When it comes to topping up your academic credentials, nothing beats reading for a degree in the field of your choice from the comfort of your home.
This is where online colleges for veterans and active-duty personnel come in.
When you choose to attend military-friendly schools online, you’ll be able to complete a degree despite the challenges of moving, family life, employment, and deployment.
However, with so many options available, how do you find the best online colleges for military personnel?
We’ve compiled a list of the best online schools for military service members. These military-friendly colleges and universities offer online programs guaranteed to meet the demands of your ever-changing military lifestyle.
Read on to find out where active and retired service members can go for the best online education.
1. American Military University
American Military University (AMU) ranks as one of the best online schools for military personnel. AMU specializes in providing education to military personnel, veterans, and civilian students interested in national security and public service fields.
As a part of the American Public University System (APUS), AMU offers online programs for active and retired personnel in the following fields:
- Information technology
- Homeland security
- Engineering
- Education
- Business
- Arts and the humanities
- Nursing and health sciences
- Public safety
- Global security
At the time of writing, AMU courses cost roughly $250 per credit hour. Veterans can get a 10% discount off the total tuition using their veteran grants. Students can also enjoy ebooks free of charge. Besides its competitive tuition fees, the university accepts GI Bill benefit payments.
Alumni have also appreciated AMU for the flexibility of its courses and being able to attend whilst on deployment. The online format has also helped alumni complete their courses despite multiple relocations.
To register, you must have documents showing military service. If you’ve already got a degree under your belt, you can have your college credits accredited with AMU’s transfer credit evaluation (TCE).
2. Penn State World Campus
Penn State World Campus is an online learning platform offered by Pennsylvania State University. The platform provides active-duty and retired service members with flexible online degree programs that can be completed from anywhere in the world.
As one of the best military-friendly colleges online, Penn State World Campus is open not just to active service members and veterans but also to the dependents and spouses of service members and veterans, providing courses in numerous fields such as:
- Business
- Education
- Energy and sustainability
- Engineering
- Geospatial studies
- Health and family services
- Homeland security
Degrees in the above areas of study are available in undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate levels — and all can be taken online. Many of these courses cater to the unique needs of service members, with some even starting new careers and businesses using what they’ve learned.
Admission requires no more than proof of military service. College credits can be submitted for TCE.
Tuition runs from $626 to $671 per credit, but Penn State World Campus offers payment options and grants to beneficiaries of the GI Benefit Bill and Federal Student Aid.
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
Also among the best online colleges for veterans and active personnel is South New Hampshire University (SNHU). SNHU offers more than 200 flexible and affordable online courses for veterans as well as their dependents and spouses.
The course offerings are under a broad range of fields. These fields include:
- Accounting and finance
- Art and design
- Business
- Criminal justice
- Education
- Engineering
- Health
- Liberal arts
With hundreds of courses to choose from, active military personnel, veterans, and their dependents have found courses that have helped them meet their preferences and career goals.
If you’re enrolling in SNHU, the university has fixed term start dates, and you must register weeks before the term starts. You’ll need records showing your military service and any proof of previous academic achievement (if you have any).
The online tuition costs around $39,600, making it one of the most affordable military-friendly schools online.
Like other online schools for military service members, SNHU has options for Federal Student Aid payments. You can also pay using your GI Benefit.
4. University of Phoenix
The University of Phoenix is a private, for-profit institution that offers online degree programs suitable for active-duty and retired service members.
Besides degree-level online courses, the University of Phoenix also offers over 300 certificate-grade programs. These certification programs are widely recognized and align with multiple career paths — in and out of the military.
Courses are also always on 24/7, meaning you can sit in for yours at any time of your convenience during deployment. Many graduates have benefited from the university’s online platform, earning degrees through multiple deployments and relocations.
At the time of writing, the tuition for degree-level online courses costs $398 per credit. Meanwhile, master’s degree courses are $698 per credit, and doctorate courses cost $810 per credit.
The University of Phoenix accepts Federal Student Aid and other veteran benefits like the GI Benefit, so these options are available if you wish to enroll.
Registration is easy, requiring no SATs ACT, GMAT, or GRE. All you need is a document showing your military service, and you’re good to go.
5. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU)
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) is one of the best colleges for military service members with its courses in aviation and aerospace.
With a history dating back to 1970, Embry-Riddle offers online degree programs that cater to the needs of active-duty and retired service members. The university’s online programs are also available in more than 100 active military bases, helping veterans and service members complete their degrees during deployment.
ERAU offers numerous courses, most of which are tied to the aerospace and aviation industry. With hundreds of courses for you to choose from, ERAU is one of the best schools for veterans if you’re looking for progression in the aforementioned industries.
Tuition fees in ERAU range from $250 to $850 per credit hour, with the highest fees being in graduate-level online courses. Like many of the best online colleges for veterans and active-duty personnel, ERAU offers financial aid in the form of Federal Student Aid and other government-backed financial programs for service members.
ERAU accepts all student credentials, including associate-level certifications.
Upgrade Your Credentials With the Best Schools for Military Service Members
Whichever option you go with, these institutions offer flexible programs, tailored support services, and financial aid options to help you achieve your academic and career goals while serving your country.
Enroll in the best online colleges for veterans and military service members and take your knowledge and credentials to the next level.
Sources:
- https://www.amu.apus.edu/
- https://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/military
- https://www.snhu.edu/online-degrees
- https://www.phoenix.edu/military.html
- https://worldwide.erau.edu/administration/military-veterans
