by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re a veteran, service member, or military-affiliated student looking to study youth ministry, you’ve come to the right place. The list below highlights 11 colleges ranked on how well they support veterans pursuing youth ministry, using our 2026 methodology.
We measure this ranking 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 evaluated colleges nationwide, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ready to build your own comparison? Check out our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Explore the best youth ministry colleges for veterans at a specific degree level:
Learn more about these veteran-friendly youth ministry colleges below:
Our analysis ranked Liberty University the #1 college for veteran and military-affiliated students pursuing a degree in youth ministry. The school's overall veterans score is 76.7 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. More about the youth ministry program at Liberty University
A rank of #2 makes Dallas Baptist University one of the top youth ministry colleges for veteran students. The school's overall veterans score is 71.0 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 71.1, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3. More about the youth ministry program at Dallas Baptist University
A rank of #3 makes Grace College and Theological Seminary one of the top youth ministry colleges for veteran students. It scores 64.0 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 90.3, and veteran resources 66.7. Read more about youth ministry at Grace College and Theological Seminary
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion is a great choice for veterans pursuing youth ministry, landing the #4 spot this year. Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion scores 62.9 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 92.0, and veteran resources 33.3. Read more about youth ministry at Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion
A rank of #5 makes Lee University one of the top youth ministry colleges for veteran students. The school's overall veterans score is 61.5 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-support score.
See the full youth ministry report for Lee University
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Crown College came in at #6 for veteran youth ministry students this year. The school's overall veterans score is 61.0 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 89.8, and veteran resources 33.3. See the full youth ministry report for Crown College
Lancaster Bible College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best youth ministry colleges for veterans. Lancaster Bible College scores 61.0 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 90.4, with a veteran-resources score of 0.0. Read more about youth ministry at Lancaster Bible College
Colorado Christian University came in at #8 for veteran youth ministry students this year. Colorado Christian University scores 59.9 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 69.1, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3. More about the youth ministry program at Colorado Christian University
Moody Bible Institute came in at #9 for veteran youth ministry students this year. It scores 58.5 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, alongside a 0.0 veteran-support score. Read more about youth ministry at Moody Bible Institute
Ozark Christian College landed the #10 spot for veterans pursuing youth ministry. The school's overall veterans score is 53.3 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, and veteran resources 0.0.
Read more about youth ministry at Ozark Christian College
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Valor Christian College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best youth ministry colleges for veterans. Valor Christian College scores 52.0 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 0.0. More about the youth ministry program at Valor Christian College
*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 youth ministry: 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.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.
