Eastern Kentucky University has been ranked 7th “Best for Vets: Business Schools” by Military Times EDGE magazine, up from 16th a year ago.
EKU, the highest-ranking Kentucky institution on the list is home to more than 1,300 veterans and their dependents.
According to a release from EKU, the Business Schools survey measured university culture, student support, academic outcomes and quality, academic policies, cost and financial assistance. University culture and student support were given the most weight in the survey.
Approximately 140 colleges and universities participated in the nearly 80-question survey.
The university has seen other awards in recent years for its offerings to those who have served.
In 2011 and 2013, EKU earned a No. 1 national ranking from Military Times EDGE magazine in its annual Best for Vets: Colleges issue, which rates four-year colleges and universities on their commitment to helping military veterans further their education. Also, Eastern has been recognized by G.I. Jobs as a Military Friendly School each of the past five years.
The national honors were cited as prompting First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, to visit the EKU campus and address graduates at the University’s Spring 2013 commencement.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has named EKU a VetSuccess University, and a full-time VA employee is on hand at the University to help veterans with their benefits issues.
In 2010, Eastern launched Operation Veteran Success, a series of initiatives designed to make the university more veteran-helpful. As more and more troops return from Iraq and Afghanistan, EKU has more than doubled its number of military veterans and dependents in recent years. Many are pursuing degrees in criminal justice, police studies, homeland security, fire and safety and nursing, or a graduate degree in safety, security and emergency management.
The University waives the application fee for undergraduate applicants in the military and offers a minimum of nine credit hours for military service via the Joint Service Transcript, as well as military-friendly withdrawal and re-admissions policies.
For more information about opportunities and services available to veterans and their dependents at EKU, visit va.eku.edu or call 859-622-2345.