through a 30% reduction in their tuition costs. SNHU also accepts tuition assistance through the GI Bill. In addition, military students with disabilities have access to the Online Accessibility Center, where they can receive help with their remote coursework or online forms. Each online program is flexible, and students may finish at home or abroad.

American Public University System

Annual Tuition: $7,324
Locations: Charles Town (WV)
Accreditation: HLC

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The American Public University System (APUS) is a private online university system with its headquarters in Charles Town, West Virginia. Over 50 fully online bachelor's degrees are available through APUS, including a Bachelor of Arts in Transportation and Logistics Management, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, and Bachelor of Arts in Emergency and Disaster Management. Plus, they feature a wide range of security and public safety programs that may be more familiar to military students.

The American Military University (AMU) is an affiliate institution within APUS, where military students are supported in a variety of ways through online resources. APUS already waives application and transfer fees, but for active-duty students, veterans, and their spouses, credit costs can be reduced to $250 per credit. Additional financial support can be found through the eight military-friendly scholarships through APUS and the APU Military Grant, which reduces book costs and technology fees to zero.

University of Maryland Global Campus

Annual Tuition: $12,336
Locations: Adelphi (MD)
Accreditation: MSCHE

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The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) is a public university in Adelphi, Maryland that specializes in online programs and offers over 30 at the bachelor's level. Some examples include a Bachelor of Science in Web and Digital Design, Bachelor of Science in Management Studies, and Bachelor of Arts in English. Each degree is available to students around the world except for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which requires a state nursing license.

For military students, UMGC features a wealth of benefits to help them succeed academically. For example, credit for previous military experience and training is available and the flexible online format of the programs allow students to study online, no matter where they're stationed abroad. Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Air Force service members may also receive a reduced tuition rate and financial assistance. Finally, UMGC employs online military advisors and additional advisors who are stationed in military bases around the country for nearby, in–person assistance.

Liberty University

Annual Tuition: $11,700
Locations: Lynchburg (VA)
Accreditation: SACS COC

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Liberty University (LU) is a private, Baptist university in Lynchburg, Virginia. There are over 100 bachelor's degrees available for students, which are delivered 100% online. They're available in the fields of art and science, education, government, aeronautics, law, music, and more. Some examples include a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management, Bachelor of Science in Special Education, and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. There are also several faith-based degree programs in the areas of religion, bible studies, and theology.

Military students at LU can take advantage of discounted tuition rates of $250 per credit. Veterans who are also first responders may receive a discount as well. Further savings is available through the GI Bill's tuition assistance program. Military training may be translated into college credits as well. The flexibility of LU's online programs is designed to fit the on-demand lifestyle of a service member by offering eight different start dates throughout the year.

Arizona State University

Annual Tuition: $24,413
Locations: Tempe (AZ) (and 4 others)
Accreditation: HLC

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Arizona State University (ASU) is a public research university in Phoenix, Arizona. There are nearly 150 online bachelor's programs to choose from, including those in engineering, nutrition, education, and criminal justice. Students can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Arts in Communication, and Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management. Minors are also available for undergraduate students.

As a research institute and military supporter, ASU has conducted studies in collaboration with the Department of Defense and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. ASU military students and their families may seek financial assistance through the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program, and by using the help of the school's online academic counselors. There are other programs, such as The Veterans Upward Bound, which helps low-income or first-generation ASU students improve their skills, as well as a wealth of military scholarship programs to assist with tuition and other costs.

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Overview of Military-Friendly Online Colleges

Many online colleges and universities welcome military students. According to a 2020 demographic report, over 190,000 active-duty officers had a bachelor's degree or higher. The flexibility of online learning is particularly well suited for active duty military personnel who frequently change locations due to deployment or changes in work assignments.

Can You Be in the Military While Going to College?

You can be in the military while attending college, but only about 6% of undergraduate and graduate students are active-duty service members. However, approximately 10% of all college students are veterans.

Individuals who want to serve their country and go to college simultaneously have two options:

Become a full-time student who serves as a paid reservist or a National Guard member on select weekends and other limited periods of time.
Enlist in a branch of the military and enroll in a college near your base or an online degree program, using tuition assistance to pay for school.

However, you do not have to do both concurrently. You have two other options for serving in the armed forces and receiving college funding as one of your military benefits:

Enlist in any branch of the military and serve a full term, and then use your veterans' benefits to pay for college afterward.
Apply for a Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship and, if accepted, enter into an agreement with a branch of the military that will pay for your college education first in exchange for your commitment to serve a three- to six-year term after you graduate.

