by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re a veteran, service member, or military-affiliated student looking to study stringed instruments, you’ve come to the right place. This ranking highlights 20 schools that stand out for veteran stringed instruments 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).
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Narrow this ranking to a degree level below:
Here are the top-ranked stringed instruments colleges for veterans:
Our analysis ranked University of Michigan-Ann Arbor the #1 college for veteran and military-affiliated students pursuing a degree in stringed instruments. The school's overall veterans score is 89.6 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 100.0. More about the stringed instruments program at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
A rank of #2 makes University of Washington-Seattle Campus one of the top stringed instruments colleges for veteran students. University of Washington-Seattle Campus scores 85.4 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 stringed instruments program at University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Veteran students seeking a strong stringed instruments program will find one at Carnegie Mellon University, which ranked #3. It scores 77.1 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 42.5, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. Read more about stringed instruments at Carnegie Mellon University
A rank of #4 makes Liberty University one of the top stringed instruments colleges for veteran students. 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. See the full stringed instruments report for Liberty University
Texas Christian University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best stringed instruments colleges for veterans. Texas Christian University scores 74.2 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 47.4, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
Read more about stringed instruments at Texas Christian University
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Brigham Young University came in at #6 for veteran stringed instruments students this year. Brigham Young University scores 74.0 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. Read more about stringed instruments at Brigham Young University
University of Redlands came in at #7 for veteran stringed instruments students this year. It scores 73.8 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 47.1, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. Read more about stringed instruments at University of Redlands
University of Central Oklahoma ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best stringed instruments colleges for veterans. It scores 71.8 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. More about the stringed instruments program at University of Central Oklahoma
Roosevelt University placed #9 among the best stringed instruments colleges for veterans. It scores 70.7 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. More about the stringed instruments program at Roosevelt University
University of Southern California placed #10 among the best stringed instruments colleges for veterans. It scores 70.6 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 44.7, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score.
Read more about stringed instruments at University of Southern California
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University of Hartford landed the #11 spot for veterans pursuing stringed instruments. It scores 65.7 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 56.9, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. More about the stringed instruments program at University of Hartford
Chapman University placed #12 among the best stringed instruments colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 57.7 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 43.2, and veteran resources 66.7. See the full stringed instruments report for Chapman University
Northwestern University landed the #13 spot for veterans pursuing stringed instruments. It scores 57.6 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 41.1, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3. More about the stringed instruments program at Northwestern University
Vanderbilt University landed the #14 spot for veterans pursuing stringed instruments. It scores 57.1 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 42.4, with a veteran-resources score of 0.0. Read more about stringed instruments at Vanderbilt University
Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music placed #15 among the best stringed instruments colleges for veterans. Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music scores 51.8 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.
Read more about stringed instruments at Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music
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San Francisco Conservatory of Music ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best stringed instruments colleges for veterans. It scores 46.8 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 49.7, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3. Read more about stringed instruments at San Francisco Conservatory of Music
The Juilliard School came in at #17 for veteran stringed instruments students this year. It scores 43.8 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 48.0, with a veteran-resources score of 0.0. Read more about stringed instruments at The Juilliard School
Manhattan School of Music ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best stringed instruments colleges for veterans. It scores 42.4 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 49.7, and veteran resources 33.3. Read more about stringed instruments at Manhattan School of Music
The New England Conservatory of Music came in at #19 for veteran stringed instruments students this year. It scores 41.7 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 46.3, alongside a 0.0 veteran-support score. More about the stringed instruments program at The New England Conservatory of Music
Los Angeles College of Music landed the #20 spot for veterans pursuing stringed instruments. The school's overall veterans score is 39.9 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 0.0. More about the stringed instruments program at Los Angeles College of Music
*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 stringed instruments: 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.
