For the second straight year, Angelo State University has been named one of the nation’s 140 Best Colleges for Veterans by the Military Times organization in its “Best for Vets: Colleges 2015” rankings. ASU is ranked No. 31 out of 100 four-year institutions on the list and is one of nine Texas schools to earn the “Best for Vets” designation. The Military Times comprises the Air Force Times, Army Times, Marine Corps Times and Navy Times newspapers, their corresponding websites and the Military Times EDGE magazine. Its “Best for Vets” rankings are based on comprehensive school-by-school survey analysis of college and university offerings for veteran and military students and their families.

“We factor in what is, to our knowledge, the most detailed school-by-school data on veteran students’ academic success anywhere, including graduation, retention, persistence and course completion rates,” said Amanda Miller, editor of Bets for Vets. “Two years ago, only 11 percent of the hundreds of schools surveyed could provide that level of detail. This year, that figure is up to 45 percent. By recognizing only the schools that do the most, we believe we’re helping to raise the bar in veteran student services.”

The rankings also factor in service member enrollment, percentage of tuition covered by the G.I. Bill and availability of specific programs for military and veteran students.

ASU President Brian J. May said, “The ‘Best for Vets’ designation not only recognizes the hard work of our faculty and staff to provide quality programs for our veterans, but also takes into account other aspects that speak to the overall excellence of Angelo State. We understand the distinctive challenges facing military and veteran students as they transition to college life, and we are proud to honor their service by providing both the services they need and a great ASU education.”

ASU’s Veterans Educational and Transitional Services (VETS) Center was opened in the Houston Harte University Center in 2012. The VETS Center provides enrollment and academic support for military and veteran students, as well as special programs, networking opportunities, social and study areas, and a computer lab. More information on ASU’s veteran and military programs is available online at www.angelo.edu/dept/military/.

The “Best for Vets” rankings are published in the November issue of Military Times EDGE and online at MilitaryTimes.com, AirForceTimes.com, ArmyTimes.com, MarineCorpsTimes.com and NavyTimes.com. More information and the entire can list are available online at www.militarytimes.com/bestforvets-colleges2015.

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