10 Best Online Colleges for Veterans 2027

Leaving the military opens the door to a new chapter, and for many veterans, that chapter starts with a college degree. Online programs make it easier to study while you start a civilian job, care for family, or settle into a new community, and your GI Bill benefits can cover much of the cost.

Plenty of military-friendly online colleges serve active-duty service members, but the schools below stand out for the support they give veterans after separation. You'll find details on benefits, veteran services, and what to look for as you choose a program.

What Makes an Online College Veteran-Friendly?

A veteran-friendly online college does more than process your GI Bill paperwork. These schools typically have a dedicated veterans' office or resource center, certifying officials who understand VA benefits, and advisors who can help you plan a degree around your goals. Many also award credit for military training listed on your Joint Services Transcript (JST), which can shorten your time to graduation.

Career support is another big piece. The best schools help you translate military experience into civilian terms, connect with employers who hire veterans, and build peer networks with other student veterans. Some even host VA counselors on campus who can help with education benefits, Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) services, and referrals.

Best Online Colleges for Veterans

These 10 schools combine flexible online programs with strong support for veterans and their benefits. Each entry highlights what sets the school apart for students who have completed their service.

1. University of Nebraska Omaha

The University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) has earned the top spot for traditional and online education in Military Times' Best for Vets rankings, and it's consistently ranked among the nation's best public universities for veterans. Its Office of Military and Veteran Services and Military-Connected Resource Center help you manage benefits, connect with peers, and plan your next steps.

UNO's online programs include business, criminal justice, cybersecurity, and IT, with many delivered by the same faculty who teach on campus. The public university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

2. Penn State World Campus

Penn State World Campus has been named the No. 1 online school for veterans by Military Times, and it offers more than 200 online degree and certificate programs. Dedicated military admissions and academic advising teams know how VA education benefits work, so you'll have help from application to graduation.

Advisors also help you seek credit for military training and service schools. Penn State is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and its online degrees carry the same diploma as campus programs.

3. Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) ranks among the top schools in the Military Friendly® ratings and also earns high marks as a military spouse-friendly school. Its Office of Military and Veteran Affairs supports veterans and their families, and the university runs a Veterans Upward Bound program for first-generation and low-income veterans preparing for college.

EKU Online offers degrees in fields that connect well with military experience, including a master's in safety, security, and emergency management. The public university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

4. University of Central Florida

Through its Veterans Academic Resource Center, the University of Central Florida (UCF) provides academic support, benefits guidance, and community for student veterans. UCF Online offers a wide range of bachelor's and master's programs, and its online graduate nursing programs have been recognized among the best for veterans.

As one of the largest public universities in the country, UCF gives online students access to extensive career and advising services. The university is accredited by SACSCOC.

5. Kansas State University

Kansas State University (K-State) has been named a Top Ten Military Friendly School and a Top Ten Military Spouse Friendly School. The university maintains a long-standing partnership with Fort Riley and offers specialized offices at both Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth, plus military-affiliated resource centers for student veterans.

K-State delivers a wide selection of online degrees through its Global Campus, giving you access to a major research university without relocating. K-State is accredited by the HLC.

6. Texas A&M University-Central Texas

Located next to Fort Cavazos, Texas A&M University-Central Texas has deep ties to the military community. Its Military and Veteran Services Center certifies benefits and monitors your degree progress, and a full-time VA counselor works on campus through the VetSuccess on Campus program.

The university offers online bachelor's and master's programs in arts and sciences, business, and education. It supports the Post-9/11 GI Bill, VR&E, and the Texas Hazlewood Act, and it's accredited by SACSCOC.

7. Oregon State University Ecampus

Oregon State University's Ecampus offers dozens of online bachelor's programs, and U.S. News & World Report has ranked it among the top online schools for veterans several years in a row. Ecampus courses are designed by the same faculty who teach on campus in Corvallis.

As a public university, Oregon State charges in-state tuition to eligible veterans using GI Bill benefits, which can help your benefits go further. The university is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

8. Arizona State University

Arizona State University's (ASU) Pat Tillman Veterans Center serves both campus and online students with benefits certification, career support, and community programming. ASU Online offers hundreds of degree programs, with accelerated sessions and multiple start dates throughout the year.

You'll find options in supply chain management, engineering, criminal justice, and other fields that build on military skills. ASU is a public research university accredited by the HLC.

9. Saint Leo University

If you're considering a private school, Saint Leo University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which can help cover tuition costs beyond the GI Bill's annual cap. Saint Leo has also topped national Best for Vets rankings and has a long history of serving veterans through its education centers.

Online degrees include business, criminal justice, cybersecurity, and health care management. The private Catholic university is accredited by SACSCOC.

10. University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) has worked with service members and veterans for decades, and its programs are designed for working adults. Online degrees span cybersecurity, IT, business, and healthcare administration, with flexible schedules that fit around a civilian job.

UMGC accepts a generous amount of transfer credit, including credit for military training, and its veteran advisors can help you get the most from your benefits. The public university is accredited by MSCHE.

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. We also review each school's veteran services, benefit policies, and national recognition for serving veterans.

Each school on the list shows a clear commitment to student veterans. The following criteria shaped our final rankings:

• Accreditation: Every school holds institutional accreditation from an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Veteran support services: Dedicated veterans' offices, resource centers, and benefit certifying staff were key factors.
• Benefit-friendly policies: Yellow Ribbon participation, in-state tuition for veterans, and credit for military training added to a school's score.
• Online availability: Schools needed a broad range of degrees that can be completed fully online.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

Popular Online Degrees for Veterans

Many veterans choose degrees that build on the skills they developed in uniform. Cybersecurity and IT are especially popular, since technical training and security clearances can give you a head start. Business administration, project management, and logistics programs also translate well from military leadership and operations roles.

