Purdue Global places in top 5 of several categories in 2024 Military Times Best for Vets survey

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Global has received three top 5 placements, including the No. 1-ranked university in Indiana, No. 2 in the Midwest, and No. 4 nationally for primarily online universities in the 2024 Military Times Best for Vets rankings.

The Military Times annually surveys colleges and universities across the nation to produce the most comprehensive annual rankings of institutions for veterans and military-affiliated students. The results are analyzed and, along with public data about colleges and universities obtained from the departments of Education and Veterans Affairs, are used to create the rankings. This year, 304 institutions that offer in-person or online, career or technical education programs completed the survey. Student success metrics (completion, retention, persistence, GPA and graduation) are the most important factors in determining schools’ relative rankings, followed closely by the range of military-specific resources, level of financial support offered, policies and campus culture.

Purdue Global’s continued efforts and commitment to serve military-affiliated students around the world helped its climb in the rankings, placing in 2024 as:

• No. 1 in Indiana
• No. 2 in the Midwest
• No. 4 among online universities
• No. 24 among public universities
• No. 32 overall (which includes both in-person and online institutions)

The Military Times rankings have become a resource for schools to spread the word about their military programs and help veterans and military-affiliated students make important decisions about their educational planning and use of the education benefits earned through military service.

“Purdue Global’s significant rise in this year’s rankings demonstrates our steadfast commitment to serving our military-affiliated students and their families,” said Purdue Global Chancellor Frank Dooley. “Purdue Global is deeply committed to serving those who are currently serving or have served, and we do that by building a community of support and resources for our veterans and their family members.”

Dooley said Purdue Global — Purdue’s online university for working adults — recognizes the cultural and social perspective military-affiliated students bring to the classroom and the unique needs of these students. For example, the Office of Military Student Relations was created in 2023 to ensure an inclusive, high-quality, compliant experience for military students across key components of their educational journey and serves veterans, active-duty, Guard and Reserve, spouses and dependents. Currently, 27% of students enrolled at Purdue Global are military affiliated.

Barbara Kent, director of Military Student Experience and an Army veteran herself, said this year’s rise in the rankings reflects the commitment from Purdue Global leadership and its policies, world-class programs and faculty, in addition to the academic success of its military-affiliated students.

“These rankings show our commitment to a holistic approach to provide our military-affiliated students with a high-quality experience during their academic journey, from admissions to graduation and beyond,” Kent said. “The goal is to address any challenges that might be a barrier to degree completion, while at the same time building community.”

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://www.purdueglobal.edu.