September 19, 2022 · 3 min read

Nebraska in top 30 nationally, No. 2 in B1G for veteran supports

by Troy Fedderson | University Communication and Marketing

Gus Kathol | For University Communication and Marketing

An ROTC Color Guard stands in front of Nebraska's Pershing Military and Naval Science Building during the dedication of the university's Veterans' Tribute project on Sept. 11, 2022. The project allows visitors to reflect on what it means to be a veteran and to serve the nation. It is located between the Military and Naval Science Building and the Coliseum, immediately east of Memorial Stadium.

A commitment to supporting student veterans, Huskers currently serving in uniform and military family members has earned the University of Nebraska–Lincoln another top 30-ranking in the annual Military Times’ Best for Vets: Colleges 2022 survey.

In the recently released ranking, Nebraska is No. 29 overall and No. 2 among Big Ten institutions. This is the sixth year in a row that the university is featured in the list, which includes more than 300 universities and colleges.

“This ranking is recognition of the incredible team we have in place across the university and their dedication to helping our military-connected Huskers accomplish their academic and career goals,” said Joe Brownell, director of the university’s Military and Veteran Success Center. “Our commitment to one-on-one interactions is a cornerstone to this success — and one of the many reasons Nebraska is truly a military-friendly institution.”

Now in its seventh year of operation, the Military and Veteran Success Center is a central reason behind the university’s strength in assisting veterans and military-connected students.

The center is focused on five pillars of excellence — education benefits, academic support, student services, career services, and outreach on and off campus. The university currently serves more than 1,600 military-connected students. That total includes 1,052 military dependents, 341 veterans, and 242 in the National Guard, active duty or reserves.

“We continue to see an annual increase of 2 to 3% in those military-connected students that we serve,” Brownell said. “That is partly due to this ranking and the level of service we provide. It’s also because we are doing a better job of connecting with those students and offering them support.”

Key reasons military-connected students are picking Nebraska include affordability (including in-state tuition regardless of home state), academic support services, career guidance and outreach opportunities.

“We’ve also recently expanded our list of courses for tutoring services and expanded partnerships with outside organizations, including Veterans Affairs, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars,” Brownell said.

For the Military Times’ Best for Vets: Colleges 2022 rankings, more than 300 higher education institutions from across the United States participate by completing a rigorous survey of more than 70 questions regarding campus services that support current and former military members and their families.

Details on the survey are available here. An overview of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln ranking is here.