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View larger image

App State Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets are recognized on the field at Kidd Brewer Stadium during the university’s Heroes Day football game on Nov. 2 for their efforts in assisting local communities that were impacted by Hurricane Helene. Military Times ranked App State as one of the nation’s top schools for military service members and veterans in its 2024 “Best for Vets: Colleges” rankings list. Photo by Chase Reynolds

Military Times ranks App State among the nation’s best schools for military service members, veterans for 2024

“These recognitions reaffirm our steadfast dedication across the university to support veterans, service members and their families in their academic pursuits. We are grateful for the chance to serve those who have served our country and we are honored to continue supporting you.”

App State Interim Chancellor Heather Norris

By J. Todd Coates and Jessica Stump
Posted Nov. 8, 2024 at 3:15 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Military Times has named Appalachian State University to its 2024 “Best for Vets: Colleges” rankings list, which honors the nation’s top colleges and universities for military service members and veterans.

“These recognitions reaffirm our steadfast dedication across the university to support veterans, service members and their families in their academic pursuits. We are grateful for the chance to serve those who have served our country and we are honored to continue supporting you.”

App State Interim Chancellor Heather Norris

The university ranked as No. 39 out of 304 nationwide schools included in the overall rankings list, or within the top 13% of schools recognized. Additionally, App State placed among the top 10 ranked schools in the Southeast and as the No. 2 school in North Carolina.

App State also secured the No. 29 spot of the 215 public schools named on the list, placing the university within the top 14% of schools recognized.

“These recognitions reaffirm our steadfast dedication across the university to support veterans, service members and their families in their academic pursuits,” said App State Interim Chancellor Heather Norris. “We are grateful for the chance to serve those who have served our country and we are honored to continue supporting you.”

The rankings evaluate U.S. higher education institutions based on their student success metrics, programs, training and support infrastructure for military-affiliated students and are designed to “help veterans make important decisions about their educational planning and how to use the education benefits they earned through military service,” Military Times stated in a news release.

“Our student veterans bring invaluable experience, perspective and resilience to the App State Community, and their dedication goes beyond academic success. They take on leadership roles across campus and are deeply committed to service within and beyond our university.”

Bethany Gonzalez, associate director of App State Student Veteran Services

In its online profile of App State, Military Times highlighted the university’s resources and support measures in place for military-affiliated students, including career services tailored to military students, priority registration for classes, the Major General Edward M. Reeder Jr. Student Veteran Resource Center, designated admissions counselors for veterans and military service members, and financial aid and scholarship opportunities available to military-affiliated students and their families.

View larger image

App State Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets are pictured Nov. 7, participating in a field training exercise at App State’s Teaching and Research Farm in Ashe County. Photo by Chase Reynolds

In fall 2024, App State enrolls 1,403 military-affiliated students, including 261 veterans, 113 active-duty service members, 40 military spouses and 989 military dependents.

“Our student veterans bring invaluable experience, perspective and resilience to the App State Community, and their dedication goes beyond academic success," said Bethany Gonzalez, associate director of App State Student Veteran Services. "They take on leadership roles across campus and are deeply committed to service within and beyond our university. This commitment was evident in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, when many of our military Mountaineers stepped up to volunteer in our community.”

Gonzalez added, "We are proud to help create an environment where our military-affiliated students can thrive, connect and continue to make an impact.”

About the rankings

To generate its 2024 “Best for Vets: Colleges” rankings, Military Times considered the following criteria:

  • Success metrics — including retention and graduation rates, as well as student GPAs.
  • The range of military-specific resources available for students.
  • The level of financial assistance the schools offer.
  • The schools’ admissions and registration policies, as well as human resources.

For the 2024 survey, Military Times reported that it introduced a deeper level of categorization in the scoring that better distinguishes the different levels of educational opportunities at each institution. Success metrics for each level of education — certificate, associate, baccalaureate and graduate — were compared against one another for all schools offering these levels.

Military Times compiled the rankings based on surveys sent to colleges and universities about their programs for veterans, as well as public data obtained from the U.S. Department of Education and Department of Veterans Affairs.

