If you’ve spent time in service to your country, wouldn’t it be great if some of that experience could translate into part of a college degree? A degree can help you get a better job in the civilian world. In addition, it can even advance you if you choose to stay in the military. Leveraging your experience at a college that accepts military credits towards your degree can make it quicker, cheaper, and easier to get that diploma. You’ve put in the time, so your competence and training should help you advance your academic credentials. Keep reading to learn about the best colleges for military credit transfer.
Transferring Military Credits: How Does it Work?
In the military, you receive training that can be equivalent to college-level coursework. Some schools have established guidelines for what specific training you can receive credit for. However, in many cases, you may need to actively participate in the process of converting your military training into college credits.
While the process for getting these transcripts might need different forms and steps, most colleges that accept military credits have dedicated military specialists who can help you. They can answer your questions and guide you through the steps to get your transcripts.Once you identify one or more schools that might be good for your education, ask to speak to their military admissions or enrollment team, and you’ll get lots of help with how to go about this. Each school is different, so do your homework too. The fact is, you may be eligible for different financial assistance and transfer credits at each institution.
Many colleges that accept military credits might ask you to create a special portfolio to show how your military experience connects to your college degree. Usually, they offer a class just for this, and it also counts as credit towards your degree. In this class, you’ll learn how to figure out the skills and things you learned while you were in the military. You’ll write down descriptions of your work to see if you can skip some parts of your degree program. After that, the university will review your portfolio to decide how many credits you can get.
Lastly, if you earned a certification for a skill in the military, or maybe even in a civilian job, that may count toward a degree as well. Professional certificates show that you’re skilled and that you successfully completed specific training and exams. We’re here to help you find the best college for military credit transfer.
GetEducated's Picks
- Western Governors University Bachelor of Science in Business Administration / Business Management
- Thomas Edison State University Bachelor of Science in Business Administration / General Management
- Alvernia University Bachelor of Science in Management
9 Best Online Colleges That Accept Military Credits
Service members and veterans have a lot of real-life experience that can be valuable toward a college degree. Many colleges now give them credit for their military training. Let’s take a closer look at the best colleges for military credit transfer and offer a quality education for those who have served. Dive in to find the perfect fit for your academic goals.
Southern New Hampshire University
Degree(s): 10 associate degrees, 39 bachelor degrees with 114 concentrations
Accreditation: NECHE, ABET, ACBSP, CAHIIM, CCNE, CAEP
Tuition (In-state & Out-of-state): Bachelor’s—$243/credit; Master’s—$470/creditSouthern New Hampshire University has a liberal transfer policy, allowing up to 45 transfer credits for an associate degree and 90 credits towards a bachelor’s degree. Students must complete the last 30 credits at SNHU for a bachelor’s degree, 15 for an associate degree. Military applicants in the online programs have a dedicated admission advisor and there is a large selection of online degrees to choose from—everything from business or IT to History or Game Programming. Additional online offerings include criminal justice, creative writing, nursing, psychology, operations, and political science, among others.
With up to 30% tuition discounts and compliance with the ADA to make accommodations for disabled veterans, SNHU is an innovative and invested school for military students. Spouses are also eligible for discounts and assistance. A free credit evaluation is done by admissions and the university partners with many military-affiliated organizations. All types of Tuition Assistance are available for veterans, active duty, reserve, or family members. Finally, SNHU is a Yellow Ribbon school.
Thomas Edison State University
Degree(s): 13 associate degrees, 35 bachelor degrees
Accreditation: MSCHE, CCNE, ABET, CAAHEP, ACBSP
Tuition (In-state & Out-of-state): Bachelor’s—$243/credit; Master’s—$470/creditThomas Edison State University is a longstanding member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges and offers many types of support and advice for military students. In addition to their own military scholarship program, they provide a financial shopping comparison tool. With this support, students figure out which school will be best for their degree program. Classes can be completely online, and begin every month, for maximum flexibility. They offer certificate, undergrad, and graduate programs in many in-demand subjects. These include electronics, engineering, nursing, liberal arts, IT, criminal justice, and business, among others. Even more, tuition for active-duty military students is half the price of normal out-of-state tuition.
Its liberal transfer credit policies make this school very attractive. In fact, students can transfer up to 90 credits from a two-year institution, and up to 120 credits from a four-year institution. In other words, you may be able to complete your degree at TESU with as few as 12 credit hours for an associate degree or 24 for a bachelor’s. They’re committed to giving you the most credit for your military training. They even have a special Military Veteran Portal where you can see how your military experience can count toward your degree. In this way, prospective students can gauge potential credits for their military background. TESU, with its rich history in educating military students and veterans, expertly guides students. They assist in accessing top tuition assistance and the most efficient, cost-effective route to a degree, landing them on our list of the best colleges that accept military credits.
