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2023 Best Community Organization & Advocacy Colleges for Veterans in the Great Lakes Region

13 Ranked Colleges
566 Degrees Awarded
$28,100 Avg Cost*
Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Community Organization

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for veterans. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Community Organization” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Community Organization & Advocacy is the 227th most popular major in the country with 3,096 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 566 community organization and advocacy graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Community Organization” ranking, we looked at 13 colleges that offer a degree in community organization and advocacy. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great community organization and advocacy programs and a strong support system for veterans and active service members.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the community organization and advocacy program at the school, veteran affordability, and veteran population. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The community organization school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Community Organization”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Community Organization

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Community Organization”.

Top 13 Best Community Organization & Advocacy Colleges for Veterans in the Great Lakes Region

1

Out of the 13 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Community Organization that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #1 spot on the list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s community organization degrees to 45 students in 2020-2021.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 47,907 students enrolled at U-M, 570 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 325 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $27,058. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full U-M Veteran Student Life Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #2 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Community Organization. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified ’s community organization students in 2020-2021.

UIUC also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Among the 52,679 students enrolled at UIUC, 10 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 0 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $0. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

[Read full report on veteran student life at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign]](/colleges/university-of-illinois-at-urbana-champaign/student-life/veterans/)

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Community Organization list. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 73 ’s community organization degrees in 2020-2021.

IUPUI also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 29,390 students enrolled at IUPUI, 1 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 1 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $5,439. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

[Read full report on veteran student life at IUPUI]](/colleges/indiana-university-purdue-university-indianapolis/student-life/veterans/)

4
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central Michigan University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Community Organization list. Central Michigan is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 155 ’s community organization degrees in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 1 of the 17,311 students enrolled at Central Michigan were GI Bill® students, of which 1 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $425. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Central Michigan Veteran Student Life Report

5
Aurora crest
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Aurora University. The school came in at #5 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Community Organization. Located in Aurora, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified ’s community organization students in 2020-2021.

Aurora not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, Aurora University supports 6,265 students, and 3 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 1 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,999. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read More…

6

With a ranking of #6, Western Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Community Organization list. Western Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Macomb, Illinois. It awarded 7 ’s community organization degrees in 2020-2021.

WIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 330 of the 7,490 students enrolled at Western Illinois University were GI Bill® students, of which 62 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,652. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Western Illinois University]](/colleges/western-illinois-university/student-life/veterans/)

7
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Community Organization ranking. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 109 ’s community organization degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwestern also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 22,603 students enrolled at Northwestern University, 1 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 1 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $399. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Northwestern]](/colleges/northwestern-university/student-life/veterans/)

8

Cleveland State University ranked #8 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Community Organization list. Cleveland State University is a fairly large school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 17 ’s community organization degrees in 2020-2021.

Cleveland State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 15,247 students enrolled at Cleveland State University, 411 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 169 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,076. During this same period, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Cleveland State University]](/colleges/cleveland-state-university/student-life/veterans/)

9

Youngstown State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Community Organization ranking. This fairly large school is located in Youngstown, Ohio, and it awarded 1 ’s community organization degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Youngstown State University, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Youngstown State University supports 11,835 students, and 327 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 130 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $4,697. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full Youngstown State University Veteran Student Life Report

10

University of Michigan - Dearborn did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Community Organization ranking, coming in at #10. University of Michigan - Dearborn is a public institution located in Dearborn, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UM Dearborn also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].According to our most recent data, University of Michigan - Dearborn supports 8,783 students, and 159 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 111 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $9,134. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. University of Michigan - Dearborn does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UM Dearborn Veteran Student Life Report

11
Madonna crest
Madonna University
Livonia, Michigan

Madonna University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Community Organization ranking. Madonna University is located in Livonia, Michigan and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s community organization degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Madonna, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 66 of the 2,792 students enrolled at Madonna University were GI Bill® students, of which 31 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $13,452. To help with additional expenses, 8 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Madonna]](/colleges/madonna-university/student-life/veterans/)

12
Siena Heights University crest
Siena Heights University
Adrian, Michigan

Siena Heights University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Community Organization ranking. Located in Adrian, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 36 degrees to qualified ’s community organization students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Siena Heights University, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 2,036 students enrolled at Siena Heights University, 74 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 38 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,992. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Full Siena Heights University Veteran Student Life Report

13
Aquinas College Michigan crest
Aquinas College Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Aquinas College Michigan came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Great Lakes Region for Community Organization ranking. Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified ’s community organization students in 2020-2021.

Aquinas College Michigan also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Our most recent data shows that 13 of the 1,517 students enrolled at Aquinas College Michigan were GI Bill® students, of which 7 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,944. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read More…

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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