Institutions on the list are evaluated for the many factors that help make colleges and universities a good fit for service members, military veterans and their families.
Texas Tech University has earned a spot on the 2019 Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges rankings. The university has been included on the list every year since 2013.
The rankings, based on the results of Military Times' annual survey, offer the most comprehensive school-by-school assessment of veteran and military student services and rates of academic achievement. Public data from the Veterans Affairs and Defense departments, as well as three U.S. Department of Education sources – the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, College Scorecard data and the Cohort Default Rate Guide Database – are also factors considered in the rankings.
“This ranking reflects Texas Tech's ongoing commitment to providing veterans and their families a culture of support and a high-quality education,” said Debra Crosby, director of Military & Veterans Programs (MVP) at Texas Tech. “We are proud to be a national leader for excellence in serving our military and veteran population.”
Of the roughly 500 colleges and universities surveyed, only 208 institutions made the final cut for the rankings list. The rankings evaluate the many factors that make colleges and universities a good fit for service members, military veterans and their families. Military Times asked 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.
“We place a high priority on providing access to educational opportunities for our veterans, active military and their families,” said Lawrence Schovanec, Texas Tech president. “Our continued inclusion on the Best for Vets: Colleges rankings speaks not only to the work of Debra Crosby and her team in Military & Veterans Programs, but also to our campus-wide commitment that makes Texas Tech a welcoming and supportive environment for the families of those who have served our nation.”
Created in 2010 and housed within the Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Texas Tech's MVP is dedicated to helping veterans and their families succeed on and off campus. Resources for financial aid, academic assistance and navigating federal forms and educational benefits are provided through MVP, and an active event calendar gives veteran students a chance to engage in the Texas Tech and Lubbock communities and to recognize and honor fellow service members. The office currently serves a community of more than 2,000 students.
Texas Tech is consistently recognized for its efforts in serving its military and veteran members and their families. Texas Tech has been named a Military Friendly School each year since 2010, including a 2018-19 Top 10 designation, the highest of the recognition's available accolades.
In 2014, the university was designated as the first Purple Heart University in Texas by the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Texas Tech received the honor after participating in the 2013 National Day of Remembrance Roll Call and organizing the largest single gathering of Purple Heart recipients during a football game, and by providing service to wounded warriors through MVP, Student Disability Services and the Veterans Administration.
See the full 2019 Best for Vets: Colleges rankings here.
For more information about Texas Tech's Military & Veterans Programs, visit the website.
