Military Times Recognizes Syracuse University as No. 1 Private Institution on 2020 Best for Vets List
With its deep-rooted history in serving veterans and military families and an enduring commitment to their needs, Syracuse University is once again being recognized by Military Times in its annual publication of Best for Vets 2020 rankings. According to the rankings, Syracuse University is noted as No. 1 for private institutions and No. 5 among all colleges and universities.
“Syracuse University is honored by this recognition as we continue to build on our longstanding commitment to veterans and military-connected students,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “Our student-veterans enrich our campus community in so many ways. In appreciation of their service to our country, it is our obligation to help ensure their educational success in their post-military lives.”
The Best for Vets: Colleges 2020 rankings are an editorially independent news project that evaluates the many factors that help make colleges and universities a good fit for service members, veterans and their families. Military Times surveyed hundreds of colleges and universities from across the country on their policies related to military and veteran students, academic outcomes, military-supportive cultures and other factors. Institutions were evaluated in five categories: university culture, student support, academic policies, academic outcomes/quality, and cost and financial aid. Military Times also considers data from the departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense and Education.
“Syracuse University is steadfast in its dedication to making this the nation’s ‘best place’ for military-connected students, veterans and their families,” says J. Michael Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation. “This ranking represents the best of our combined efforts—faculty, staff, students and alumni—to engage and welcome our nation’s veterans.”
Syracuse University has a proud history of supporting veterans and military-connected students. Chancellor William Tolley helped write the G.I. Bill and was a major contributing factor in helping veterans attend higher education institutions following World War II, welcoming thousands of new students to Syracuse.
The University’s commitment to veterans is reflected in a key theme of the Academic Strategic Plan: to distinguish Syracuse as the premier university for veterans, military-connected students and families. Under Chancellor Syverud’s leadership and his promise to make Syracuse University the “best place for veterans,” the University has launched several initiatives and expanded its resources to enhance the military-connected student experience, including establishment of the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, expanded capabilities of the Office of Veteran Success and unlimited participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program allowing Post-9/11 GI Bill students to receive additional funding to cover required tuition and fees. The University also redesigned its admissions, registration, transfer of credit, orientation and housing processes to match the needs of people coming out of military service.
Expanding the University’s efforts to engage veterans even further, the under-construction National Veterans Resource Center (NVRC) is a first-of-its-kind multi-use facility dedicated to advancing academic research, programming and community-connected innovation serving the social, economic and wellness concerns of the nation’s veterans and families. The NVRC is scheduled to open next year.
The University is also home to several ground-breaking veteran and military-connected initiatives, including the nationally recognized Institute for Veterans and Military Families, the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans, the Defense Comptrollership Program, the Military Visual Journalism Program, and the V-WISE entrepreneurship program for women veterans, as well as other programs that serve the unique needs of military-connected students.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York state, with a global footprint and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience, as well as innovative online learning environments. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths. At Syracuse University, we offer a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges and 18 online degree programs. We have more than 15,000 undergraduates and 7,500 graduate students, more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, visit syracuse.edu.
