AU ranks No. 4 in Ohio in Military Times’ 2026 Best for Vets: Colleges rankings
ASHLAND, Ohio – Ashland University has earned a place in Military Times’ 2026 Best for Vets: Colleges rankings, including the No. 4 spot among Ohio institutions, providing another recognition of AU’s commitment to service members, veterans and military families.
The annual rankings, which were released ahead of Veterans Day, evaluate colleges and universities based on military-connected student success, financial assistance and dedicated support services. This year, 370 higher education institutions across all 50 states were recognized and ranked by Military Times.
Military Times broke down its rankings in several categories, with AU placing No. 4 in Ohio, No. 9 in the Midwest, No. 13 in private not-for-profit, No. 60 in traditional, No. 77 in general education and No. 88 overall.
“Being selected for Military Times’ 2026 Best for Vets: Colleges rankings is further confirmation that the work being done across Ashland University to guide and support our military-connected students is making a difference,” said Mason Feeman, assistant director of Military Family & Veteran Services. “On this Veterans Day and every day, we are committed to helping those who have worn the uniform, along with the families who serve alongside them, achieve their educational and career goals.”
AU was also named a 2026 Top Veteran School by U.S. Veterans Magazine, and earlier this year, received the Seven Seals Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense program, for its support of National Guard and Reserve members.
The Military Times website features a detailed page of each honoree, including information on each college/university’s ROTC programs, career support, VA work study, Yellow Ribbon program and more. AU’s page is available here.
“The military-connected student today looks different than many people imagine,” said Jon Simkins, editor-in-chief of Military Times. “It’s a veteran starting a second career, a Guard member balancing drill weekends with classes, a spouse finishing a degree between moves. The schools on this year’s list understand that, and they’re building support around the real lives of the people they serve. That’s exactly what we want our readers to know when they’re choosing where to invest their educational benefits.”
Military Times, part of the Sightline Media Group (formerly Army Times Publishing Company), produces Its Best for Vets: Colleges rankings to help service members, veterans and their families identify institutions that best serve military-connected students throughout their educational journeys, from enrollment to graduation day.