Ohio University
Degree(s): 6 associate degrees, 15 bachelor degrees
Accreditation: HLC, AACSB, COSMA
Tuition (In-state): Bachelor’s—$243/credit; Master’s—$505/creditFor students who wish to receive credit for experience, Ohio U has a special 3-credit course that must be taken. In this course, they’ll develop a portfolio to request credits for experience. What’s more, over 90% of requested credits are granted. Transfer credits can be awarded for training, education, and through taking exams like AP, CLEP and DANTES. There is a dedicated veteran and military student services center that can support, advocate for, and guide military students through the process of accessing educational benefits and transitioning back into civilian life.
The online programs have eight start dates per year, and the variety of programs is wide. Bachelor’s degree subjects include psychology, management, communications, RN-BSN, criminal justice, customer service leadership, and technical operations management. Graduate degrees in education have many options, including coaching, reading, instructional design, and early childhood. The business school offers accountancy and MBA programs, as well as two degrees in athletic management. The college offers arts & sciences subjects such as finance and teaching English as a foreign language. Social studies is another option. Furthermore, the College of Communication boasts two master’s programs. One is in organizational communications and the other is in information/telecommunications systems. Similarly, the College of Engineering provides 3 master’s degrees. Students can choose from civil, electrical, or management engineering. Lastly, nursing, public health, and health administration complete the list of graduate degree options.
Western Governors University
Degree(s): 6 associate degrees, 15 bachelor’s degrees
Accreditation: NWCCU, CAEP, AAQEP, CCNE, ACBSP, CAHIIM
Tuition (In-state): $2,250/year (US Coast Guard only) to $4,500/year (all other branches)Western Governors University allows students to move through courses at their own pace, going faster with material they already know from work experience, and taking more time with new material. This ability to prove what you already know by test or writing means that you can go faster or slower within classes, not just the program overall. You save time by filling in the gaps between what you already know. With programs beginning every month, there is a lot of flexibility in the program. An affordable non-profit institution, WGU is dedicated to high-quality adult education that is competency-based. They have a renowned teachers’ college, plus colleges of business, IT, and health professions.
WGU provides tuition assistance for military students, either at a flat rate or per competency unit. All their programs are approved by the VA, and they offer various types of military and veteran support. Once you’re admitted, they have a special Military Support department to help you. You might also be able to skip certain courses based on your military training, experience, or test results from CLEP or DANTES. Because the programs are competency-based, the credit transfer process may be more for competency than direct equivalency of courses, but WGU has trained admissions counselors to help you through the process. All in all, WGU might just be the best college for military credit transfer.
National University
Degree(s): 2 bachelor’s degrees
Accreditation: WSCUC, ACBSP, AAQEP, CSWE
Tuition (In-state): $370/creditWith certificate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs, National University, a for-profit, regionally accredited online university has many options for military students. All faculty have Doctoral degrees, and they offer special assistance for students who have completed coursework for a doctoral degree but need help finishing a dissertation. Their educational programs include business, health sciences, psychology, marriage & family therapy, technology, and education.
Tuition discounts for active-duty military are 20%, while some additional fees are waived for military students. Veterans and spouses get about 10% off tuition rates. Assistance is available from the Military Admissions department to access financial aid available, and this is a Yellow Ribbon program school. Military transfer credit is limited to the bachelor’s program, and credit can be awarded for training, military occupational specialties (MOS), and experience. With this in mind, all need approval through the dean of the program you enroll in. Undergraduate students can transfer up to 90 credits for previous study, exams, or experience, and must complete at least 30 credits at National University. Graduate students may transfer up to 12 credits of graduate coursework, subject to further restrictions.
Excelsior College
Degree(s): 7 associate degrees, 16 bachelor degrees
Accreditation: MSCHE, ACEN, ABET, IACBE
Tuition (In-state): $250/creditExcelsior College, a regionally accredited non-profit online institution, provides programs in fields like health sciences, nursing, and public service. They also cover business, liberal arts, and technology. They present associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees across all domains, ensuring flexibility for newcomers. Their online courses span 8 or 15-week durations, with open enrollment throughout the year.
There is a Center for Military and Veterans Education to assist in accessing education benefits and providing community for military/veteran students. There is a very liberal transfer credit policy, allowing you to transfer up to 117 credits towards a bachelor’s degree. With this in mind, credit can be awarded for prior learning, testing, and military experience. In essence, you may be able to finish your degree with just 2 courses. Experiential credits require students to take a (3-credit) course to create a portfolio, and students may receive further credit through assessment by the school.
