Middle Tennessee State University’s veterans’ program is basking in the limelight of another appearance in the Military Times Best: Colleges 2018 ranking announced Nov. 20 by the Vienna, Virginia-based Military Times.

The honor marks the sixth straight time MTSU has made the ranking, formerly known as “Best for Vets,” and the first time the university has cracked the top 50 with its rank of 49th out of 140 four-year schools this year.

The rankings factor the results of Military Times’ annual survey, the most comprehensive school-by-school assessment of veteran and military student services and rates of academic achievement, the media organization said in releasing the rankings for the eighth year.

Dr. Hilary Miller

More than 600 colleges took part in the detailed survey for 2018.

“MTSU has long been focused on providing veterans, currently serving military and military family members with a high-quality educational experience,” said Dr. Hilary Miller, director of the MTSU Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center.

“The transition into the university, academic achievement and career attainment of military-connected students is of the utmost importance, and MTSU has continually made support available to ensure that success is a reality. The Daniels Center is a national resource that stands ready to help all.”

George Altman, Military Times editor in charge of the rankings, said of the hundreds of schools that applied, fewer than half received the designation for 2018.

“Only the best made the cut,” Altman said. “For the past eight years, we’ve seen colleges and universities consistently increasing their resources, revising their policies and improving their academic outcomes for military and veteran students. The rankings showcase the very best of these efforts.”

MTSU student veteran Kevin Hicks, left, and Daniels Veterans Center staff member Sean Martin review a copy of an amended bill passed by members of the Tennessee State Senate to eliminate out-of-state tuition for vets and others who are eligible and living in the state. (MTSU file photo by J. Intintoli)

Military Times’ Best Colleges survey asks colleges and universities to “meticulously document a tremendous array of services, special rules, accommodations and financial incentives offered to students with military ties,” said Christine Aquino of Military Times, whose digital platforms and newsweeklies provide independent news and information for service members and their families.

MTSU leaped to 49th on the 2018 list after ranking 75th out of 130 four-year schools selected in 2017. It ranked 65th out of 125 schools in 2016 and 94th out of 100 in 2015. MTSU received two four-star ratings by Military Times.

D’Youville College, a private school in Buffalo, New York, ranked No. 1 overall this year. The University of South Florida was second overall and the top public school. The other Tennessee school making the list was the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, which was selected 114th overall.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)