UF Online named No. 1 for military service members by Forbes

The University of Florida has been ranked by Forbes Advisor as the country’s best military-friendly online college of 2024.  

“The University of Florida is honored to serve the men and women who serve our nation,” UF Board of Trustees Chair Mori Hosseini said. “We are proud that Forbes has named us the No. 1 online college for military service members. We are committed to offering our students an elite and practical education that meets their needs and prepares them for future success.”  

UF Online consistently ranks among the top online programs in the nation for military-affiliated students. This spring, U.S. News and World Report ranked UF Online as the top Online Bachelor’s Program for veterans for the second year in a row.  

“Gator Nation takes great pride in supporting our nation's service members," UF President Ben Sasse said. "We are dedicated to offering a world-class education that meets our students’ unique needs and equips them for a changing economy.”  

To arrive at its rankings, Forbes Advisor scored 3,836 accredited, nonprofit colleges offering online bachelor’s degree programs using 25 data points in the categories of student outcomes, affordability, student experience, credibility, and the application process. The 10 best schools on the list received a curved final score of 95% or higher.

“This recognition reflects the commitment and resources devoted to making UF Online's affordable online bachelor's programs accessible to service members worldwide,” Senior Associate Provost Brian Harfe said.

UF Online's commitment to current and former members of the U.S. armed services extends beyond rankings. With 28 fully online bachelor’s degrees and dedicated support services such as the UF Collegiate Veterans Success Center and the Office of Student Veteran Success, UF Online ensures that military-affiliated students have the resources they need to excel academically. The university also champions affordability for military students by participating in tuition- and fee-assistance opportunities such as the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon programs.

As a leader in providing flexible, online learning options for military students, UF Online spearheaded a groundbreaking virtual education gathering for military-affiliated students in November. The collaborative event included institutions from the State University System of Florida as well as education specialists from the Army National Guard, Veterans Affairs, and the Navy, offering crucial information on financial aid, academic success strategies, and educational benefits.

UF Online currently supports over 4,000 students who learn and engage from 50 states and 24 countries around the world. More than 6,000 Gators have graduated from the university’s online programs with a bachelor’s degree since 2014.