by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re a veteran, service member, or military-affiliated student looking to study religion/religious studies, you’ve come to the right place. We have ranked 29 colleges that stand out for veteran religion/religious studies students, 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 reviewed colleges nationwide, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
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Learn more about these veteran-friendly religion/religious studies colleges below:
Our analysis ranked University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill the #1 college for veteran and military-affiliated students pursuing a degree in religion/religious studies. It scores 90.4 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. See the full religion/religious studies report for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Georgia came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best religion/religious studies colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 89.3 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. See the full religion/religious studies report for University of Georgia
University of Virginia-Main Campus is a great choice for veterans pursuing religion/religious studies, landing the #3 spot this year. It scores 87.5 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. Read more about religion/religious studies at University of Virginia-Main Campus
California State University-Long Beach is a great choice for veterans pursuing religion/religious studies, landing the #4 spot this year. It scores 86.7 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 100.0. More about the religion/religious studies program at California State University-Long Beach
Veteran students seeking a strong religion/religious studies program will find one at University of Central Florida, which ranked #5. It scores 84.7 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score.
Read more about religion/religious studies at University of Central Florida
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University of California-Santa Barbara landed the #6 spot for veterans pursuing religion/religious studies. The school's overall veterans score is 84.5 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. See the full religion/religious studies report for University of California-Santa Barbara
Florida State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best religion/religious studies colleges for veterans. Florida State University scores 82.4 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 100.0. See the full religion/religious studies report for Florida State University
University of St Thomas ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best religion/religious studies colleges for veterans. University of St Thomas scores 78.4 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 51.9, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. More about the religion/religious studies program at University of St Thomas
University of Arizona came in at #9 for veteran religion/religious studies students this year. The school's overall veterans score is 78.0 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. More about the religion/religious studies program at University of Arizona
University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the #10 spot for veterans pursuing religion/religious studies. The school's overall veterans score is 77.5 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
Read more about religion/religious studies at University of North Carolina at Greensboro
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American Public University System landed the #11 spot for veterans pursuing religion/religious studies. It scores 77.0 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. See the full religion/religious studies report for American Public University System
Liberty University landed the #12 spot for veterans pursuing religion/religious studies. Liberty University scores 76.7 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. More about the religion/religious studies program at Liberty University
Missouri State University-Springfield landed the #13 spot for veterans pursuing religion/religious studies. Missouri State University-Springfield scores 75.0 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. Read more about religion/religious studies at Missouri State University-Springfield
University of California-Davis placed #14 among the best religion/religious studies colleges for veterans. University of California-Davis scores 74.9 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. See the full religion/religious studies report for University of California-Davis
Florida International University placed #15 among the best religion/religious studies colleges for veterans. It scores 73.7 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
More about the religion/religious studies program at Florida International University
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Fordham University came in at #16 for veteran religion/religious studies students this year. The school's overall veterans score is 73.4 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 43.8, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. See the full religion/religious studies report for Fordham University
California Baptist University placed #17 among the best religion/religious studies colleges for veterans. California Baptist University scores 72.7 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 68.3, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. See the full religion/religious studies report for California Baptist University
Franciscan University of Steubenville ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best religion/religious studies colleges for veterans. Franciscan University of Steubenville scores 72.3 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 83.1, and veteran resources 33.3. See the full religion/religious studies report for Franciscan University of Steubenville
Southern Wesleyan University placed #19 among the best religion/religious studies colleges for veterans. Southern Wesleyan University scores 65.9 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 97.3, alongside a 33.3 veteran-support score. Read more about religion/religious studies at Southern Wesleyan University
Furman University landed the #20 spot for veterans pursuing religion/religious studies. The school's overall veterans score is 63.7 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 46.5, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3.
More about the religion/religious studies program at Furman University
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Nelson University came in at #21 for veteran religion/religious studies students this year. It scores 62.9 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-support score. More about the religion/religious studies program at Nelson University
Baylor University placed #22 among the best religion/religious studies colleges for veterans. It scores 62.4 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 49.5, and veteran resources 66.7. Read more about religion/religious studies at Baylor University
Columbia University in the City of New York ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best religion/religious studies colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 60.6 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 39.3, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. More about the religion/religious studies program at Columbia University in the City of New York
Faith International University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best religion/religious studies colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 57.4 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3. Read more about religion/religious studies at Faith International University
Arizona State University Digital Immersion came in at #25 for veteran religion/religious studies students this year. Arizona State University Digital Immersion scores 56.8 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Read more about religion/religious studies at Arizona State University Digital Immersion
Not far behind, these religion/religious studies colleges also rank among the best for veterans this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
Our ranking weighs the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students studying religion/religious 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.
