Concord earns 2026 ranking in 'Military Times' Best for Vets listing

PRESS RELEASE

ATHENS, W.Va.– For the third consecutive year, Concord University has been recognized on “Military Times” Best for Vets college ranking list.

The magazine released its 2026 Best for Vets: Colleges rankings this week, and this year’s list includes 370 institutions across all 50 states, marking the largest field in the program’s history and a substantial increase from 357 colleges and universities in 2025. The growth indicates that more educational institutions than ever are making support for military-connected students and their families a priority.

“Our military-connected community at Concord University remains steadfast in supporting our student population, reflecting our ongoing commitment to creating an environment where veterans and their families thrive. Being recognized by ‘Military Times’ as one of the most veteran-friendly campuses in the nation affirms the impact of this work and the dedication of our team,” CU Veteran Services Director George Williams said.

Since the whole campus works together to support military-affiliated students, he added that the achievement is an accomplishment that should inspire pride throughout the entire CU community.  

“At Concord, our support extends far beyond the classroom,” Williams said. “We provide comprehensive services, individualized guidance, and campus-wide advocacy to ensure that every military-connected student has the tools they need to succeed. The success of our veterans and their families will always be one of our highest priorities.” 

“Military Times” collects data from an extensive survey from colleges across the country. Institutions are evaluated on school culture, student support services, academic policies, costs and financial assistance, and military connected student success rates.

Key findings from the 2026 survey include: 

• Increased participation among public universities and community colleges, signaling broader institutional engagement. 

• Clearing hurdles for veterans and their families, whether that means waiving late fees when benefits payments are delayed, protecting students from being dropped while benefits are pending, and simplifying the benefits process with a single point of contact.

• Expanded career services built specifically for military-connected students, advanced planning for new military or veteran initiatives for the coming years.

The full 2026 Best for Vets: Colleges rankings are available at Bestforvets:Colleges.