Best Online Military-Friendly Colleges of 2025
What’s a military-friendly college? Learn about the benefits of attending military-friendly online colleges and how they support military personnel, veterans, and family members.At BestColleges.com, we believe in providing accurate and actionable information for students. Our writers, editors, and reporters are constantly asking themselves the question, ”What information is vital to students right now?” Answering this question is what drives us. Our mission is to inform students through straightforward, factual content informed by the latest data and trends.
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At BestColleges.com, we believe in providing accurate and actionable information for students. Our writers, editors, and reporters are constantly asking themselves the question, ”What information is vital to students right now?” Answering this question is what drives us. Our mission is to inform students through straightforward, factual content informed by the latest data and trends.
The freelance Integrity Network at BestColleges is comprised of seasoned professionals who bring their expertise to almost every subject relevant to college students, including admissions, college majors, financial aid, and student mental health. Network members review and author content, pulling from their first-hand industry experience and ensuring content is as accurate and up-to-date as possible.
If you're interested in joining our Integrity Network, contact us at media@bestcolleges.com. Integrity Network members typically have a graduate or terminal degree and several years of relevant professional experience.
Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.
Navigating the landscape of college after the military can feel like no-man’s-land. Online military-friendly colleges understand that military students want the highest return on their investment when using their benefits.
The United States has some 16.2 million veterans as of 2022 and 1.31 million active duty military members at home and abroad as of 2024. Military-friendly online colleges offer services and resources dedicated to helping veteran students, military service members, and their families.
So, why go to a military-friendly college? We’ll walk you through the benefits of attending military-friendly online colleges, financial aid options for military students, and tuition estimates.
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges for Military Students
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL4 yearCampus + Online
$4,477
$25,694
23%
57%
$10,770
$27,335
97%
54,442
Public
Yes
$4,477
$25,694
Gainesville, FL4 yearCampus + Online
$4,477
$25,694
23%
57%
$10,770
$27,335
97%
54,442
Public
Yes
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA4 yearCampus + Online
$9,796
$33,960
89%
71%
$13,426
$35,377
87%
39,528
Public
Yes
$9,796
$33,960
Fairfax, VA4 yearCampus + Online
$9,796
$33,960
89%
71%
$13,426
$35,377
87%
39,528
Public
Yes
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL4 yearCampus + Online
$6,368
$22,467
43%
9%
$6,916
$25,759
92%
68,842
Public
Yes
$6,368
$22,467
Orlando, FL4 yearCampus + Online
$6,368
$22,467
43%
9%
$6,916
$25,759
92%
68,842
Public
Yes
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ4 yearCampus + Online
$11,210
$35,628
86%
60%
$12,348
$32,290
88%
53,187
Public
Yes
$11,210
$35,628
Tucson, AZ4 yearCampus + Online
$11,210
$35,628
86%
60%
$12,348
$32,290
88%
53,187
Public
Yes
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO4 yearCampus + Online
$13,000
$33,200
77%
54%
$10,447
$28,605
91%
31,041
Public
Yes
$13,000
$33,200
Columbia, MO4 yearCampus + Online
$13,000
$33,200
77%
54%
$10,447
$28,605
91%
31,041
Public
Yes
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Baton Rouge, LA4 yearCampus + Online
$8,047
$24,731
74%
48%
$9,132
$9,132
84%
39,418
Public
Yes
$8,047
$24,731
Baton Rouge, LA4 yearCampus + Online
$8,047
$24,731
74%
48%
$9,132
$9,132
84%
39,418
Public
Yes
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst, MA4 yearCampus + Online
$16,591
$38,527
58%
21%
$14,364
$31,489
91%
31,810
Public
Yes
$16,591
$38,527
Amherst, MA4 yearCampus + Online
$16,591
$38,527
58%
21%
$14,364
$31,489
91%
31,810
Public
Yes
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS4 yearCampus + Online
$9,632
$25,944
80%
49%
$10,294
$23,018
87%
19,745
Public
Yes
$9,632
$25,944
Manhattan, KS4 yearCampus + Online
$9,632
$25,944
80%
49%
$10,294
$23,018
87%
19,745
Public
Yes
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR4 yearCampus + Online
$7,666
$26,690
72%
36%
$7,875
$21,420
86%
32,140
Public
Yes
$7,666
$26,690
Fayetteville, AR4 yearCampus + Online
$7,666
$26,690
72%
36%
$7,875
$21,420
86%
32,140
Public
Yes
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$56,595
$56,595
78%
42%
$36,234
$36,234
90%
21,573
Private
Yes
$56,595
$56,595
Philadelphia, PA4 yearCampus + Online
$56,595
$56,595
78%
42%
$36,234
$36,234
90%
21,573
Private
Yes
3 Benefits of a Military-Friendly College
- Academic Credit for Military Experience. Military-friendly colleges accept Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Air Force credits for military training and vocational specialties in accordance with the American Council on Education. They have experience evaluating Joint Service Transcripts and Community College of the Air Force transcripts.
