10 Online Nursing Schools That Accept VA Benefits 2026

Earning a nursing degree online can be a smart move if you're a veteran, active-duty service member, or military spouse looking to balance school with a demanding schedule. Combined with VA education benefits, it can also make that degree significantly more affordable, especially at schools that go beyond the minimum and offer real support built around military life.

There are several online colleges that accept VA benefits, and nursing is one of the more popular fields among military-connected students. Below, you'll find online nursing schools that accept VA benefits and stand out for their military support, from Yellow Ribbon Program participation to programs built specifically around prior medical training in the service.

Do Online Nursing Schools Accept VA Benefits?

Most accredited nonprofit online nursing schools accept VA education benefits for online programs, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill. That's a fairly low bar, though, since it's true of the vast majority of accredited colleges and universities in the country. It's also worth knowing that fully online enrollment typically comes with a reduced monthly housing allowance compared to programs with at least one in-person course, and that not every degree level or program track at a school is automatically VA-approved, so confirming your specific nursing program matters before you enroll.

Where schools actually start to differ is in how much additional support they offer on top of basic eligibility. Look for:

• Yellow Ribbon Program participation, which helps cover tuition costs beyond standard GI Bill limits
• In-state tuition rates for veterans, regardless of home state
• Dedicated military and veteran resource offices
• Credit for military training or medical experience
• Military-specific nursing pathways, built around prior service medical experience, at a handful of standout schools

10 Online Nursing Schools That Accept VA Benefits 

Here's a closer look at 10 schools that not only accept VA education benefits for their online nursing programs, but also offer meaningful support built around military life. 

1. Arizona State University

Tempe, Arizona is home to Arizona State University (ASU), whose Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation offers one of the more expansive online and hybrid nursing catalogs in the country. ASU holds institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and its nursing programs, which include RN-to-BSN, an RN-to-MSN bridge, MSN, and a hybrid DNP, are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Military-connected students get their own dedicated hub here: the Pat Tillman Veterans Center, which handles everything from academic advising to VA benefit guidance and transition support. ASU also participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program and may award transfer credit for military training, which can shave time off a degree for students with relevant service experience.

2. Ohio State University

The Ohio State University's College of Nursing, based in Columbus, offers online programs ranging from RN-to-BSN completion through doctoral study. Institutionally accredited by the HLC, Ohio State's nursing programs carry CCNE accreditation as well.

Few schools on this list match Ohio State's depth of military support: it's a Yellow Ribbon Program participant with maximum funding access for all eligible students, charges the same tuition to online students regardless of home state, and runs a dedicated Military and Veterans Services office reachable by phone or email for benefit certification each semester. Ohio also has its own state-level GI Promise, which extends in-state tuition eligibility to military members and their immediate families after one year of service. 

3. Ohio University 

In Athens, Ohio, Ohio University offers online nursing pathways spanning RN-to-BSN, MSN, BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, and post-master's certificates through its College of Health Sciences and Professions. The university carries institutional accreditation from the HLC, with CCNE accreditation for its nursing programs.

As a Yellow Ribbon institution, Ohio University covers tuition costs above the standard Post-9/11 GI Bill cap for veterans at the 100% benefit level. Before any Yellow Ribbon funds are released, students need to be certified for Chapter 33 benefits through the university's Veterans and Military Student Services Center, which handles that certification process directly.

4. Rutgers University

Rutgers University's School of Nursing, based in New Brunswick, New Jersey, offers a full spread of online options: RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP, and post-master's certificates. The university is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), with its nursing programs holding CCNE accreditation.

Rutgers' Office of Veteran and Military Programs and Services works directly with students on VA education benefits and may award academic credit for military training or experience, a detail that can meaningfully shorten a degree timeline for prior service members. The university is frequently recognized among New Jersey's most military-friendly schools, thanks in large part to that dedicated support infrastructure. 

5. Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi 

Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) offers online MSN programs through its College of Nursing and Health Sciences, along with a standout option built specifically for service members. The university holds institutional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and its nursing programs are CCNE-accredited.

