Liberty lands in 2023 ‘Best for Vets’ top 20; ranks No. 1 for online education

Liberty University has ranked No. 1 for schools primarily categorized as providing online education, No. 2 in the Appalachia region, and in the top-20 overall for four or more years in the Military Times’ recent Best for Vets: Colleges list. The list recognizes universities around the country that go above and beyond to accommodate veterans and their families. Overall, Liberty landed at No. 20 out of 325 schools that were ranked.

The ranking highlights Liberty’s academic support and career advising services for military students as well as the broad range of services the university provides through the on-campus Veterans Center and special events for military students and their families.

Liberty has traditionally maintained high marks in the Best for Vets rankings, exhibited by its standing inside the top-20 for more than four years. Last year, Liberty was ranked No. 14, and in the past, came in at No. 1 in the 2019 online/non-traditional category.

Emily Foutz, director of Military Affairs at Liberty, said the Office of Military Affairs is focused on providing military students with the help they need, from application to graduation and beyond.

“The Office of Military Affairs considers it a true privilege to support our service members, veterans, and military spouses,” she said. “We work closely with offices around the university to identify and meet needs to provide the support students need to pursue their goals. We want to make sure our students have a place to call home while they are getting their education, which is why having a Military Affairs Office and Veterans Center is so important. Having that close connection after leaving the military is vital to their academic success.”

Active-duty members and veterans, along with their spouses, continue to make up a large part of Liberty’s student enrollment, with more than 40,000 military students enrolled in the university last year. Of those 40,000, 11,000 are active military, 12,000 are veterans, and more than 10,000 are spouses of active members or veterans.

In 2023, Liberty graduated 5,908 military students, 2,060 of which were in active service at the time of their graduation.

In November, Liberty celebrated its military community during Military Appreciation Month. Events included a 24-hour POW/MIA vigil on Nov. 9, a special military Convocation on Nov. 10, the running of the 15th Annual Valley View Maj. Mike Donahue 5-miler at Camp Hydaway, and several military-themed sporting events, including the annual Flames Football Military Appreciation game.

During halftime of the football game, David Stokes, a Lynchburg-area Vietnam Veteran, was recognized as this year’s The George Rogers Champion of Freedom Award winner. The award is presented annually to a man or woman who served in the United States Armed Forces and went above the call of duty, displaying extraordinary heroism while in the service and continuing to serve as an outstanding ambassador in their community. Stokes was celebrated this year for his service in the U.S. Army, in addition to his efforts in assisting Lynchburg-area veterans and military members in need.

Military Appreciation Month is just one way Liberty’s Military Affairs Office provides support to ensure that residential and online service members and their families are afforded the best Liberty experience possible.

“Liberty University has long been devoted to the success of our military and veteran students and their families,” Foutz said. “Our strong military-supportive culture and outstanding student veteran population are a big part of what makes Liberty who we are. We are called for a purpose larger than ourselves, for the Kingdom of God, and in support of our nation,” she added.

Liberty’s Veterans Center is located in the Montview Student Union and provides resources and support for service members, veterans, and military dependents.