ASU online programs earn high ratings for veterans

Arizona State University ranked among the top schools in the nation for Best Online Programs for Veterans in U.S. News & World Report’s latest rankings released this week.

Six ASU programs made the top 20, including:

• No. 2 ranking for the school’s graduate criminal justice program

• No. 2 for the graduate business programs, excluding MBA

• No. 4 for the master's of business administration

• No. 7 for overall bachelor's programs

The director of ASU’s Pat Tillman Veterans Center pointed out that ASU earns high marks for supporting military members and veterans in all aspects of college life.

“A veteran or service member can enroll in strong academic programs with classes that interest them and prepare them for a career, but they also can tap into a vast support system that helps with needs such as military benefits or counseling,” said Steve Borden, a retired U.S. Navy captain who heads the center. “Whether you’re an online student or on campus, you can connect with the Pat Tillman Veterans Center and quickly get the expert help you need.”

ASU, home to more than 3,700 military members and veterans, boasts one of the strongest veterans-support systems in the nation with programs such as: accepting credits from military courses, in-state tuition for all honorably discharged veterans, veterans scholarships, priority registration and a dedicated academic engagement office for veterans to help them integrate into scholastic life.

ASU also ranked high in the following categories for degree programs that offer a range of benefits for veterans:

• 12th for graduate engineering programs

• 20th for graduate education programs

The U.S. News rankings are based on distance education that is affordable, accessible and reputable. Schools included in the veterans rankings first have to be ranked among the top 75 percent of their 2015 Best Online Programs rankings, released in January.