What sets TAMU-CC apart is its eLine Military Program, a fully online pathway to a BSN designed for military personnel that awards academic credit for medical training and experience gained during service. Combined with its Yellow Ribbon status, TAMU-CC has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top online MSN programs in the country specifically for veterans.

6. University of Alabama

Based in Tuscaloosa, the University of Alabama's Capstone College of Nursing offers online RN-to-BSN, RN-to-MSN, MSN, DNP, and post-master's certificate programs. The university carries SACSCOC institutional accreditation, and its nursing programs are accredited by CCNE.

Veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill typically pay no out-of-pocket tuition here, since the university's Yellow Ribbon Program offers unlimited funding to eligible graduate and undergraduate students alike. Roughly 180 students used Yellow Ribbon benefits at Alabama in a recent reporting year, giving a sense of just how established this support is on campus. 

7. University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida (UCF), located in Orlando, has offered a fully online RN-to-BSN program through its College of Nursing since 1998, making it one of the earlier adopters of the format in the state. UCF holds SACSCOC institutional accreditation, and its nursing programs carry CCNE accreditation.

UCF's Yellow Ribbon Program participation has helped it build a strong reputation among online graduate nursing programs for veterans nationally. The university also maintains a dedicated veteran and military point of contact and an active student veterans group, giving military-connected students a built-in community alongside the financial support.

8. University of Florida

The University of Florida (UF), based in Gainesville, delivers its College of Nursing's RN-to-BSN program through the same UF Online platform that's earned the university national recognition for online education. UF is institutionally accredited by SACSCOC, and its nursing program carries CCNE accreditation.

This is where UF really distinguishes itself: UF Online is well known for being especially military-friendly thanks to its Yellow Ribbon participation, strong retention rates, and faculty credentials. For a veteran weighing options, that combination of top-tier online academics and dedicated military recognition is hard to match.

9. University of Oklahoma

Founded in 1911, the University of Oklahoma's Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing is the state's largest nursing program, offering distance education across bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels through its Health Sciences Center. The university holds institutional accreditation, and its nursing programs are CCNE-accredited.

As a Yellow Ribbon school, Oklahoma allows eligible veterans to have up to 100% of tuition covered with no out-of-pocket cost. The university also awards credit for military training, CLEP exams, and DSST exams, which gives service members multiple ways to bring in outside credit toward their nursing degree.

10. University of South Carolina 

The University of South Carolina's College of Nursing, in Columbia, was the state's first nationally accredited baccalaureate nursing program and now offers online options at the master's, graduate certificate, and doctoral levels. The university is regionally accredited, and its nursing programs carry CCNE accreditation.

South Carolina participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program on a first-come, first-served basis, and veterans pay in-state tuition regardless of home state. Its DNP program also carries a strong national reputation, giving military students access to a well-regarded doctoral option alongside the financial support.

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.

Because this list is specifically about online nursing schools for military-connected students, we weighted a few additional factors on top of the standard institutional data: 

• Yellow Ribbon Program participation: Every school on this list participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, helping cover tuition costs that exceed standard Post-9/11 GI Bill limits.
• Accreditation: All schools are institutionally accredited, and every nursing program included is accredited by CCNE.
• Program breadth: We prioritized schools offering a range of online nursing programs, from RN-to-BSN completion through graduate and doctoral study, so the list serves students at different career stages.
• Dedicated military support: We looked for schools with veteran resource offices, credit for military training or experience, and, where available, nursing pathways built specifically around military medical backgrounds.

Learn more about our ranking methodology. 

How VA Benefits Work for Online Nursing Students 

VA education benefits can cover a substantial portion of an online nursing degree, but how much depends on which benefit you're using and how you're enrolled. The Post-9/11 GI Bill, the most commonly used benefit, can cover up to 100% of tuition and fees at a public in-state school, plus a monthly housing allowance and a book stipend, for up to 36 months. The Montgomery GI Bill works differently, providing a fixed monthly payment that students put toward tuition and living expenses themselves.

