Best Colleges for Veterans in 2024

Veterans and active-duty service members seeking higher education can benefit from a range of support systems provided by universities across the United States. The following are the top-ranked colleges for veterans in 2024, highlighting the features and benefits offered by each institution.

1. Cornell University – Ithaca, NY

Rankings:

• #1 in Best Colleges for Veterans (tie)
• #12 in National Universities (tie)

Cornell University, a prestigious private institution, comprises 14 colleges and schools, each of which admits its own students. The university offers over 1,000 student organizations, providing a diverse range of activities for its community.

Tuition and Fees: $66,014
Undergraduate Enrollment: 15,735 (Fall 2022)

2. University of Chicago – Chicago, IL

Rankings:

• #1 in Best Colleges for Veterans (tie)
• #12 in National Universities (tie)

Located in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, the University of Chicago is known for its rigorous academic environment and rich campus life. The university hosts the famous Scavenger Hunt, the largest of its kind, since 1987.

Tuition and Fees: $65,619
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,470 (Fall 2022)

3. University of California, Berkeley – Berkeley, CA

Rankings:

• #3 in Best Colleges for Veterans (tie)
• #15 in National Universities (tie)

UC Berkeley, situated overlooking the San Francisco Bay, offers more than 1,000 student groups, including over 60 fraternity and sorority chapters, providing a vibrant campus life.

Tuition and Fees: $48,465 (out-of-state), $15,891 (in-state)
Undergraduate Enrollment: 32,831 (Fall 2022)

4. University of California, Los Angeles – Los Angeles, CA

Rankings:

• #3 in Best Colleges for Veterans (tie)
• #15 in National Universities (tie)

UCLA, located just five miles from the Pacific Ocean, offers 5,000 courses, 140 bachelor’s degree programs, and 97 minors, creating a diverse academic environment.

Tuition and Fees: $46,326 (out-of-state), $13,752 (in-state)
Undergraduate Enrollment: 32,423 (Fall 2022)

5. Dartmouth College – Hanover, NH

Rankings:

• #5 in Best Colleges for Veterans
• #18 in National Universities (tie)

Dartmouth College uses a quarter system to structure its academic year and boasts more than 300 student organizations, including the Outing Club, which is the nation’s oldest and largest collegiate club of its kind.

Tuition and Fees: $65,511
Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,458 (Fall 2022)

6. Princeton University – Princeton, NJ

Rankings:

• #6 in Best Colleges for Veterans
• #1 in National Universities

Princeton University offers a unique “no loan” policy, replacing loans with grants to financially needy students, ensuring a robust financial aid system.

Tuition and Fees: $59,710
Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,604 (Fall 2022)

7. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor – Ann Arbor, MI

Rankings:

• #7 in Best Colleges for Veterans
• #21 in National Universities

The University of Michigan offers a vibrant campus life in Ann Arbor, which is known as one of the best college towns in the U.S. The university provides a wide range of student organizations and has a strong athletic tradition.

Tuition and Fees: $57,273 (out-of-state), $17,786 (in-state)
Undergraduate Enrollment: 32,695 (Fall 2022)

8. Stanford University – Stanford, CA

Rankings:

• #8 in Best Colleges for Veterans
• #3 in National Universities (tie)

Stanford University, located in California’s Bay Area, emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to teaching and research, offering numerous research opportunities to students.

Tuition and Fees: $62,484
Undergraduate Enrollment: 8,049 (Fall 2022)

9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Chapel Hill, NC

Rankings:

• #9 in Best Colleges for Veterans
• #22 in National Universities (tie)

UNC Chapel Hill provides a diverse range of student activities, including popular organizations like The Daily Tarheel and WXYC, the student-run radio station. The university is also well-known for its athletic programs, particularly men’s basketball.

Tuition and Fees: $39,338 (out-of-state), $8,998 (in-state)
Undergraduate Enrollment: 20,210 (Fall 2022)

10. University of Virginia – Charlottesville, VA

Rankings:

• #10 in Best Colleges for Veterans
• #24 in National Universities (tie)

Founded by Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia is notable for its strong Greek life and athletic programs. The university offers a rich historical and academic environment.

Tuition and Fees: $58,950 (out-of-state), $22,323 (in-state)
Undergraduate Enrollment: 17,496 (Fall 2022)

11. Yale University – New Haven, CT

Rankings:

• #11 in Best Colleges for Veterans
• #5 in National Universities

Yale University, located in New Haven, offers a supportive residential college system that fosters a close-knit community within a major research institution.

