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. We have ranked 422 colleges for veteran and military-affiliated students in Plains States, 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 arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 422 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.
Looking to pit your favorite colleges against each other? Check out College Combat to build custom comparisons using the factors most important to you.
Here are the top-ranked colleges for veterans:
Missouri University of Science and Technology tops our 2026 ranking of the best colleges for veterans in Plains States. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 91.1 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
A rank of #2 makes Webster University one of the best colleges for veterans in Plains States. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 88.0 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 88.2, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
Veteran and military students will find strong support at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, which ranked #3 this year. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 86.5 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
A rank of #4 makes Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health one of the best colleges for veterans in Plains States. Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health scores 86.2 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln earned the #5 place in Plains States. University of Nebraska-Lincoln scores 85.6 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities scores 84.8 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
Winona State University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. The school's overall veterans score is 84.5 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
University of Nebraska at Omaha earned the #8 position in Plains States. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 83.5 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 100.0.
University of Northern Iowa came in at #9 in this year's ranking. The school's overall veterans score is 82.2 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
University of South Dakota ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 82.2 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
Bellevue University landed the #11 spot in Plains States this year. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 82.1 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 100.0.
Iowa State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. 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.
University of Minnesota-Duluth ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. It scores 81.9 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, and veteran resources 33.3.
Dakota State University placed #14 among the best colleges for veterans in Plains States. It scores 81.8 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
Minnesota State University-Mankato earned the #15 position in Plains States. It scores 81.1 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
University of Iowa ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 81.1 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
Minnesota State University Moorhead earned the #17 position in Plains States. Minnesota State University Moorhead scores 80.8 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. It scores 80.2 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
University of Missouri-St Louis ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 80.1 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
University of Missouri-Columbia earned the #20 position in Plains States. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 79.9 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
Hennepin Technical College landed the #21 spot in Plains States this year. The school's overall veterans score is 79.7 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
Park University earned the #22 position in Plains States. Park University scores 79.6 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
University of Minnesota-Crookston earned the #23 position in Plains States. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 79.0 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
University of Kansas ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 79.0 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
Johnson County Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. Johnson County Community College scores 78.8 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
These colleges also placed near the top this year:
Click any college name below to learn more:
| Rank | College | Veterans Score |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | St Charles Community College | 74.8 |
| 52 | Central Lakes College-Brainerd | 74.7 |
| 53 | South Dakota State University | 74.7 |
| 54 | Century College | 74.7 |
| 55 | Northwest Missouri State University | 74.6 |
| 56 | Southwest Minnesota State University | 74.6 |
| 57 | Anoka-Ramsey Community College | 74.4 |
| 58 | Metropolitan Community College Area | 74.3 |
| 59 | Kirkwood Community College | 74.2 |
| 60 | Bethel University | 74.1 |
| 61 | Lindenwood University | 74.0 |
| 62 | Hamline University | 74.0 |
| 63 | Dunwoody College of Technology | 73.8 |
| 64 | Allen College | 73.8 |
These colleges also rank near the top for veterans this year:
| Rank | College | Veterans Score |
|---|---|---|
| 65 | Westminster College | 73.6 |
| 66 | Upper Iowa University | 73.5 |
| 67 | Chamberlain University-Missouri | 73.5 |
| 68 | Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology | 73.3 |
| 69 | Emporia State University | 73.0 |
| 70 | Ranken Technical College | 73.0 |
| 71 | State Technical College of Missouri | 72.9 |
| 72 | Northwest Technical College | 72.9 |
| 73 | Columbia College | 72.8 |
| 74 | North Hennepin Community College | 72.7 |
| 75 | North Dakota State University-Main Campus | 72.6 |
| 76 | University of Mary | 72.5 |
| 77 | Minnesota North College | 72.5 |
| 78 | Mercy College of Health Sciences | 72.4 |
| 79 | Maharishi International University | 72.4 |
| Rank | College | Veterans Score |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | Southeast Community College Area | 72.3 |
| 81 | Pittsburg State University | 72.3 |
| 82 | Valley City State University | 72.1 |
| 83 | Baker University | 72.0 |
| 84 | University of St Thomas | 72.0 |
| 85 | Eastern Iowa Community College District | 72.0 |
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This ranking is based 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.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.
