Links in this article are preserved for historical purposes, but the destination sources may have changed.

Friday, August 16, 2013

The University of Iowa has been recognized as a top college in Iowa for students interested in military service.

The College Database has released its list of top colleges for future service members in Iowa. The website set out to find the post-secondary institutions in Iowa that were both affordable—with an annual tuition of less than $20,000 and that offered at least two ROTC programs —Army, Navy, or Air Force.

The UI ranks second in the state of Iowa with an affordable $6,436 annual tuition rate, and ROTC programs for Army and Air Force.

“Everyone talks about service members using their GI Bill to go back to school, but rarely do people discuss current students using college to join the service,” says Wes Ricketts, vice president and general manager of The College Database. “Colleges with ROTC programs give students a great opportunity, not only to explore military service, but to gain valuable leadership skills coveted by employers.”

The College Database used the following methodology to identify the top Iowa colleges for service members:

  • At least two ROTC programs (Army, Navy, and/or Air Force)
  • In-state tuition less than $20,000 per year
  • 4-year, degree-granting institutions
  • Private, for-profit colleges excluded

The College Database is a not-for-profit organization whose goal is to provide free information about educational options both nationally and locally to students, parents, and other interested parties. This goal is accomplished by making all information and tools on the site free and easy to access.

The UI has an estimated 100 ROTC Army students and 70 ROTC Air Force students, including incoming freshmen this fall. There are also an estimated 518 UI student veterans on campus.

The UI has also made Victory Media's list of Military Friendly Schools for four consecutive years.

For more information, contact Military and Veteran Educational Specialist Allen Roberts in the Center for Diversity and Enrichment in the UI Chief Diversity Office, at 319-384-2613.