Charter Oak State College
Degree(s): 3 associate degrees, 15 bachelor’s degrees
Accreditation: NECHE, CSCU, CAHIIM, CCNE
Tuition (In-state): $250/creditOnline programs at Charter Oak State College include bachelor’s degrees in business, cybersecurity, criminal justice, health care administration or information management, psychology, public safety administration, sociology, and general studies. There are associate degrees in general studies, early childhood education, and paraprofessional programs. There are master’s degrees offered in organizational leadership, health informatics, and healthcare administration. Courses are 5, 8, or 15 weeks long, offering lots of flexibility.
Military students pay reduced rates and have all fees waived. Military spouses also receive in-state tuition rates, no matter where they are located. Transcripts from the military can be evaluated for transfer credits. Transfer credit for coursework, professional or military certifications, tests, and experience can be applied to undergraduate and graduate programs with the completion of a portfolio. There is a liberal transfer policy at this college that accepts military credits. Charter Oak awards up to 87 course credits towards a bachelor’s degree and 9 credits towards a graduate degree. Students must take at least two 3-credit capstone courses through Charter Oak.
Regent University
Degree(s): 7 associate degrees, 33 bachelors degrees with 27 minors and 84 concentrations
Accreditation: SACSCOC, ABA, CCNE, CAEP, ACBSP
Tuition (In-state): $250/creditCould Regent University be the best college for military credit transfer and military friendliness? This regionally accredited university teaches from a Christian worldview and accepts students from all backgrounds. Their vast catalog includes certificates, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees. Examples of associate degrees include business, history, Christian studies, or psychology. Bachelor’s degree options include communication studies, English, government, history, leadership studies, and Christian ministry. In addition, their online programs provide one-on-one support through dedicated advisors and faculty. Not to mention, students can accelerate through their program thanks to 8-week-long courses.
Military personnel can choose from numerous financial aid opportunities. For example, they may qualify for reduced out-of-pocket expenses, scholarships, VA benefits, tuition assistance, and access to the Yellow Ribbon Program. When looking for schools that take military credits, consider Regent University. They have a generous military education to college credit transfer policy. For example, students may transfer 90 credit hours for a bachelor’s degree and 48 hours for an associate degree. Regent’s Military Resource Center welcomes military students. Through this hub, military-affiliated students can connect with career, community, and academic resources. In other words, they are prepared for success.
University of Cincinnati
Degree(s): 7 associate degrees, 33 bachelors degrees with 27 minors and 84 concentrations
Accreditation: HLC, ACSB, ABA, ABET, CCNE, CEPH
Tuition (In-state): Associate-$288-$516/credit, Bachelor’s $406-$573/creditLast on our list of colleges that take military credits is the University of Cincinnati. Inclusion, Innovation, and Impact are the core values of this public research university. Despite its large size, the university offers a personalized learning experience with a 19:1 teacher-to-student ratio. Its online accredited programs strive to offer the same quality education as their in-person counterparts. UC offers online degrees ranging from accounting, marketing, IT, law, communication, and organizational leadership, to list a few.
The Office of Veterans Programs & Services will work with military students to ensure they receive as much financial assistance as possible. Whether it’s tuition assistance, the GI Bill, or funding via the Yellow Ribbon Program, much support is within reach. In addition, financial awards like the Active Military & Veteran Scholarship are just for military-affiliated students. It’s possible to transfer credits by taking exams such as CLEP, DANTES, or AP. Military personnel interested in colleges that accept JST are invited to submit their military transcripts here. They may qualify for transfer credits to reduce their future program’s course load. Military-affiliated students have access to the Veterans Lounge, which has a location on each of UC’s three campuses.
More Ways to Earn Military Transfer Credits
Besides attending of the best colleges that accept military credits, there are other ways for service members and veterans to translate their military experience into academic credits. Let’s delve into the details of ACE & JST credits, explore the opportunities of gaining credits through testing, and provide insights on maximizing the academic value of your military service.
Earning Credits Through ACE
Another route to getting credit is through the American Council on Education (ACE), which evaluates transcripts for nontraditional training to help schools and students figure out equivalency. ACE has a contract with the Department of Defense to conduct academic reviews of military courses and occupations. With a military transcript through ACE, it may be easier to apply your military experience toward a degree, but transfer credits are at the discretion of the school you attend.
Even though ACE is often successful in transferring credits, there are some pitfalls. Universities won’t always accept the recommended credits. ACE might say that you can’t transfer as many credits from your military transcript as you thought you could. Why does this happen? First, the desired field of study may be different from your Military Occupation Code (MOC). Furthermore, some military training may be too similar to be considered separate experiences. This may reduce the number of transferable credits. The majority of ACE credits are for lower-level courses like electives or for associate degrees. This means that students pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s may have fewer credits transferred. Also, keep in mind that some universities that accept military credits may have unclear transfer policies. Each institution has its own way of interpreting ACE recommendations.
