Cadets in App State’s Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program are pictured Oct. 16, during their Fall Field Training Exercise. The event was highlighted by an airborne enlistment ceremony featuring two App State alumni piloting Black Hawk helicopters. Photo by Kyla Willoughby. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) or Military-themed visual information does not imply or constitute endorsement by the DoD.
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has earned its place on Military Times’ 2026 “Best for Vets: Colleges” list, released Nov. 9, which recognizes U.S. higher education institutions for their commitment to supporting military service members, veterans and their families.
The university ranked No. 27 out of 370 U.S. schools included in the overall list — the largest field in the rankings’ 16-year history. App State also achieved high marks across several rankings categories:
- No. 2 among North Carolina schools;
- No. 7 among Southeast institutions;
- No. 7 among Traditional and Online schools; and
- No. 22 among public universities nationwide — within the top 8% of recognized schools.
U.S. Army veteran and computer information systems major Miguel Camacho carries the American flag as he leads the App State Mountaineers football team onto the Kidd Brewer Stadium field during App State’s Heroes Day football game, held Nov. 7. The game was one of several Heroes Week events held at App State from Nov. 4–11 to honor and celebrate veterans, military personnel and their families. Photo by Kyla Willoughby. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) or Military-themed visual information does not imply or constitute endorsement by the DoD.
“We are proud to support Mountaineer veterans and military service members as they pursue their educational and professional goals, and we are grateful for the many ways their service, leadership and contributions strengthen the App State Community,” said App State Chancellor Heather Norris. “These latest rankings affirm our dedication to ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to thrive — at App State and beyond.”
According to Military Times, its 2026 rankings are based on surveys of each school’s policies, programs and outcomes, considering factors that include university culture, student support services, academic policies, costs and financial assistance and military-connected student success rates.
App State Community members are pictured in the university’s Major General Edward M. Reeder Jr. Student Veteran Resource Center on the Boone campus. The center, which opened in 2016, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Photo by Kyla Willoughby. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) or Military-themed visual information does not imply or constitute endorsement by the DoD.
In its online profile of App State, the publication 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 University of North Carolina 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 2026, App State enrolls 1,535 military-affiliated students, including 292 veterans, 110 active-duty service members, 94 military spouses and 1,039 military dependents.
Military Times is an independent news source for members of the U.S. military and their families. To learn more, visit militarytimes.com.
Testimonials included in this news release are not an endorsement by any of the military branches.
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.
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