Troy University has been ranked as the top university in Alabama in Military Times’ 2019 Best for Vets college rankings and was ranked 37th nationally.
In their ninth year, the rankings are based on the results of Military Times’ annual survey – the most comprehensive school-by-school assessment of veteran and military student services and rates of academic achievement – as well as a detailed review of public data collected by federal agencies. The Best for Vets college rankings evaluate the many factors that help make colleges and universities a good fit for service members, military veterans and their families. About 500 colleges took part in this year’s survey.
“Troy University takes very seriously our service to those men and women in uniform, and those who support them,” said Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor. “We know that freedom is not free, and at TROY, we take great pride in serving and supporting those who sacrifice daily to protect our way of life. Since the 1950s, Troy University has set the standard of service, and these external rankings and recognition validate our efforts.”
Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Walter Givhan, who serves as TROY’s Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement and Economic Development, seeks to serve the unique needs of military-affiliated students in a number of ways.
“Troy University is proud to help our military-affiliated students achieve their educational goals, just as TROY helped me achieve mine when I earned my master’s while flying F-15 Eagles in Germany,” Givhan said. “At TROY, our commitment to our service men and women is demonstrated through our actions. The TROY for Troops Centers were established to help meet the needs that are unique to our service men and women, and our Military and Family Scholarship helps to ensure that a quality higher education is affordable and accessible to those currently serving in the military. We are pleased to be recognized for these and the many other ways in which we serve the military community.”
The Best for Vets rankings are earned through a record of steadfast service and dedication to those who have served, according to George Altman, the Military Times editor in charge of rankings.
“Military Times’ Best for Vets designation is trusted throughout the veteran community as the mark of excellence for schools and other organizations that work with veterans, service members and military families,” Altman said. “Fewer than half of the roughly 500 colleges and universities that competed for recognition earned the right to call themselves Best for Vets in 2019. Their efforts should be commended.”
Military Times’ annual Best for Vets: Colleges survey asks colleges and universities to disclose academic outcome and input data, describe many aspects of veteran culture on campus and meticulously document a wide array of services, special policies, accommodations and financial incentives offered to students with military ties. Military Times also factors in data from the Veterans Affairs and Defense departments, as well as three Education Department sources: the IPEDS Data Center, College Scorecard data and the Cohort Default Rate Database.
