BOONE, N.C. — Military Times has named Appalachian State University to its 2025 “Best for Vets: Colleges” rankings list, released Nov. 17. The publication ranked the university in the top five nationwide schools recognized. Military Times’ annual rankings honor the country’s top colleges and universities for military service members and veterans.
The university earned the No. 5 spot out of 357 U.S. schools included in the list’s overall general education rankings — the largest field in the rankings’ 15-year history. Additionally, App State was ranked No. 2 in the public school category, earned second place among Southeast institutions and was named the No. 1 school in North Carolina.
“We are proud to support our military-affiliated students, faculty and staff, along with their families, and we are dedicated to the success of our military-affiliated students in the classroom and after graduation,” said App State Chancellor Heather Norris. “These recognitions reflect our universitywide commitment to supporting our student, faculty and staff veterans, who enrich our campus community through their personal experiences and perspectives.”
The rankings evaluate U.S. higher education institutions based on their student success metrics, programs, training and support infrastructure for military-affiliated students. They are designed to “help transitioning service members find schools that not only welcome veterans but actively invest in their success,” Military Times wrote in its news release on the rankings.
Members of the App State Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) leadership team are pictured with Col. Mike Farmer, commander of the U.S. Army Cadet Command 4th Brigade, second from right, and Command Sgt. Maj. Nathaniel Atkinson, U.S. Army Cadet Command 4th Brigade, far right, displaying the General Douglas MacArthur Award conferred to the university’s ROTC program, the Mountaineer Battalion. The award, presented to the battalion during a ceremony held in spring 2025 on the Boone campus, honors the top eight ROTC programs in the country for their exceptional contributions to military leadership and training. Pictured, from left to right, are App State’s Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Browne, Master Sgt. Paul Sinnott, Capt. Russell Kimmel and Capt. Steven Pressley.. Photo by Chase Reynolds
In its online profile of App State, Military Times highlighted the university’s resources and support for military-affiliated students, including tailored career services, priority registration for classes, the Major General Edward M. Reeder Jr. Student Veteran Resource Center, designated admissions counselors for veterans and service members, and financial aid and scholarship opportunities available to military-affiliated students and their families. App State also uses the UNC System’s Military Equivalency System to award credit for military experience and supports scholarship, emergency funding and career services for veterans and their families.
In fall 2025, App State enrolls 1,449 military-affiliated students, including 275 veterans, 129 active-duty service members, 75 military spouses and 970 military dependents.
“App State’s recognition as a Best for Vets school highlights our commitment to supporting our incredible military Mountaineers,” said Bethany Gonzalez, associate director of App State Student Veteran Services. “We take pride in fostering an environment where our military-affiliated students can thrive, connect and continue to make a positive impact.”
Gonzalez shared that the significant improvement in App State’s national ranking — an advancement of 34 positions over its 2024 ranking — reflects the university’s intentional efforts to enhance resources, strengthen outreach and improve the overall experience for military-connected students.
She added, “We have placed a strong emphasis on mental and physical well-being by expanding wellness programs, connecting students with tailored support services and creating more opportunities for community and belonging.”
App State’s Heroes block A icon, which features the American flag, marks the entrance of the Major General Edward M. Reeder Jr. Student Veteran Resource Center at App State. The center provides programming, services and resources to support App State’s military-affiliated students. Photo by Kyla Willoughby
About the rankings
To generate its 2025 “Best for Vets: Colleges” rankings, Military Times considered the following criteria:
- Success metrics — including retention and graduation rates and 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
Beginning with the 2024 survey, Military Times introduced more detailed scoring categories to better distinguish 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 militarytimes.com.
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NC’s public universities — including App State — offer thousands of academic course equivalencies for military occupations and training
Blakeley, an Army veteran, was the featured speaker at App State's Veterans Day Ceremony
The award recognizes the top 8 ROTC programs in the country
About Appalachian’s 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, the App State Student Veterans Association — an official chapter of the Student Veterans of America — and others. Learn more at https://militarystudents.appstate.edu.
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, cost-effective education. 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.
NC’s public universities — including App State — offer thousands of academic course equivalencies for military occupations and training
Blakeley, an Army veteran, was the featured speaker at App State's Veterans Day Ceremony
The award recognizes the top 8 ROTC programs in the country