Military Times is an independent news source for members of the U.S. military and their families. To learn more, visit miltiarytimes.com.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Resources and services available for App State’s military-affiliated students
  • The Major General Edward M. Reeder Jr. Student Veteran Resource Center, which serves the needs of App State’s military-affiliated students who are active-duty military personnel and veterans.
  • In-state tuition without residency requirements for some recently discharged service members and military students who are in the N.C. National Guard or on active duty at a military base within North Carolina.
  • Dedicated Office of Admissions assistance for veterans and military service members considering enrolling at the university.
  • Targeted orientation and advising sessions for veterans and military-affiliated students.
  • The Career Development Center, which assists student veterans with career planning and veterans preference programs.
  • The App State Student Veterans Association — an official chapter of the Student Veterans of America national organization. The university chapter provides military veterans and their families with the resources, support and advocacy needed to succeed at App State, and also raises awareness for veterans issues and promotes community service and volunteerism.
  • The Military Affairs Committee, which supports the success of military-affiliated students, staff and faculty by advocating for veterans, their dependents and other military-affiliated community members.
  • Student veteran-specific financial aid opportunities.
  • The GY6 Emergency Scholarship, made possible by the generosity of Student Veteran Services’ supporters, provides aid to student veterans experiencing financial hardship or emergencies. Student veterans who are experiencing hardship may apply for GY6 Emergency Scholarship funds through App State’s Office of Case Management.
Student Veteran Services
Student Veteran Services

Student Veteran Services at Appalachian State University is dedicated to helping the university’s military-affiliated students thrive on campus and in the Boone community. The unit does so by connecting student veterans and military-affiliated students with services and resources that are commensurate with their needs, capabilities and contributions. These resources and services include the Major General Edward M. Reeder Jr. Student Veteran Resource Center, priority registration, scholarship opportunities, a Student Veteran Association and others.

Learn more
App State earns 15th consecutive Military Friendly School designation, ranked a top 10 school for 2024–25
App State earns 15th consecutive Military Friendly School designation, ranked a top 10 school for 2024–25

The university also received a top 10 Military Spouse Friendly School designation

March 27, 2024

Appalachian State University has been designated a 2024–25 Military Friendly® School by VIQTORY, marking the 15th consecutive year the university has received the honor. App State once again received a top 10 ranking from the organization.

Read the story

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

“These recognitions reaffirm our steadfast dedication across the university to support veterans, service members and their families in their academic pursuits. We are grateful for the chance to serve those who have served our country and we are honored to continue supporting you.”

App State Interim Chancellor Heather Norris

“Our student veterans bring invaluable experience, perspective and resilience to the App State Community, and their dedication goes beyond academic success. They take on leadership roles across campus and are deeply committed to service within and beyond our university.”

Bethany Gonzalez, associate director of App State Student Veteran Services

Resources and services available for App State’s military-affiliated students
  • The Major General Edward M. Reeder Jr. Student Veteran Resource Center, which serves the needs of App State’s military-affiliated students who are active-duty military personnel and veterans.
  • In-state tuition without residency requirements for some recently discharged service members and military students who are in the N.C. National Guard or on active duty at a military base within North Carolina.
  • Dedicated Office of Admissions assistance for veterans and military service members considering enrolling at the university.
  • Targeted orientation and advising sessions for veterans and military-affiliated students.
  • The Career Development Center, which assists student veterans with career planning and veterans preference programs.
  • The App State Student Veterans Association — an official chapter of the Student Veterans of America national organization. The university chapter provides military veterans and their families with the resources, support and advocacy needed to succeed at App State, and also raises awareness for veterans issues and promotes community service and volunteerism.
  • The Military Affairs Committee, which supports the success of military-affiliated students, staff and faculty by advocating for veterans, their dependents and other military-affiliated community members.
  • Student veteran-specific financial aid opportunities.
  • The GY6 Emergency Scholarship, made possible by the generosity of Student Veteran Services’ supporters, provides aid to student veterans experiencing financial hardship or emergencies. Student veterans who are experiencing hardship may apply for GY6 Emergency Scholarship funds through App State’s Office of Case Management.
Student Veteran Services
Student Veteran Services

Student Veteran Services at Appalachian State University is dedicated to helping the university’s military-affiliated students thrive on campus and in the Boone community. The unit does so by connecting student veterans and military-affiliated students with services and resources that are commensurate with their needs, capabilities and contributions. These resources and services include the Major General Edward M. Reeder Jr. Student Veteran Resource Center, priority registration, scholarship opportunities, a Student Veteran Association and others.

Learn more
App State earns 15th consecutive Military Friendly School designation, ranked a top 10 school for 2024–25
App State earns 15th consecutive Military Friendly School designation, ranked a top 10 school for 2024–25

The university also received a top 10 Military Spouse Friendly School designation

March 27, 2024

Appalachian State University has been designated a 2024–25 Military Friendly® School by VIQTORY, marking the 15th consecutive year the university has received the honor. App State once again received a top 10 ranking from the organization.

Read the story

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
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Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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