For the fifth consecutive year, UW-Stout Polytechnic has earned a spot among the upper ranks of the 2026 Best for Vets Colleges list by Military Times for its high level of services for veterans, active military members and their families.
UW-Stout Polytechnic ranked No. 1 in Wisconsin among traditional and online universities and placed 34th in the Midwest on the list, which was announced Nov. 9 by Military Times.
“UW-Stout Polytechnic’s Best for Vets ranking demonstrates our continued appeal to veterans and other military-affiliated students. Many of the degrees and programs we offer closely parallel military jobs and experiences,” said retired Army Lt. Col. Brian Hackner, the university’s military education benefits coordinator who oversees Veteran Services.
The Veteran Services office helps veterans access federal and state military education benefits, from the GI Bill® and Department of Defense tuition assistance to Wisconsin National Guard tuition grants. UW-Stout Polytechnic’s reputation among service members continues to grow, with the number of students using military benefits growing from 374 in fall 2025 to 413 this semester, Hackner added.
The Best for Vets rankings are compiled by Virginia-based Military Times, a source of independent news and information for service members and their families. The publication calls the list “the largest and most comprehensive ranking of the best schools for military service members and veterans.”
Rankings are based on data from the federal government as well as surveys of schools’ policies, programs and outcomes. Measurements of student success play the largest role in determining the rankings, followed by military-specific resources offered and levels of financial assistance to students.
University earns Military Friendly designation
The Best for Vets ranking is not an isolated honor for UW-Stout Polytechnic: The university has repeatedly been ranked highly for the quality of its services to veterans, active members of the military and their families. Last spring, the university received a gold designation as a Military Friendly® School for 2026-27 and was also designated a Military Spouse Friendly School for its commitment, effort and success in creating and sustaining benefits for the military community. It was the 17th consecutive year that UW-Stout Polytechnic earned a place on that list, ranking it among only three Wisconsin institutions to rank as a Military Friendly® small public university. The Military Friendly® rankings are published by G.I. Jobs Magazine.
UW-Stout Polytechnic has also been ranked among the Best Colleges for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report.
The university’s most recent First Destination Report, released last spring, reported that 100% of veteran graduates were employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation.
Ongoing support for veterans
UW-Stout Polytechnic’s Military and Veteran Resource Center (MVRC) is dedicated to supporting veterans, service members and their families through a wide range of resources, programs and opportunities. The MVRC provides a welcoming space for military-affiliated students and their families to connect, hold meetings or study sessions, and relax with complimentary snacks and refreshments.
Special programs include the Council on Veteran Services, the student Veterans Club, veteran-focused events and the Veteran Mentorship Program, a unique peer-to-peer online initiative designed specifically for student veterans.
UW-Stout also offers a variety of academic opportunities tailored to military-connected students:
- Military Benefits 101, an online course for first-year and transfer students, provides an overview of military education benefits, support resources and services.
- A minor in military leadership, which introduces students to the fundamentals of military science and leadership principles.
- Degree opportunities that align with many military occupations and experiences.
- Online certificates in areas such as organizational development, strategic leadership and workforce development, all designed to align with the interests and career goals of military-connected students.
In addition, Career Services supports veteran students in the biannual UW-Stout Career Fair by connecting students with employers who value their military experience and providing guidance on employment challenges and resources. All military-connected students are encouraged to participate.
Leaders in the making: Army, Air Force ROTC cadets earn degrees while completing training
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UW-Stout Polytechnic offers both Army and Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps opportunities as well, which help student cadets develop the leadership, managerial, organizational and effective communication skills needed to succeed.
Army ROTC Northwoods Battalion students learn leadership theory, time management skills, basic soldier skills, map reading and other skills from experienced Army leaders. UW-Stout Polytechnic also has a long-standing agreement with the Air Force ROTC program at University of St. Thomas, Detachment 410, in St. Paul — a unique agreement among Wisconsin universities.
This “cross-town” agreement allows UW-Stout Polytechnic students to enroll in Air Force ROTC classes while completing their degrees at Stout. Courses at St. Thomas include aerospace studies, leadership labs, physical training and field training.