One detail catches a lot of students off guard: fully online programs typically qualify for a reduced housing allowance compared to programs with at least one in-person component, since the VA calculates that benefit based partly on enrollment format. Some students weigh this when choosing between a fully online RN-to-BSN and a hybrid ABSN that includes in-person clinicals or labs. It's also worth remembering that VA approval applies at the program level, not just the school level, so it's worth confirming that your specific nursing degree, not just the university as a whole, is VA-approved before you enroll.

Learn more about how to use military benefits for college in the U.S.

Tips for Military Students Choosing an Online Nursing Program 

Beyond confirming that a school accepts VA benefits, a few extra steps can help you choose a program that actually supports your situation as a military-connected student:

• Confirm program-level VA approval. A school being VA-approved doesn't guarantee every individual program is, so check directly with the school's veteran services office about your specific nursing degree.
• Ask about clinical placement support. Military students relocate more often than most, and a program that helps arrange clinical placements near your current duty station or home can save a lot of logistical headaches.
• Look for credit for military medical training. If you've worked as a medic, corpsman, or in another medical role during service, ask whether a school evaluates that experience for academic credit, since it can meaningfully shorten your timeline.
• Check Yellow Ribbon Program details closely. Participation alone doesn't guarantee full coverage; funding caps and the number of available seats can vary by program and by year, so confirm current details rather than relying on general reputation.
• Reach out to a school's veteran services office directly. They can walk you through certification requirements, help you understand your specific benefit eligibility, and flag anything program-specific you should know before enrolling.

FAQs Online Nursing Schools That Accept VA Benefits

Using VA education benefits for an online nursing degree comes with its own set of questions. Here are answers to some of the most common ones.

Can I Use GI Bill Benefits for a Fully Online Nursing Degree?

You can use your GI Bill benefits for a fully online nursing degree as long as both the school and your specific nursing program are VA-approved. Most accredited nonprofit nursing schools accept GI Bill benefits for online RN-to-BSN, MSN, and DNP programs, though it's worth confirming approval at the program level rather than assuming school-wide accreditation covers every degree track.

Do Online Students Get the Full GI Bill Housing Allowance?

Students enrolled entirely online typically receive a reduced monthly housing allowance compared to students taking at least one in-person course, since the VA bases part of that calculation on enrollment format. Some military students choose a hybrid program with in-person clinicals or labs partly for this reason, alongside the added value of hands-on training.

What Is the Yellow Ribbon Program?

The Yellow Ribbon Program is a partnership between participating schools and the VA that helps cover education costs exceeding standard Post-9/11 GI Bill limits. Participating schools agree to contribute a set amount toward tuition and fees, which the VA then matches, though funding caps and available seats can vary by school and by year.

Can Military Medical Training Count Toward Nursing School Credit?

Some schools allow you to use military training as college credit. Programs like Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi's eLine Military Program are built specifically to award academic credit for medical training and experience gained during military service, which can shorten the path to a BSN for students with a relevant background, such as combat medics or hospital corpsmen. Policies vary widely by school, so it's worth asking directly during the application process.

Do VA Benefits Cover Graduate Nursing Programs Like MSN or DNP?

Eligible students can typically use GI Bill benefits for online MSN and DNP programs at VA-approved schools. Many of the schools on this list, including Ohio State, Rutgers, and the University of South Carolina, offer graduate-level online nursing programs that accept VA education benefits alongside their undergraduate options.

Can Spouses and Dependents Use Transferred GI Bill Benefits for Nursing School?

In many cases, yes, if the service member has transferred their benefits and the dependent meets eligibility requirements. Eligibility depends on the service member's years of service and approved transfer status, so it's worth speaking with a school's veteran services office to understand exactly how transferred benefits apply to a specific nursing program.

Find Online Nursing Programs

VA education benefits can make a real difference in the cost of an online nursing degree. Check out the resources on Learn.org to find out more about nursing programs and using your military or veteran benefits.