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Rhode Island College tops our 2026 ranking of the best colleges for veterans in New England. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 84.9 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 100.0.
by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re a veteran, service member, or military-affiliated student looking for a college that has your back, you’ve come to the right place. This list highlights 261 colleges that stand out for serving veterans in New England, using our 2026 methodology.
We measure this ranking on the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits, academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community. To help you decide, College Factual analyzed 261 colleges, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Your ideal fit depends on your goals and benefits. Drill down by location, or explore our other rankings below.
Want to compare schools head to head? We built a tool called College Combat to build custom comparisons using the factors most important to you.
Here are the top-ranked colleges for veterans:
Rhode Island College tops our 2026 ranking of the best colleges for veterans in New England. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 84.9 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 100.0.
University of Connecticut came in at #2 on this year's Best Colleges for Veterans ranking in New England. It scores 84.3 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
Out of the 261 colleges in New England in this year's ranking, Southern Connecticut State University landed the #3 spot. It scores 82.1 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
A rank of #4 makes Fitchburg State University one of the best colleges for veterans in New England. Fitchburg State University scores 80.6 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
A rank of #5 makes Connecticut State Community College one of the best colleges for veterans in New England. Connecticut State Community College scores 80.5 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
Sacred Heart University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. The school's overall veterans score is 79.4 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 56.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
University of Connecticut-Stamford earned the #7 position in New England. It scores 79.2 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
University of Connecticut-Avery Point ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 79.0 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
Plymouth State University earned the #9 position in New England. The school's overall veterans score is 78.8 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus earned the #10 position in New England. It scores 78.7 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
Central Connecticut State University landed the #11 spot in New England this year. The school's overall veterans score is 78.4 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
Bridgewater State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 78.2 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
Goodwin University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 77.8 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
University of Vermont landed the #14 spot in New England this year. It scores 77.7 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology landed the #15 spot in New England this year. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 77.7 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 45.1, and veteran resources 66.7.
Westfield State University landed the #16 spot in New England this year. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 77.6 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
Maine Maritime Academy earned the #17 position in New England. The school's overall veterans score is 77.2 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3.
Boston College landed the #18 spot in New England this year. The school's overall veterans score is 77.2 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 40.1, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
Wentworth Institute of Technology earned the #19 position in New England. It scores 76.6 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability scores 66.1, and veteran resources 66.7.
University of Rhode Island ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. It scores 76.5 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
Salem State University landed the #21 spot in New England this year. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 76.4 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
Eastern Connecticut State University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Eastern Connecticut State University scores 76.3 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-resources score.
Community College of Rhode Island landed the #23 spot in New England this year. The school's overall veterans score is 75.9 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. University of New Hampshire-Main Campus scores 75.8 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
University of New Haven landed the #25 spot in New England this year. University of New Haven scores 75.6 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On affordability for veterans it scores 59.3, and veteran resources 66.7.
Not far behind, these colleges also rank among the best for veterans this year:
These colleges also rank near the top for veterans this year:
| Rank | College | Veterans Score |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Unity Environmental University | 69.9 |
| 52 | Southern New Hampshire University | 69.8 |
| 53 | Berklee College of Music | 69.7 |
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
Our ranking weighs the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits, academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
