by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re a veteran, service member, or military-affiliated student looking to study sports studies, you’ve come to the right place. We have ranked 24 programs ranked on how well they support veterans pursuing sports studies, using our 2026 methodology.
Our ranking weighs the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits (including GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon support), academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community. So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed colleges nationwide, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Want to compare schools head to head? Check out our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Explore the best sports studies colleges for veterans at a specific degree level:
Learn more about these veteran-friendly sports studies colleges below:
East Carolina University tops our 2026 ranking of the best sports studies colleges for veterans. East Carolina University scores 88.2 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 100.0. More about the sports studies program at East Carolina University
A rank of #2 makes National University one of the top sports studies colleges for veteran students. The school's overall veterans score is 82.8 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. More about the sports studies program at National University
Minnesota State University-Mankato is a great choice for veterans pursuing sports studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Minnesota State University-Mankato scores 81.1 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. See the full sports studies report for Minnesota State University-Mankato
University of Iowa is a great choice for veterans pursuing sports studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University of Iowa scores 81.1 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. More about the sports studies program at University of Iowa
Veteran students seeking a strong sports studies program will find one at Ball State University, which ranked #5. Ball State University scores 80.6 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score.
Read more about sports studies at Ball State University
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University of Massachusetts-Boston ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best sports studies colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 79.0 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. Read more about sports studies at University of Massachusetts-Boston
State University of New York at Cortland came in at #7 for veteran sports studies students this year. The school's overall veterans score is 77.2 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-support score. See the full sports studies report for State University of New York at Cortland
John Carroll University came in at #8 for veteran sports studies students this year. It scores 75.2 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 55.2, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. Read more about sports studies at John Carroll University
Shenandoah University placed #9 among the best sports studies colleges for veterans. It scores 74.5 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 75.3, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. See the full sports studies report for Shenandoah University
United States Sports University placed #10 among the best sports studies colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 74.0 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3.
See the full sports studies report for United States Sports University
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Western Kentucky University landed the #11 spot for veterans pursuing sports studies. The school's overall veterans score is 73.9 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. Read more about sports studies at Western Kentucky University
Upper Iowa University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best sports studies colleges for veterans. Upper Iowa University scores 73.5 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. More about the sports studies program at Upper Iowa University
Methodist University landed the #13 spot for veterans pursuing sports studies. Methodist University scores 69.9 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 68.4, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. Read more about sports studies at Methodist University
University of Saint Mary landed the #14 spot for veterans pursuing sports studies. University of Saint Mary scores 68.8 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 80.0, and veteran resources 33.3. Read more about sports studies at University of Saint Mary
University of Mary placed #15 among the best sports studies colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 68.5 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, and veteran resources 33.3.
More about the sports studies program at University of Mary
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Lubbock Christian University landed the #16 spot for veterans pursuing sports studies. The school's overall veterans score is 68.1 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 99.3, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3. Read more about sports studies at Lubbock Christian University
St. Thomas Aquinas College landed the #17 spot for veterans pursuing sports studies. It scores 63.8 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 71.9, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3. More about the sports studies program at St. Thomas Aquinas College
Texas Southern University placed #18 among the best sports studies colleges for veterans. Texas Southern University scores 62.6 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. More about the sports studies program at Texas Southern University
Ottawa University-Surprise landed the #19 spot for veterans pursuing sports studies. The school's overall veterans score is 60.2 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 76.8, and veteran resources 33.3. See the full sports studies report for Ottawa University-Surprise
Adams State University landed the #20 spot for veterans pursuing sports studies. Adams State University scores 58.5 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-support score.
See the full sports studies report for Adams State University
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Southwestern College placed #21 among the best sports studies colleges for veterans. It scores 53.0 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 70.5, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. Read more about sports studies at Southwestern College
Bethel University placed #22 among the best sports studies colleges for veterans. It scores 50.5 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 81.4, with a veteran-resources score of 0.0. Read more about sports studies at Bethel University
Manhattanville University came in at #23 for veteran sports studies students this year. Manhattanville University scores 37.5 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 63.1, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3. See the full sports studies report for Manhattanville University
Ottawa University-Ottawa came in at #24 for veteran sports studies students this year. Ottawa University-Ottawa scores 25.2 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Read more about sports studies at Ottawa University-Ottawa
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
We measure this ranking on the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students studying sports studies: affordability and veteran financial benefits (GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon), academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community.
These rankings are produced by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.
