ATHENS, W.Va. (LOOTPRESS) – Concord University has once again earned national recognition for its commitment to military-connected students, securing a spot on the Military Times 2026 Best for Vets: Colleges rankings for the third consecutive year.
The annual rankings recognize colleges and universities across the country for their efforts to support veterans, active-duty service members and military families.
This year’s list features 370 institutions across all 50 states, up from 357 in 2025, making it the largest in the program’s history.
Concord University Veteran Services Director George Williams said the recognition reflects the university’s continued commitment to helping military-connected students succeed.
“Our military-connected community at Concord University remains steadfast in supporting our student population, reflecting our ongoing commitment to creating an environment where veterans and their families thrive,” Williams said. “Being recognized by ‘Military Times’ as one of the most veteran-friendly campuses in the nation affirms the impact of this work and the dedication of our team.”
Williams emphasized that the recognition is a university-wide accomplishment, with faculty and staff across campus playing a role in supporting veterans and their families.
“At Concord, our support extends far beyond the classroom,” Williams said. “We provide comprehensive services, individualized guidance, and campus-wide advocacy to ensure that every military-connected student has the tools they need to succeed. The success of our veterans and their families will always be one of our highest priorities.”
The Military Times rankings are based on an extensive survey evaluating institutions in several areas, including campus culture, student support services, academic policies, tuition costs, financial assistance and military-connected student success rates.
The 2026 survey highlighted growing participation among public universities and community colleges, along with increased efforts to eliminate barriers for veterans pursuing higher education.
Those efforts include waiving late fees when military education benefits are delayed, preventing students from being dropped from classes while benefits are pending and simplifying the benefits process.
The survey also identified expanded career services specifically designed for military-connected students and increased planning for future veteran-focused initiatives.
Concord University’s latest recognition marks its third straight year on the national list.
The complete 2026 Best for Vets: Colleges rankings are available through Military Times.