- Resources and Support Services for the Military. Transitioning from service to school can be difficult. You want to attend a college that offers a designated center or lounge for veterans. An online school may have a dedicated page of resources for veterans. A liaison to help active duty military and veteran students access resources or process fee waivers also makes the transition easier. In addition, look for student organizations for veterans and military personnel.
- Discounts For Military Personnel and Veterans. Many colleges offer discounted tuition, application fee waivers, and scholarships to military members, their families, and veterans. This is important because the GI Bill may not cover the total cost of college.
Financial Aid Opportunities for Military Students
What’s the best way to pay for a military-friendly college? Fortunately, service members and veterans qualify for all kinds of financial aid and support.
Based on military service, you may qualify for the GI Bill® and Yellow Ribbon Program, which can cover 100% of tuition and other education expenses. You may also qualify for financial aid through military tuition assistance programs and scholarship opportunities for service members and veterans. In addition, submitting the FAFSA will help connect you to college grants, scholarships, and loans.
When researching financial aid, check which schools accept veteran and military financial benefits.
GI Bill
Military students can take advantage of the GI Bill to cover education expenses. Eligible service members include those who served at least 90 days on active duty and dependent children of qualifying service members.
The GI Bill covers up to the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at public universities. Recipients also qualify for up to $28,937 at private institutions. The GI Bill can also help cover housing, books, supplies, and relocation expenses.
Check out our guide to learn more about GI Bill benefits.
Yellow Ribbon Program
The Yellow Ribbon Program provides additional financial support for expenses not covered by the GI Bill. Recipients must meet the GI Bill eligibility requirements. The program also covers active duty service members if they have already served 36 months.
The amount of financial support varies depending on the agreement between the VA and your school. Only participating schools offer Yellow Ribbon funding, and many set a maximum number of recipients, so reach out to your school for more information. The program is usually only applicable to for-profit or private schools.
Military Tuition Assistance
Each branch of the military offers a tuition assistance program. Tuition assistance may cover up to 100% of tuition expenses. However, recipients must meet eligibility requirements based on their branch of service.
For example, the Air Force and Coast Guard provide up to $4,500 per year for active duty and reserve members, while the Army covers up to $4,000 per year. The Navy, Marines, and Space Force also provide up to $4,500 per year, though the benefit only extends to active-duty members. Check with your school’s certifying official for information.
Scholarships
Military students qualify for multiple college scholarships. In addition to general scholarships, you can apply for military and veteran scholarships. Military students enrolled in online colleges also qualify for online student scholarships. Research scholarship opportunities to identify funding sources.
Grants
Like scholarships, college grants represent free money for school. Military students qualify for the Pell Grant, which offers up to $7,395 for the 2024-2025 school year. Children of service members who died in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11 and who qualify for the Pell Grant may also qualify for the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant.
How to Choose an Online Military-Friendly College
The best online colleges for military students offer affordability, online student resources, and veteran support. But how should you compare online schools for military service members and veterans? This section discusses the factors to consider when choosing an online college as a veteran or military student.
Cost
Undergraduate students at public four-year colleges in the 2022-2023 school year paid a national average of $9,750 for tuition and fees, compared to $35,248 at private four-year colleges, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Many factors influence the real cost of college. Generally, private schools cost more than public schools, and out-of-state student are charged a higher rate.
That said, online students often pay a flat tuition rate or can often qualify for out-of-state discounts.
Veteran and Military Services and Programs
True military-friendly schools offer support services and programs even before enrollment. Colleges may offer an orientation specifically for veterans or serving military members.
Military-friendly online colleges also have dedicated services, programs, and advisors to help you get your military transcripts, obtain application fee waivers, and even get priority registration. You may also find career assistance and internships specifically for veterans.
Online Learning Format
Online learning can be an ideal format for active duty service members or busy military students who have jobs and/or families. Online degrees often use asynchronous coursework that lets you submit classwork and watch pre-recorded lectures on your own time.
Your college may also offer courses on base or at a nearby satellite campus. The availability of online courses depends on the school and your degree.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Military-Friendly Colleges
A military-friendly college caters to the specific needs of troops and their spouses. These colleges and universities have dedicated independent centers with advisors for veterans and military personnel. You’ll also find resources such as separate centers, lounges, or student organizations and clubs that offer a chance to connect with other military students.
Some colleges earn the Military Friendly Schools or Military Friendly Spouse School designation by completing an extensive survey provided by VIQTORY, a veteran-owned business not affiliated with the Department of Defense.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
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