Gaining Credits for Military Experience

In many cases, the training and education you have received as a military service member can be converted into college credits. This can save you both time and money by giving you a head start on fulfilling some of the requirements for earning your online degree.

There are several ways schools go about evaluating your previous life experiences to see if you might qualify for any credits:

Conducting a prior learning assessment (PLA) to determine how many credits your experience is worth. The PLA process varies from school to school, but it usually begins when you request a transcript of your military experience. A college faculty member and/or a representative of the American Council on Education will then review your transcript and assess the learning outcomes related to your service and training.
Asking you to take one of several standardized examinations.
Inviting you to present a portfolio of work for review, facilitated by a faculty member or trained evaluator.

The school will then inform you as to which, if any, required courses are considered complete and how many college credits you can receive for your military experience.

Financial Assistance for Online Military Students

One of the most important benefits available to military service members is financial assistance for college. There are two primary types of military benefits:

Tuition assistance provided by the various military branches for active duty service members.

GI Bill benefits provided by the Veterans' Administration for active duty military personnel and veterans.

Below, we provide an overview of these programs and answer some common questions about military benefits, especially when used for online college.

What Online Colleges and Degrees Will the Military Pay For?

Under the GI Bills and other programs, active duty and veteran service members can receive financial assistance for getting an education, whether through traditional means or through online schools. However, not all schools accept veterans' benefits, so prospective military students will want to focus on military-friendly colleges that do.

The Veterans' Administration provides a search tool that will tell you which schools accept veterans' benefits.

These benefit programs allow current and former military service members to pursue accredited associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in all subjects — as well as certificates and vocational training — on a full- or part-time basis. Funding may also be used for continuing education courses needed to maintain professional certification or licensure.

Not only does the government offer assistance with tuition costs, it may also provide funding for school supplies and other expenses, including fees for college entrance exams, such as the SAT, ACT, GMAT, or LSAT, and certification exams. Many service members are eligible for housing stipends — known as the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) — as well, although these stipends are reduced by half if the student is pursuing an online degree.

It's important to note, however, that there are caps on how much money the government will provide. For example, the current maximum amount of annual tuition at a private school that is reimbursable under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is over $26,000. This will not be enough to cover the annual tuition costs at many of the more prestigious private universities, such as Ivy League schools. If students wish to attend schools like Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia, they may need to apply for additional federal financial aid and other sources of college funding.

GI Bill

Enacted during World War II and administered by the Veterans' Administration, the original Montgomery GI Bill was established to encourage veterans to go to college or pursue formal job training. The terms have been revised and updated over time, and an additional program, known as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, was signed into law in 2008. Today, some veterans are eligible for benefits under just one of these bills, while others are eligible under either one. Active duty military personnel, reservists, and National Guard members may also be eligible for GI Bill funding. Benefits typically cover tuition, books, housing, and other expenses.

Your eligibility for benefits under either GI Bill, as well as the amount of benefits, depend on when and how long you served. In general, if you have served on active duty for at least 90 days since September 10, 2001, and you received an honorable discharge, you are eligible for benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Veterans who have served for more than three years, received a Purple Heart, or served for less time but were discharged due to a service-related disability are all entitled to 100% of the available benefits. Veterans should contact the VA directly to determine their exact benefits before applying to online military-friendly universities or trade schools.

If you are eligible for GI Bill benefits, you'll find you have many options for pursuing an education at a military-friendly college. You can study full-time or part-time at online schools or on traditional college campuses, and you can enroll in an associate, bachelor's, master's, or certificate program in any subject you choose.

If you are eligible for either the Montgomery or Post-9/11 benefits, you may want to consult with a VA advisor. Both programs are complex, yet distinctly different, and you may want to get input from an informed advisor before determining which one best fits your plans and goals. You can only use one at a time, and you cannot switch once you've made your choice.

Tuition Assistance

Active duty, National Guard, and Reserve service members are also eligible for the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance (TA) program. As with the GI Bill programs, service members must meet certain requirements to be eligible for TA.

 Here's what you need to know about the TA program:   Benefits can be used at accredited online and bricks-and-mortar schools for courses leading to academic or technical degrees or certificates. 
 The program covers up to 100% of tuition expenses and course fees at schools charging a maximum of $250 per credit hour. 
 TA can only be used while you are still on active duty, although you can use it in conjunction with any GI Bill benefits you may be eligible for. 
  

Additional Funding Through Yellow Ribbon Schools

Due to the limits on how much funding is available, some military students may find they face a gap between their military benefits and the total cost of attending their school and program of choice. To address this issue, many military-friendly colleges participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Yellow Ribbon schools provide additional benefits to military students that may include tuition discounts and scholarships in varying amounts, depending on the school. Military students may also be eligible for federal financial aid, such as Pell grants, state-sponsored scholarships, and school-funded grants and scholarships.

