UW Tacoma rises to highest position ever in Military Times ‘Best for Vets’ college rankings

The University of Washington Tacoma climbed to its highest position ever in Military Times’ “Best for Vets” college rankings, the largest and most comprehensive list of schools for veterans and military service members.

In the latest rankings released last month, UW Tacoma climbed 12 spots, up from No. 24 the previous year. The new rankings recognize the university as the best in Washington and the Pacific Northwest for supporting service members and their families.

"With so many of our students having ties to the military community, the University of Washington Tacoma is proud to provide tailored resources that support their success and help them achieve their goals," said UW Tacoma Chancellor Sheila Edwards Lange. "Our military-affiliated students bring life experiences and knowledge that enrich all aspects of our campus, and we are honored to have them as part of our Tacoma Huskies community."

At UW Tacoma, nearly 1 in 5 students (19%) are connected to the military as either student veterans, active-duty service members or family members of a service member. The campus offers year-round support and resources designed to help these students thrive, such as the Veteran and Military Resource Center (VMRC), the Student Veteran Organization and Peer Advisors for Veteran Education — a veteran-led peer support program that helps incoming student veterans navigate the transition to college life.

Regarded as a trusted, independent resource among the military community, Military Times evaluates several factors in developing its “Best for Vets” list, including student success, program credibility, graduate outcomes and transparency in how institutions report and support those using veterans and military education benefits.

"The Military Times' rankings are one of the most widely recognized measures of how well institutions serve military-connected students," said Juanita Murillo Garcia, director of the VMRC. "UW Tacoma's performance in this year's rankings is a significant jump and a reflection of a campus-wide effort to support our student veterans and military community.”

UW Tacoma is committed to helping military-connected students thrive. To learn more about programs and support services for student veterans, visit the Veteran and Military Resource Center (VMRC) at tacoma.uw.edu/veterans.