Serving in the military and obtaining a high-quality education are not mutually exclusive, and online programs make it possible to do both.
Scholarship funding is plentiful, and many colleges offer current and former military students special services to help them plan their education, obtain a degree, and land a job in their field.
BestColleges' goal is to help you find a military-friendly online program that also has excellent academics, affordability, and student outcomes. Each college on this list is a Yellow Ribbon school, awards Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, and has a dedicated military support services point of contact.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges for Military Students
How We Measured Student Satisfaction: We partnered with College Pulse to bring you data from students themselves on the schools on our list. The data and reviews aren't part of our ranking methodology.
How We Highlight What Schools Do Best
We analyzed each school's program to identify qualities that set it apart from others on this list, prioritizing factors like affordability, program offerings, and support services provided to students. Based on these strengths, we assigned each school a superlative category.
Since many programs share similar offerings and outcomes, our goal is to simplify your college decision-making by highlighting the features most relevant to your needs.
We verified these schools' facts in November 2025.
5 Benefits of a Military-Friendly College
Academic Credit for Military Experience
If you're attending a military-friendly college, you may receive academic credit for your military training and occupational work.
The American Council on Education evaluates Joint Service Transcripts of service members and veterans of the Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard, enabling students to accelerate their path toward a degree. Air Force and Space Force personnel have their transcripts processed by the Community College of the Air Force.
Resources and Support Services for the Military
Many colleges and universities will help service members and veterans make a successful transition to higher education, assisting with orientation, financial aid (including the GI Bill ®), and degree planning. More than 1,600 institutions host a chapter of the Student Veterans of America to coordinate these activities.
Discounts for Military Personnel and Veterans
Beyond the tuition assistance provided by the GI Bill, military personnel and veterans can receive discounts in the form of application fee waivers, reduced or free tuition, and scholarship aid directly from your college.
Online Programs and Asynchronous Instruction
Based on their deployment status, current service members may not have the option of attending classes on campus, so military-friendly schools offer an array of online programs featuring asynchronous learning options to accommodate unpredictable schedules.
Career Planning and Job Seeking Services
Military-friendly colleges can help you connect your studies to career paths, successfully search for internships and employment opportunities, craft a resume and cover letter, and prepare for interviews.
How to Choose the Best Online Military-Friendly College for You
When determining the best fit for your needs, consider factors such as cost, student support programs, and academic degree requirements.
Cost
Because the GI Bill may not cover all of your tuition, it's important to consider the cost when choosing an online college. In general, public colleges and universities charge less than private institutions — public universities charged an average tuition of around $11,600 for in-state students in the 2024-25 academic year while private nonprofit universities charged $43,350. You may qualify for in-state tuition depending on where you choose to attend or if your college offers out-of-state tuition waivers.
Keep in mind that many online programs will charge you in-state tuition regardless of your home state. Others have a lower flat rate for all students.
Veteran and Military Services and Programs
Colleges dedicated to supporting military personnel and veterans will offer special services to help onboard students through orientation programs; assist them with financial aid counseling and scholarship support; provide academic and career planning advice; and create a welcoming community of peers as a support system.
Online Learning Format
Online learning can be ideal for active-duty service members or busy military students who have jobs and/or families. Online degrees often use asynchronous coursework, which lets you submit classwork and watch pre-recorded lectures on your own time.
Your college may also offer courses on base or at a nearby satellite campus. The availability of online courses depends on the school and your degree.
Program Availability
You'll naturally want to choose a college or university that offers an academic program in your intended field of study, but be sure to consult the course catalog to determine when and how often courses are offered and what additional components, such as an internship or thesis, are required.
These variables could affect your time to degree and, potentially, the cost of your education.
Financial Aid Opportunities for Military Students
Current military personnel and veterans have many options to help them finance their education. From federal programs such as the GI Bill to scholarships and grants from governmental and private organizations, you can find money to offset the cost of tuition, fees, books, and transportation.
Your spouse and dependent children can benefit as well.
GI Bill
Current military personnel and veterans can benefit from the GI Bill, which covers tuition, housing, books, and related expenses. Your dependent children may qualify as well.
Award amounts vary, though the GI Bill covers the full cost of in-state tuition and fees at public colleges and universities and up to $28,937 at private institutions.
Visit our comprehensive guide to the GI Bill to learn how you and your family can benefit the most from this program.
Yellow Ribbon Program
If you've served for at least 36 months or are a military veteran, you can qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program. This program supplements the GI Bill, covering unmet expenses at private colleges and universities, out-of-state institutions, foreign colleges, and graduate schools.
Your spouse and dependents may also benefit.
Colleges can accommodate a limited number of students in the Yellow Ribbon Program, and participation is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Military Tuition Assistance
Military personnel on active duty or reserves can qualify for tuition assistance through their respective branches. Funding covers tuition and fees up to $4,500 per year.
Each branch has its own application form and procedures, so be sure to consult your branch's specific requirements to determine if you're eligible.
Scholarships
Take time to explore the many scholarship opportunities available beyond federal programs. Several organizations offer scholarships earmarked for military personnel and veterans, with some reserved for disabled veterans.
You may also qualify for scholarships designated specifically for online students.
Grants
Grants are another form of scholarship assistance for military students. Awarded by colleges, organizations, states, or the federal government, grants can help defray the cost of your education.
You may qualify for a Pell Grant, for example, which provides up to $7,395 for the 2024-2025 school year. If you're not eligible, you might explore the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant to determine if you qualify based on your parents' service record.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Military-Friendly Colleges
Yes, the military will pay for online college through initiatives such as the GI Bill and the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not distinguish between online and on-campus education when determining financial aid eligibility.