Online College for Military Families

The spouses and dependent children of active duty military members and veterans are entitled to a number of benefits that can make earning an online college degree more affordable. In some cases, military family members who demonstrate significant need may be able to attend online college for free or at minimal cost.

All five major branches of the U.S. military provide education-related financial assistance to spouses, and in some instances to dependent children as well. For example, the Army provides the Mrs. Patty Shinseki Spouse Scholarship Program for spouses of active Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard service members. Families of Navy and Marine Corps service members may be eligible for Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) Education Assistance. Additionally, service members who are eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits may be able to transfer some or all of their education benefits to a spouse or dependent.

Financial assistance is also available from private organizations, states, and colleges. For example, private scholarships include the My Career Advancement Account Scholarship, which provides up to $4,000 for spouses pursuing associate degrees, continuing education programs, or licenses and certifications. Additionally, the National Military Family Association offers a range of scholarships for college students at all levels.

Here are some additional funding sources for military family members:

Most U.S. states offer scholarships and grants for military and National Guard family members, especially for families of service members who were injured or killed in action.
Many military-friendly schools, especially those designated as Yellow Ribbon schools, offer financial assistance to eligible spouses and dependents.

Eligibility requirements for these programs vary, so prospective online college students should check with their schools and their state's Department of Veterans Affairs office to discover all possible options.

Overview of Military-Friendly Online Colleges

Can You Be in the Military While Going to College?

Individuals who want to serve their country and go to college simultaneously have two options:

Become a full-time student who serves as a paid reservist or a National Guard member on select weekends and other limited periods of time.
Enlist in a branch of the military and enroll in a college near your base or an online degree program, using tuition assistance to pay for school.

However, you do not have to do both concurrently. You have two other options for serving in the armed forces and receiving college funding as one of your military benefits:

Enlist in any branch of the military and serve a full term, and then use your veterans' benefits to pay for college afterward.
Apply for a Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship and, if accepted, enter into an agreement with a branch of the military that will pay for your college education first in exchange for your commitment to serve a three- to six-year term after you graduate.

Gaining Credits for Military Experience

There are several ways schools go about evaluating your previous life experiences to see if you might qualify for any credits:

Conducting a prior learning assessment (PLA) to determine how many credits your experience is worth. The PLA process varies from school to school, but it usually begins when you request a transcript of your military experience. A college faculty member and/or a representative of the American Council on Education will then review your transcript and assess the learning outcomes related to your service and training.
Asking you to take one of several standardized examinations.
Inviting you to present a portfolio of work for review, facilitated by a faculty member or trained evaluator.

The school will then inform you as to which, if any, required courses are considered complete and how many college credits you can receive for your military experience.

Financial Assistance for Online Military Students

One of the most important benefits available to military service members is financial assistance for college. There are two primary types of military benefits:

Tuition assistance provided by the various military branches for active duty service members.

GI Bill benefits provided by the Veterans' Administration for active duty military personnel and veterans.

Below, we provide an overview of these programs and answer some common questions about military benefits, especially when used for online college.

What Online Colleges and Degrees Will the Military Pay For?

The Veterans' Administration provides a search tool that will tell you which schools accept veterans' benefits.

GI Bill

Tuition Assistance

 Here's what you need to know about the TA program:   Benefits can be used at accredited online and bricks-and-mortar schools for courses leading to academic or technical degrees or certificates. 
 The program covers up to 100% of tuition expenses and course fees at schools charging a maximum of $250 per credit hour. 
 TA can only be used while you are still on active duty, although you can use it in conjunction with any GI Bill benefits you may be eligible for. 
  

Additional Funding Through Yellow Ribbon Schools

Online College for Military Families

Here are some additional funding sources for military family members:

Most U.S. states offer scholarships and grants for military and National Guard family members, especially for families of service members who were injured or killed in action.
Many military-friendly schools, especially those designated as Yellow Ribbon schools, offer financial assistance to eligible spouses and dependents.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges That Are Military-friendly

Do Online Colleges Give Military Discounts?

Yes, some online, military-friendly schools offer tuition discounts for active duty and veteran service members and even for their spouses and dependents in some cases.

Some schools cap the per-credit tuition cost for military students at a certain amount — usually around $250 — to better align with TA and/or GI Bill awards, while other schools discount the per-credit tuition cost by a specific percentage, such as 10%. The reduction in tuition fees helps military students maximize any financial assistance they receive from the federal government and other sources.

What States Offer Free College for Veterans?

