SAN ANGELO, TX - For the fourth straight year, Angelo State University has been named one of the nation’s 175 Best Colleges for Veterans by the Military Times organization in its “Best for Vets: Colleges 2017” rankings. 

According to the press release, ASU is also one of only 130 four-year institutions on the list, and is one of seven Texas public four-year schools to earn the “Best for Vets” designation. The Military Times includes the Air Force Times, Army Times, Marine Corps Times and Navy Times newspapers, their corresponding websites and several other military-themed publications.

The rankings are based on comprehensive school-by-school survey analysis of college and university offerings for veterans, military students, and their families. The press release stated there are more than 500 colleges that took part in this year’s survey.  

“We limit our list to encourage competition, and we genuinely hope this helps raise the bar for veterans on campus,” said Amanda Miller, editor of Best for Vets. 

The Military Times’ annual Best for Vets: Colleges survey asks colleges and universities to meticulously document a tremendous array of services, special rules, accommodations and financial incentives offered to students with military ties, as well as to describe many aspects of veteran culture on campus.

Also factored in is data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, as well as three Department of Education sources: the IPEDS Data Center, College Scorecard data and the Cohort Default Rate Database.

ASU President Brian J. May said, “While ASU continues to be recognized for our veteran and military programs, we know we can’t just rest on our laurels. This year, we created the Office of Affiliated Military and Veteran Services to further coordinate the efforts of our VETS Center and other faculty and staff who deal directly with our military and veteran students and their families. Our goal is to not only provide them with a quality education and the distinctive services they need, but also to encourage positive outcomes as they progress toward graduation and career success.”

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 dedicated computer lab. More information on ASU’s veteran and military programs is available online at www.angelo.edu/dept/military/.