Easiest Online Colleges for Military Members 2026

Balancing college with military service isn’t easy. Between deployments, Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves, irregular schedules, and family responsibilities, many service members and veterans need an online college that works around real life—not the other way around. That’s why the “easiest” online colleges for military members aren’t about shortcuts or watered-down academics. They’re about flexibility, clear pathways, and schools that understand how military life actually works.

The easiest online colleges for military members make it simpler to turn training and experience into college credit, stay enrolled during transitions, and move steadily toward graduation. These schools offer flexible pacing, military support services, and financial aid options that can reduce both stress and out-of-pocket costs. Below, we’ll break down what makes a college military-friendly and highlight online schools that help service members and veterans earn a degree without putting their lives on hold.

What Makes an Online College “Easy” for Military Members?

An online college can feel “easy” or difficult depending on how well it fits the realities of military life. For service members and veterans, the most accessible schools are the ones that remove friction, respect prior experience, and stay flexible when plans change. Things that may make a school “easy” may include:

• Credit for military training and experience: Military-friendly colleges evaluate Joint Services Transcript (JST), Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), and prior learning to reduce the number of courses you need to complete.
  
• Flexible term structures and course pacing: Shorter terms, rolling start dates, self-paced formats, and year-round enrollment make it easier to stay on track despite unpredictable schedules.
  
• Military-friendly academic policies: The best schools offer deployment accommodations, deadline flexibility, and leave-of-absence options without penalizing your progress.
  
• Online student support built for service members: Dedicated military advisors, tutoring, and tech support help ensure you’re not navigating enrollment, benefits, or coursework alone.

10 Easiest Online Colleges for Military Members

Several colleges and universities have programs in place to make earning a college degree flexible and accommodating for current military members and veterans. We’ve highlighted some of the “easiest” online colleges for service members below.

1. Charter Oak State College

Charter Oak State College is based in New Britain, Connecticut, and is known nationally for helping adult and military students turn prior learning into a degree. The school specializes in flexible degree completion, making it a strong option if you’re coming in with military training or previous college credit.

Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), Charter Oak JST and other military credits to reduce time to graduation. The college accepts GI Bill benefits, Tuition Assistance, and federal financial aid, and its advising model is built to support students balancing service commitments.

2. Empire State University

Empire State University focuses on adult learners who need flexible, online pathways that fit around work and life responsibilities. Many military members choose Empire State for its individualized degree plans and supportive academic advising.

The university is headquartered in Saratoga Springs, New York, and holds accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Empire State accepts military education benefits, including the GI Bill and Tuition Assistance, and reviews military training for potential credit. Its flexible pacing and transfer-friendly policies make it an accessible choice for service members and veterans.

3. Excelsior University

Excelsior University has a long history of serving military-connected students, particularly those looking to finish a degree efficiently. Its programs are designed with transfer students in mind, making it easier to apply prior college coursework and military training toward graduation.

Located in Albany, New York, Excelsior is accredited by the MSCHE. The university evaluates JST credit and accepts GI Bill benefits, Tuition Assistance, and federal financial aid. Flexible course formats and clear degree pathways make Excelsior an accessible option for active-duty service members and veterans.

4. Franklin University

Franklin University is designed for working adults who need an education that fits around professional and personal responsibilities, making it a natural fit for many military members and veterans. Its online programs focus on predictable pacing and career-aligned coursework that supports steady, manageable progress.

The university accepts GI Bill benefits, Tuition Assistance, and federal financial aid, and it reviews military training and prior learning for potential credit. Franklin University is based in Columbus, Ohio, and is accredited by the HLC, offering military students a flexible but well-established path to earning a degree.

5. National University

National University is especially popular with active-duty service members thanks to its one-course-at-a-time format and frequent start dates. Courses typically run in short, intensive terms, which can make it easier to focus while balancing deployments, training schedules, or family responsibilities.

The university accepts GI Bill benefits, Tuition Assistance, and federal financial aid, and it evaluates military training for academic credit. National University is headquartered in San Diego, California, and is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), offering a flexible and military-aware learning environment.

6. Penn State World Campus

Penn State World Campus offers online degrees backed by a large public research university, appealing to military students who want structure without giving up flexibility. Programs are fully online and supported by extensive academic and student services.

Based in University Park, Pennsylvania, Penn State World Campus is part of The Pennsylvania State University system and is accredited by the MSCHE. The school accepts GI Bill benefits, Tuition Assistance, and federal aid, and provides dedicated resources for military-affiliated students navigating enrollment and benefits.

7. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is known for making online education approachable, especially for students returning to school after time away. Its online programs are built around flexible pacing and frequent start dates, which can help military members stay enrolled despite changing schedules.

SNHU accepts GI Bill benefits, Tuition Assistance, and federal financial aid, and it reviews military training and transfer credits to reduce time to completion. The university is based in Manchester, New Hampshire, and holds accreditation from the NECHE, offering a well-established and supportive option for service members and veterans.

8. Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University (TESU) is often chosen by military students who want the fastest possible path to a degree. The university is especially transfer-friendly and known for awarding credit for military training, exams, and prior learning.