Other common paths include criminal justice, emergency management, and healthcare administration. If you're interested in tech, it's worth checking whether veterans qualify for free cybersecurity training before you enroll, since some programs can supplement or speed up your degree.

How Long Does It Take Veterans To Earn a Degree Online?

A bachelor's degree usually requires about 120 credits, or roughly four years of full-time study. The Post-9/11 GI Bill offers up to 36 months of benefits, which covers about four academic years if you attend full time. Studying part time stretches your timeline but also uses your benefits more slowly.

Credit for military training and exams like CLEP and DSST can shave months or even years off your degree. Some veterans enter with 30 or more credits from their JST. Schools that accept work experience for college credit can help you make the most of what you already know.

How Much Does an Online Degree Cost for Veterans?

Without benefits, an online bachelor's degree typically costs between about $30,000 and $60,000 in total. The Post-9/11 GI Bill can cover tuition and fees at public schools in full for eligible veterans, along with a monthly housing allowance and an annual stipend for books and supplies.

Private universities often cost more than the GI Bill's annual cap, but schools in the Yellow Ribbon Program can help cover the difference. Your final cost depends on your benefit eligibility percentage, whether you study full time, and how many credits you transfer in.

Education Benefits for Veterans

Veterans can draw on several federal and state programs to pay for school. Here are the main options to know about:

• Post-9/11 GI Bill: This benefit covers tuition, housing, and books for eligible veterans based on their length of service. Many online colleges that accept the GI Bill have staff who can help you certify your enrollment.
• Yellow Ribbon Program: Participating private schools and the VA split tuition costs that go beyond the GI Bill's cap. Availability and funding can vary by school, so ask early.
• Montgomery GI Bill and other VA programs: Additional benefits may apply depending on when and how you served. Exploring online colleges that accept VA benefits can help you compare your options.
• Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E): This VA program helps veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for and find suitable careers. It can pay for education and training as part of an approved plan.
• State benefits: Some states offer their own tuition waivers or grants for veterans, such as the Texas Hazlewood Act. Check with your state's veterans affairs office to see what's available.
• Scholarships and federal aid: Many organizations offer awards for veterans, including cybersecurity scholarships for veterans. Filing the FAFSA can also qualify you for Pell Grants on top of your VA benefits.

How To Choose the Right Online College for Veterans

Not every school supports veterans the same way, so it pays to compare your options carefully. These factors can help you find the right fit.

Veteran Services and Support

Look for a dedicated veterans' office with certifying officials who process benefits quickly and answer questions clearly. Resource centers, peer mentoring, and student veterans organizations can also make a big difference in your experience.

Credit for Military Training

Ask each school how it evaluates your JST and how many credits it typically awards for your specialty. The more credit you transfer, the more benefit months you can save for graduate school or other training. Learning how to use military benefits for college can help you plan your path.

Career Transition Resources

Strong career services can help you turn your degree into a civilian job. Look for schools that offer resume help, employer connections, and guidance on translating military experience for hiring managers.

Total Cost After Benefits

Compare how far your GI Bill will go at each school, especially if you're weighing public and private options. Yellow Ribbon participation, in-state tuition policies, and transfer credit can all change your final cost.

Career Outlook for Information Security Analysts

Cybersecurity is a natural fit for many veterans, especially those with technical training or experience protecting sensitive information. Information security analysts earn a median annual wage of $129,180, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Employment in this field is projected to grow 21% through 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. BLS expects about 14,100 openings each year, and most roles call for a bachelor's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or a related field.

FAQs About the Best Online Colleges for Veterans

Using VA benefits for an online degree comes with its own set of rules and opportunities. These answers cover a few questions veterans often ask.

Do Online Students Receive the GI Bill Housing Allowance?

Yes, but the amount is different. If you take all of your classes online, the Post-9/11 GI Bill pays a housing allowance equal to half the national average rate. Taking at least one in-person class can qualify you for the full rate based on your school's ZIP code.

Can Veterans Get In-State Tuition at Out-of-State Public Universities?

In most cases, yes. Federal law requires public colleges to charge in-state tuition to eligible veterans and family members using Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill benefits, even if they don't live in the state. This rule can make public universities an especially affordable choice for online learners.

Can You Transfer Your GI Bill Benefits to Family Members?

Service members who meet certain requirements can transfer unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to a spouse or children. You generally must request the transfer while you're still serving and agree to additional service. Once you've separated, you usually can't start a new transfer.

Can Veterans Go to College for Free?

Many veterans pay little or nothing for their degrees. The Post-9/11 GI Bill can fully cover in-state tuition at public schools for eligible veterans, and Yellow Ribbon schools can close the gap at private institutions. State programs and scholarships can help cover any remaining costs.

Do Veterans Need SAT or ACT Scores To Apply?

Usually not. Most online programs and adult degree completion programs don't require SAT or ACT scores, especially for applicants with work experience or transfer credit. Some schools waive testing for all veterans, so ask the admissions office about its policy.

Find Online Colleges for Veterans

The right online college can help you turn your military experience and benefits into a degree that moves your career forward. Browse programs through Learn.org and connect directly with schools to get personalized information about veteran services, transfer credit, and admissions.