There are several states that cover the total cost of tuition and possibly other fees for veterans who want to earn a college degree. Some of the states offering financial assistance programs to a large number of in-state veterans include Wisconsin, South Dakota, Montana, Massachusetts, Texas, and Illinois. Several additional states — such as Florida and Alabama — offer financial aid for resident veterans who were injured while serving.

Eligibility requirements vary, so veterans should contact the Department of Veterans Affairs office in their state to find out what programs are available.

Do All Colleges Accept Military Tuition Assistance?

No, not every college or university accepts military tuition assistance, such as the GI Bill benefits. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs has the WEAMS Institution Search tool to determine which military-friendly online colleges are GI Bill-approved. This tool helps service members and veterans find online colleges that are military-friendly and accept GI Bill benefits or other forms of military tuition assistance.

How Hard Is It To Get Into a Military-Friendly College?

Getting into military-friendly colleges is not much different than the admission process for applicants who aren’t active duty officers or veterans.

Many colleges and universities still require current service members or veterans to apply for their program, whether online or in-person, through the standard procedure. Just like other college applicants, some service members have difficulty getting into a college due to weak test scores or a low GPA. It's important to prepare before applying to a military-friendly college.

Does Every College Accept the GI Bill?

No, not every college or university in the United States will accept the GI Bill. With this in mind, current service members and veterans looking to find the best colleges for them should read our article about the colleges with the best student veteran resources and salary outcomes. Additionally, prospective students should use the WEAMS Institution Search tool in order to see if they accept military tuition assistance.

In addition, the Department of Veterans Affairs has the GI Bill Comparison tool, which allows users to compare colleges for veterans or military members in order to see what types of benefits are available. The Yellow Ribbon Program, as previously mentioned, also helps active-duty officers and veterans receive additional financial assistance that's not covered by the GI Bill.

Is It Easier To Get Into College After the Military?

Moving from the military to college can be an intimidating experience for many veterans and active-duty officers — especially at first. Fortunately, getting into online military-friendly schools can be smoother by brushing up on your academic skills. For example, you may decide to start your higher education journey by attending a few community college classes first.

Another way to make the process of getting started easier would be to make sure that you're taking advantage of all available resources and financial assistance opportunities, like those listed above.

Lastly, if you're nervous about being accepted, read our article about writing a stand-out college essay. Also, when submitting your college application, you can also include a letter of recommendation from a military superior to further boost your chances of success.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges That Are Military-friendly

Do Online Colleges Give Military Discounts?

Yes, some online, military-friendly schools offer tuition discounts for active duty and veteran service members and even for their spouses and dependents in some cases.

What States Offer Free College for Veterans?

Eligibility requirements vary, so veterans should contact the Department of Veterans Affairs office in their state to find out what programs are available.

Do All Colleges Accept Military Tuition Assistance?

How Hard Is It To Get Into a Military-Friendly College?

Getting into military-friendly colleges is not much different than the admission process for applicants who aren’t active duty officers or veterans.

Does Every College Accept the GI Bill?

Is It Easier To Get Into College After the Military?

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2023 Best Military-Friendly Online Colleges

Online Programs You May Be Interested In

List Of Accredited Online Schools

Southern New Hampshire University Online

American Public University System

University of Maryland Global Campus

Liberty University

Arizona State University

Overview of Military-Friendly Online Colleges

Can You Be in the Military While Going to College?

Gaining Credits for Military Experience

Financial Assistance for Online Military Students

What Online Colleges and Degrees Will the Military Pay For?

GI Bill

Tuition Assistance

Here's what you need to know about the TA program:

Additional Funding Through Yellow Ribbon Schools

Online College for Military Families

Overview of Military-Friendly Online Colleges

Can You Be in the Military While Going to College?

Gaining Credits for Military Experience

Financial Assistance for Online Military Students

What Online Colleges and Degrees Will the Military Pay For?

GI Bill

Tuition Assistance

Here's what you need to know about the TA program:

Additional Funding Through Yellow Ribbon Schools

Online College for Military Families

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges That Are Military-friendly

Do Online Colleges Give Military Discounts?

What States Offer Free College for Veterans?

Do All Colleges Accept Military Tuition Assistance?

How Hard Is It To Get Into a Military-Friendly College?

Does Every College Accept the GI Bill?

Is It Easier To Get Into College After the Military?

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges That Are Military-friendly

Do Online Colleges Give Military Discounts?

What States Offer Free College for Veterans?

Do All Colleges Accept Military Tuition Assistance?

How Hard Is It To Get Into a Military-Friendly College?

Does Every College Accept the GI Bill?

Is It Easier To Get Into College After the Military?

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