Located in Trenton, New Jersey, TESU is accredited by the MSCHE. The school accepts GI Bill benefits, Tuition Assistance, and federal financial aid, and its flexible enrollment and degree-completion focus make it an accessible choice for active-duty service members and veterans.

9. University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) was built specifically to serve military and working adult learners, with a long-standing presence on military installations around the world. Its online programs are designed to remain accessible across time zones and during deployments.

UMGC accepts GI Bill benefits, Tuition Assistance, and federal financial aid, and it regularly evaluates military training for academic credit. Headquartered in Adelphi, Maryland, the university is accredited by the MSCHE. Dedicated military advising and flexible academic policies make UMGC one of the most accessible options for service members and veterans.

10. Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) takes a competency-based approach that allows students to progress by demonstrating mastery rather than following a fixed term schedule. This model can be especially effective for military members with relevant experience who want to move quickly through familiar material.

The university accepts GI Bill benefits and federal financial aid, and many programs align well with military and civilian career pathways. WGU is headquartered in Salt Lake City and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), offering a flexible and self-paced option for military learners.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university.

To identify the easiest online colleges for military members, we focused on schools that actively reduce barriers created by deployments, relocations, and demanding schedules. Each school on this list was evaluated for how well it supports military learners from enrollment through graduation, with particular attention to flexibility, recognition of prior experience, and long-term degree value. We also considered:

• Accreditation: Ensures degrees are widely recognized and eligible for military education benefits, protecting the long-term value of your credential.
  
• Online availability: Allows students to complete coursework from anywhere, making it easier to stay enrolled during PCS moves or deployments.
  
• Career alignment: Connects degree programs to civilian and military career pathways, helping students apply their education after service.
  
• Student outcomes: Reflects graduation, persistence, and post-program success, signaling schools that consistently support military students through completion.

How Military Members Can Pay for Online College

Paying for college looks different for military members and veterans, especially when multiple benefits can be used together. Many online colleges on this list accept a range of military and federal funding options, making it possible to reduce or even eliminate out-of-pocket costs.

• GI Bill benefits: The Post-9/11 GI Bill can help cover tuition and fees for approved online programs, allowing veterans and eligible service members to earn a degree without relocating.
  
• Tuition Assistance for active-duty service members: Branch-specific Tuition Assistance programs may cover a portion of tuition costs for eligible active-duty students, often used alongside GI Bill benefits.
  
• FAFSA and federal financial aid: Completing the FAFSA can unlock Pell Grants and federal student loans, which many military students use to supplement education benefits.
  
• Military and veteran scholarships: Some schools and outside organizations offer scholarships specifically for military-affiliated students, helping offset remaining costs not covered by benefits.

What to Look for in a Military-Friendly Online College

Not every military member or veteran uses the same education benefits, so it’s important to look beyond GI Bill approval alone. A truly military-friendly online college supports service members at every stage, whether you’re on active duty, transitioning to civilian life, or returning to school after service. Consider factors like:

• Accreditation and long-term degree value: Ensures your degree is widely recognized and eligible for military and federal education benefits.
  
• Transfer credit and military training evaluation: Reduces time to graduation by applying military experience and prior coursework toward your degree.
  
• Program pacing and term structure: Offers flexible schedules that work around deployments, training, and shift-based responsibilities.
  
• Support services for veterans and active-duty students: Provides access to advisors and resources familiar with military benefits and policies.
  
• Career alignment and post-graduation outcomes: Helps translate military experience and education into civilian career opportunities.

FAQs About Easiest Online Colleges for Military Members

Whether you’re active-duty or a veteran, choosing a supportive online college can feel overwhelming. To help you out, we’ve answered some frequently asked questions below.

Do Online Colleges Accept Military Training for Credit?

Many military-friendly online colleges evaluate military training and experience for academic credit through tools like the Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF). While credit awards vary by school and degree program, this process can significantly reduce the number of courses you need to complete and shorten your time to graduation.

Can I Earn an Online Degree While on Active Duty?

Many active-duty service members successfully earn online degrees while serving. Military-friendly colleges are built around flexible schedules, asynchronous coursework, and online access, making it easier to balance classes with duty hours, training, and deployments when paired with Tuition Assistance or other benefits.

Does “Easy” Mean the Degree Is Less Respected?

“Easy” refers to flexibility and support, not academic quality. Accredited online colleges with military-friendly policies offer the same degrees as their on-campus counterparts, and employers typically focus on accreditation, skills gained, and experience rather than whether a program was designed to be flexible.

What Happens If I’m Deployed Mid-Term?

Military-friendly online colleges typically offer deployment accommodations, such as deadline extensions, temporary leaves of absence, or options to complete coursework remotely. Policies vary by school, but institutions experienced with military students are generally prepared to help you stay enrolled or resume without penalty.

Are Online Colleges Flexible With PCS Moves and Time Zones?

Most military-focused online colleges are designed to support students during a Permanent Change of Station (PCS), including moves across time zones or overseas. Fully online coursework, recorded lectures, and flexible deadlines help ensure you can continue your education without interruption during relocations.

Explore Military-Friendly Online Colleges

Find accessible, flexible, military-friendly programs by exploring the online colleges featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about their programs, admissions, and military support services.