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The Best GI Bill® Schools

You Earned It, Use It Wisely – 6 of the Best GI Bill Schools

You earned it and you deserve it. Utilize your GI Bill at a great school for a quality education. Here are 6 of the Best GI Bill Schools.

Distinguishing the Best GI Bill Schools

Degree mills have been a pervasive problem since the GI Bill was introduced post-WWII. Problems with these pay-to-play degree mills include inadequate training and substandard education. This degree dilemma is through no fault of the student as these institutions often operate under the guise of legitimacy. Yet it leaves students with what amounts to a worthless degree (that ironically cost tens of thousands).

Education is a billion dollar industry, so is education fraud. Degree mills waste billions of dollars of educational funds including GI Bills. You earned it, use it well. Below is a selection of 6 of the Best GI Bill Schools.

University of Florida

Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs: 

UF has been offering online degrees since 2001 and boasts a 60% graduation rate for its undergraduate degree seeking programs. UF is consistently ranked as one of the best public universities and ranks high on “Best of” lists including:

  • #3 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs (US News)
  • #2 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (US News)
  • #1 in Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs(US News)
  • #2 in Best Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs(US News)

Along with being a GI Bill approved school, UF participates in the Yellow Ribbon program and is approved for Tuition Assistance.

 

Pennsylvania State University World Campus

Best Online Master’s Degree Programs

Pennsylvania State University World Campus offers over 120 Master’s degrees and graduate certificates. Penn State World consistently ranks high in national “Best of” lists including:

  • #1 in Best Online Master’s in Engineering Programs for Veterans (US News)
  • #3 in Best Online Master’s in Industrial Engineering Programs (US News)
  • #3 in Best Online Master’s in Education Programs for Veterans (US News)
  • #5 in Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans (US News)
  • #5 in Best Online Master’s in Computer Information Technology Programs for Veterans (US News)

Along with being a GI Bill approved school, Penn State World Campus participates in the Yellow Ribbon program and is approved for Tuition Assistance.

 

University of California Los Angeles

Best College for Full-Time Undergraduate Students

The University of California Los Angeles is part of the 10-campus University of California system. UCLA is unique in that it does not offer part-time enrollment or evening coursework for undergraduate degree programs. Students must enroll full time and attend daytime classes. The result is a high-quality degree earned from one of the country’s most prestigious universities in a minimal amount of time. UCLA has an amazing 70% graduation rate. UCLA consistently ranks high in national “Best of” lists including:

#20 in National Universities (US News)

#5 in Best Colleges for Veterans (US News)

#30 in Most Innovative Schools (US News)

#13 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (US News)

#1 in Top Public Schools (US News)

#19 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (US News)

Along with being a GI Bill approved school, UCLA participates in the Yellow Ribbon program and is approved for Tuition Assistance.

 

Spelman College

Best Historically Black College and University

Consistently ranked high both as an HBCU and Women’s College, Spelman has a fantastic 70% graduation rate. Spelman receives many accolades including:

#1 HBCU (by Niche and US News)

#10 Best Women’s College (Niche)

#54 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (US News)

#19 in Best Undergraduate Teaching (US News)

#10 in Most Innovative Schools (US News)

#4 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (US News)

Along with being a GI Bill approved school, Spellman College is also approved for Tuition Assistance.

 

Pomona College

Best Liberal Arts College West Coast

Pomona College has an amazing 90% graduation rate and an average class size of 15 students. Pomona College is strictly undergraduate yet is part of the “Claremont Colleges” consortium and does offer some combined opportunities for graduate studies. You will find that Pomona College consistently ranks high in national “Best of” lists including:

#1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America (Niche)

#1 Best Small Colleges in America (Niche)

#1 Most Diverse Colleges in America (Niche)

#4 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (US News)

#7 in Best Undergraduate Teaching (US News)

#2 in Best Value Schools (US News)

#29 in Most Innovative Schools (US News)

Along with being a GI Bill approved school, Pomona College participates in the Yellow Ribbon program and is approved for Tuition Assistance.

 

Bowdoin College

Best Liberal Arts College East Coast

Test optional for a half-century and always centered on student collaboration, Bowdoin has a staggering 90% graduation rate. Bowdoin College consistently ranks high in national “Best of” lists including:

#2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America (Niche)

#3 Best Small Colleges in America (Niche)

#7 Best Colleges for Global Studies (Niche)

#11 in Best Undergraduate Teaching (US News)

#12 in Best Value Schools (US News)

Along with being a GI Bill approved school, Bowdoin College participates in the Yellow Ribbon program and is approved for Tuition Assistance.

Features of the Best GI Bill Schools

The following features are common practices among 6 of the Best GI Bill Schools:

Accreditation

Regional accreditation is the most desirable option.  The Best GI Bill Schools will be regionally accredited.

Additional Tuition Assistance

The Best GI Bill Schools will take part in additional tuition assistance for active duty military, such as the Yellow Ribbon Program or Tuition Assistance, which can help pay for school costs not covered by the GI Bill.  Scholarships for veterans are another feature.

Graduation Rates

Minimal graduation rates are around 50%. In some cases, 30% is considered acceptable.  Lower than that would require additional research as to why the school scores so low.

Job Placement

The Best GI Bill Schools will have an excellent network to help students succeed in their chosen career after earning their degree. Effective job placement can be found in programs such as internships, apprenticeships, strong alumni connections, etc.

Adherence to the Principles of Excellence

Strictly adheres to the Principles of Excellence, which includes not participating in fraudulent methods of recruiting.  In addition, the institution may provide students with an educational plan outlining how and when students can fulfill graduation requirements.

Program Availability

Schools will have availability for your degree programs. This will allow you to effectively manage military service, work and family commitments along with your new education.

 

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About the author

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Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.