FAYETTE, IOWA (10/22/2018) Upper Iowa University (UIU) has once again been named a "Best for Vets" college by Military Times. The Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges 2019 rankings are based on the results of the 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.
"This repeated recognition is a testament to the wide variety of programming and services offered to our nation's military personnel by Upper Iowa University," UIU Director of Military and Veteran Services Chad Cook said. "The UIU faculty and staff greatly appreciate the commitment it takes for our servicemen and -women to serve our country. In turn, we are deeply honored to provide the entire military family the opportunity to fulfill their personal educational and career objectives through an Education Built for Life."
As is true for all Military Times rankings, Best for Vets: Colleges is an editorially independent, objective and rigorous news project. This feature evaluates 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.
"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. It can't be bought with advertising dollars - unlike some other supposedly veteran-friendly rankings - only earned through a record of steadfast service and dedication to those who have served," Military Times Editor George Altman said. "Fewer than half of the roughly 500 colleges and universities that competed for the 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.