by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re a veteran, service member, or military-affiliated student looking to study national security policy studies, you’ve come to the right place. This ranking highlights 16 colleges that stand out for veteran national security policy studies students, using our 2026 methodology.
This ranking is based on 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).
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 national security policy studies colleges for veterans at a specific degree level:
Here are the top-ranked national security policy studies colleges for veterans:
San Diego State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best national security policy studies colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 87.8 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 100.0. Read more about national security policy studies at San Diego State University
A rank of #2 makes University of New Mexico-Main Campus one of the top national security policy studies colleges for veteran students. It scores 85.0 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 100.0. See the full national security policy studies report for University of New Mexico-Main Campus
Bellevue University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best national security policy studies colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 82.1 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, alongside a 100.0 veteran-support score. More about the national security policy studies program at Bellevue University
Veteran students seeking a strong national security policy studies program will find one at University of Missouri-Columbia, which ranked #4. It scores 79.9 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. More about the national security policy studies program at University of Missouri-Columbia
University of Massachusetts-Lowell is a great choice for veterans pursuing national security policy studies, landing the #5 spot this year. University of Massachusetts-Lowell scores 79.7 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
See the full national security policy studies report for University of Massachusetts-Lowell
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University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus came in at #6 for veteran national security policy studies students this year. The school's overall veterans score is 78.2 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. Read more about national security policy studies at University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
California State University-San Bernardino placed #7 among the best national security policy studies colleges for veterans. It scores 76.9 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. Read more about national security policy studies at California State University-San Bernardino
Liberty University came in at #8 for veteran national security policy studies students this year. The school's overall veterans score is 76.7 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. Read more about national security policy studies at Liberty University
Angelo State University landed the #9 spot for veterans pursuing national security policy studies. It scores 75.8 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. See the full national security policy studies report for Angelo State University
The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #10 spot for veterans pursuing national security policy studies. The school's overall veterans score is 75.4 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
See the full national security policy studies report for The University of Texas at El Paso
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University of North Georgia ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best national security policy studies colleges for veterans. It scores 74.8 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. See the full national security policy studies report for University of North Georgia
Norwich University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best national security policy studies colleges for veterans. Norwich University scores 74.5 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 54.7, and veteran resources 66.7. See the full national security policy studies report for Norwich University
Utah Valley University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best national security policy studies colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 74.4 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3. More about the national security policy studies program at Utah Valley University
Johns Hopkins University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best national security policy studies colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 74.0 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 42.8, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. More about the national security policy studies program at Johns Hopkins University
Fairmont State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best national security policy studies colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 70.8 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score.
See the full national security policy studies report for Fairmont State University
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University of Akron Main Campus landed the #16 spot for veterans pursuing national security policy studies. The school's overall veterans score is 69.2 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. More about the national security policy studies program at University of Akron Main Campus
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This ranking is based on the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students studying national security policy 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.