Tuition and Fees: $64,700
Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,645 (Fall 2022)

12. University of California, Davis – Davis, CA

Rankings:

• #12 in Best Colleges for Veterans (tie)
• #28 in National Universities (tie)

UC Davis, originally established as a farm school for UC Berkeley, is now a comprehensive public university with strong research programs and a diverse range of student organizations.

Tuition and Fees: $46,043 (out-of-state), $15,266 (in-state)
Undergraduate Enrollment: 31,532 (Fall 2022)

13. University of California, San Diego – La Jolla, CA

Rankings:

• #12 in Best Colleges for Veterans (tie)
• #28 in National Universities (tie)

UC San Diego is known for its beautiful coastal location and strong programs in science and engineering. The university offers a range of student organizations and a vibrant Greek life.

Tuition and Fees: $48,630 (out-of-state), $16,056 (in-state)
Undergraduate Enrollment: 33,096 (Fall 2022)

14. University of Florida – Gainesville, FL

Rankings:

• #12 in Best Colleges for Veterans (tie)
• #28 in National Universities (tie)

The University of Florida is a large public institution with a strong athletics program, particularly in football. The university is also known for its extensive student life offerings, including over 60 fraternities and sororities.

Tuition and Fees: $28,658 (out-of-state), $6,381 (in-state)
Undergraduate Enrollment: 34,552 (Fall 2022)

15. University of Southern California – Los Angeles, CA

Rankings:

• #12 in Best Colleges for Veterans (tie)
• #28 in National Universities (tie)

USC offers a wide range of academic programs and a strong athletic tradition, particularly in football. The university is located in the heart of Los Angeles, providing students with numerous cultural and career opportunities.

Tuition and Fees: $68,237
Undergraduate Enrollment: 20,699 (Fall 2022)

16. University of Texas at Austin – Austin, TX

Rankings:

• #16 in Best Colleges for Veterans
• #32 in National Universities

The University of Texas at Austin is known for its large student body and diverse academic programs, including top-ranked graduate schools. The university also offers a vibrant campus life with numerous student organizations and a strong athletics program.

Tuition and Fees: $41,070 (out-of-state), $11,698 (in-state)
Undergraduate Enrollment: 41,309 (Fall 2022)

17. Georgia Institute of Technology – Atlanta, GA

Rankings:

• #17 in Best Colleges for Veterans (tie)
• #33 in National Universities (tie)

Georgia Tech, located in Atlanta, is known for its strong engineering programs and vibrant student life. The university offers a range of student activities and a strong Greek life community.

Tuition and Fees: $32,876 (out-of-state), $11,764 (in-state)
Undergraduate Enrollment: 18,415 (Fall 2022)

18. University of California, Irvine – Irvine, CA

Rankings:

• #17 in Best Colleges for Veterans (tie)
• #33 in National Universities (tie)

UC Irvine is a research institution known for its strong programs in the sciences and engineering. The university offers a range of student organizations and a strong Greek life presence.

Tuition and Fees: $47,759 (out-of-state), $15,185 (in-state)
Undergraduate Enrollment: 28,661 (Fall 2022)

19. University of California, Santa Barbara – Santa Barbara, CA

Rankings:

• #19 in Best Colleges for Veterans (tie)
• #35 in National Universities (tie)

UC Santa Barbara is known for its beautiful coastal location and strong academic programs. The university offers a range of student organizations and a vibrant campus life.

Tuition and Fees: $45,658 (out-of-state), $14,881 (in-state)
Undergraduate Enrollment: 23,460 (Fall 2022)

20. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – Champaign, IL

Rankings:

• #19 in Best Colleges for Veterans (tie)
• #35 in National Universities (tie)

Located in east-central Illinois, the University of Illinois offers a wide range of academic programs and a strong Greek life presence. The university is known for its vibrant campus life and extensive student organizations.

Tuition and Fees: $36,068 (out-of-state), $17,572 (in-state)
Undergraduate Enrollment: 35,120 (Fall 2022)

This comprehensive list highlights the top institutions for veterans and active-duty service members, providing valuable information on tuition, student life, and academic offerings. These universities not only offer strong support systems for veterans but also provide an enriching environment for all students.

Source: USNEWS