Best Military-Friendly Colleges in Virginia 2026

Military-friendly colleges provide support services for service members, veterans, and their families. They offer flexible transfer credit policies, financial aid assistance, and personalized guidance for military students.

Students can utilize military education benefits and choose to attend classes online or on campus. Virginia colleges can make higher education more accessible for service members during or after their time on active duty.

Many of these institutions participate in programs like the GI Bill, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and Military Tuition Assistance. These are just some programs that can decrease college expenses for students currently serving or who have previously served on active duty.

Military-Friendly Colleges in Virginia

These accredited military-friendly colleges in Virginia provide veterans and active-duty service members with the resources they need to excel in their degree programs.

1. Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech's Office of Veteran Services supports military students during the admissions process and throughout their degree programs. The military enrollment staff are readily available to help students navigate educational benefits, provide mentoring, and connect them with resources for both financial and academic assistance. Virginia Tech's military students and their eligible family members can receive in-state tuition rates regardless of their residency location.

2. University of Virginia

The University of Virginia (UVA), another one of Virginia's military-friendly colleges, provides resources for veterans and active-duty military students, including academic advising, tutoring services, and even mental health support. UVA welcomes students all military students, even those from out-of-state, by helping them cover tuition costs through the Yellow Ribbon Program.

3. James Madison University

James Madison University (JMU) supports its military students with many resources. As a GI-Bill-approved school, JMU helps students determine the benefits they are eligible for and the best way to use them. The admissions staff can also guide additional opportunities for service members and veterans, directing them to resources and programs.

4. Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University (ODU), like most military-friendly schools, offers several bachelor's degree programs with flexible scheduling options for military students on top of their many veteran support services.

The staff at ODU's Military Connection Center assist students throughout the application and financial aid processes. They are dedicated to helping military students maximize their educational benefits, like the GI Bill and the Tuition Assistance (TA) program.

5. George Mason University

George Mason University (GMU) also offers comprehensive support for active-duty and veteran students through its Office of Military Services. They provide academic advising, VA benefits guidance, and career services. Aside from accepting the GI Bill and other military benefit programs, GMU has several scholarships to assist its military community.

6. Liberty University

Liberty University offers online programs with flexible schedules and allows transfer credit for qualifying military training. It not only accepts educational benefits like the GI Bill, Military Tuition Assistance, and the Yellow Ribbon Program, but it also provides discounted tuition rates for military students.

7. Radford University

Radford University offers tailored assistance to military-affiliated students, including personalized academic advising and financial aid resources. The university's Military Resource Center provides veterans and active-duty students the support they need to transition smoothly into academic life.

8. Hampton University

Hampton University is another one of the best colleges in Virginia for military students. The school supports its service members and veteran students with specialized military services. The university encourages students to utilize their military benefits and helps them navigate the numerous educational assistance programs available for veterans and military service members.

9. Norfolk State University

Norfolk State University's has academic advising, career counseling, and financial aid services for its military students. Their support and resources help guide students through their degree programs and are readily available to provide information about benefits like the Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bill.

10. University of Mary Washington

The University of Mary Washington's students can access support through the Veterans Resource Center. The school offers flexible learning options and dedicated programs to help veterans throughout their degree program. As a military-friendly school, the University of Mary Washington accepts military benefits. However, because eligibility varies, the Choice Act ensures in-state tuition rates for out-of-state students.

Does the U.S. Military Offer Free College?

The U.S. Military offers several education programs to help service members, veterans, and their families pay for college. Eligibility requirements vary but depending on how much assistance you qualify for, they can be used to cover the entire cost of tuition.

GI Bill Benefits

The Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill provide educational benefits for veterans, active-duty service members, military spouses, and dependents. The financial support helps military students pursue higher education either during or after their time serving.

The Department of Veterans Affairs' GI Bill benefits cover various costs, including tuition, fees, housing, and course materials. This makes it one of the most helpful education benefits for part-time and full-time military students.

Department of Defense (DoD) Tuition Assistance

Tuition Assistance (TA) is a Department of Defense financial aid program for active-duty service members. The program covers up to $4,500 in tuition expenses each academic year for qualifying students at accredited schools. Even though the TA program often pays for the full tuition cost, the VA Top-Up program is available to help cover any remaining tuition expenses.

Military College Funds

Military college funds are additional benefits that different branches of the military provide such as the Army, Marine Corps, and Armed Forces. College funds are often referred to as ''kickers'' and can increase the amount of assistance you receive with your GI Bill benefits.

FAQs About Military-Friendly Colleges in Virginia

Because there are so many different programs available, many prospective undergraduate students are left with these common questions.

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

Admission requirements vary, but the best military-friendly colleges in Virginia welcome service members and veterans. They offer application waivers, priority enrollment, and the ability to transfer military training to receive academic credit.

Are There Military-Friendly Online Colleges in Virginia?

Yes, many colleges in Virginia also offer online programs designed to be military-friendly. Online degrees have flexible course schedules, making them ideal for service members who are pursuing their education program while also attending to their military commitments.

Is College Free for Veterans in Virginia?

While college is not entirely free for student veterans in Virginia, they can combine benefit programs to cover their tuition expenses completely. Veteran benefits like the GI Bill, Tuition Assistance (TA), the Top-Up Program, and the Yellow Ribbon Program have the potential to make community colleges and four-year colleges free for veterans.