Joint Service Transcripts
Also known as JSTs, Joint Service Transcripts are complete documentation of a service member’s data during their military career. It has their personal information, college-level test scores such as CLEP, military occupation(s), and skills. Most importantly, it lists each completed military course with ACE credit recommendations. ACE uses JSTs to assess a service member’s experience for potential college credit. When credits are recommended, it signifies ACE’s endorsement. Consequently, schools are more inclined to award college credits for such experiences. Notably, over 2,300 schools recognize JST credits.
Most military branches including the US Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard use JSTs. In fact, each transcript will look similar except for each service’s seal located on the top. Members of the US Air Force will use separate transcripts. The Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) is this branch’s transcript issuing authority. CCAF is part of Air University (AU), which is the primary education hub for Air Force service members.
Active duty, reservists, and veterans are all eligible for a JST. You should request a JST when you have a school in mind. Visit the Request More Information website and register an account. This site has a full list of all colleges that accept JST. An excellent feature is that you can send the school an official transcript directly from the website. Simply make a request for an official JST using the “Transcripts” menu. The respective school will then review your transcript to determine which experiences will be awarded college credits.
Testing To Get Credit
Finally, there are many exams that you can take that can allow you to test out of certain requirements and receive credit. The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) provides tests in various subjects that many schools recognize. CLEP exams cover a wide range of topics like history, languages, business, English composition, science, math, and social science. Military students can take these exams for free. The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) funds these tests for the military, military spouses, and some civilian employees of the military. DANTES also covers the cost of DSST tests, which also assess prior learning. Additionally, many schools accept Advanced Placement (AP) exams.
Maximize Military Service for College Transfer Credits
In the end, colleges that accept military credits due so at their own discretion. There are ways to avoid frustration and to make your military service work best for you. Firstly, it’s imperative to review your military transcript and any ACE recommendations for courses. Next, make sure that your MOC matches the degree you want to pursue. This helps ACE recommend transfer credits.
Seek schools that accept military credits, are military friendly, and have strong veteran relationships. These are the colleges that often give the most credit for your military experience. Still, it’s important to talk with several schools to learn their credit transfer policy. Doing this will also show you how institutions interpret military transcripts. If you don’t agree with the number of credits they offer, don’t be afraid to appeal. Finally, don’t apply until you know how much your military training will translate to credits.
How to Choose the Best College For Military Credit Transfer
The best college for you may not be the same one as for the guy or gal sitting next to you in the mess hall. Perhaps you want the quickest route to a degree so you can qualify for a particular job. In this case, you should look for programs that give you the maximum transfer credit and where you already know much of the material. On the other hand, you might want to learn a new field in depth, in which case you want the best program for that profession, with a schedule and pace that allows you to get a great education.
To emphasize, most of the colleges that accept military credits are very flexible and allow you to change your schedule or take a leave of absence if you are deployed or have other needs. These schools work with veterans, active-duty, reserve, and family members to find the best assistance and the best way through their programs. Some allow you to speed up your learning when you have time, and slow it down when you’re busy. Because these programs are online, you can often work on courses while deployed overseas. Some schools also let you take certain courses face-to-face, with other classes taken online, turning your program into a hybrid learning environment.
Financing Your Education
Depending on your exact circumstance, you may qualify for 100% paid undergraduate degrees. There are many benefits for veterans, and many transfer to their spouses or children. Some schools offer hefty discounts for military students, while others have you pay full price, knowing that much of your education bill is being picked up by government programs.
If you’re getting financial help for education because of your military status, there’s some extra paperwork involved. You’ll need to make sure you stay enrolled to keep getting these benefits. The school will also have some paperwork to handle. But don’t worry, the colleges that accept military credits on our list are dedicated to making your education easy and effective. Many believe it’s society’s responsibility to help those who served in the military find good jobs in civilian life. The best colleges for military credit transfer want to support students with military experience, offering programs and partnerships to make sure you succeed.
Start Your Online Education Today
You have lots of choices when you are looking at colleges that accept military credits, but compare the different options carefully. Some will cost more, some less, some will offer the training you want, and still others will give you a lot of credit for your experience. With this in mind, think about how much time you have to study, and how quickly you want to get a degree. Finally, be realistic about the financial realities of college education. With the tuition assistance programs available to military and veteran students, you should be able to find the best college for military credit transfer and get a leg up on your education. It’s time to get a degree that will help you fulfill your dreams!