The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs at Syracuse University is excited to celebrate the recent accomplishments by the College of Professional Studies. The U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Online Programs ranked the College of Professional Studies at Syracuse University in third place among private schools, and thirteenth place overall, for the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans.

The College of Professional Studies made a remarkable leap over the competition this year, climbing 37 positions higher than last year’s placement of 40th on the same list. The annual rankings from U.S. News & World Report are held in high regard within higher education, and this accomplishment is, so far, the highest-ranking Syracuse University has earned in the history of its online undergraduate programs.

“Our rapid movement through the US News rankings is a direct result of Syracuse University’s commitment to quality, rigor, high-touch student support, and distinctive excellence in online education,” says Michael Frasciello, dean of the College of Professional Studies and a U.S. Air Force veteran. “While the rankings are a confirmation of our excellence, the more important measures are found in the data – in the dramatically expanded access we are creating to Syracuse University; in the dramatically increasing numbers of military-connected students we are serving.”

Frasciello says that there is a direct correlation to the increasing numbers of diverse students, including military-connected students, who are transforming their lives through the College of Professional Studies online programs.

One area the College of Professional Studies excels against their peers is through the online programs offered to those still serving in the military. Servicemembers using federal or state military tuition assistance may be eligible to have 100% of their tuition covered. The college caps the rate for current-serving students at $250 per credit hour, and eligible students are able to take up to 24 semester hours per fiscal year, a $6,000 benefit.

All of the military branches offer some form of tuition assistance. While procedures for using the benefit may vary from branch to branch, they all offer similar financial support. Every branch will cover 100% of tuition and fees capped at $250 per semester hour, or $166 per quarter hour. The U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard both have a different cap per fiscal year, with the U.S. Army offering up to $4,000 per year and the U.S. Coast Guard offering up to $3,750.

The average cost of tuition throughout the country is approximately $448 per credit hour at most public, four-year schools, and $1,586 per credit hour at private universities. The difference between the highest tuition assistance a servicemember can receive and how much they would have to pay is often a barrier, especially when it comes to those highly sought-after colleges.

Syracuse University is the only R1 private university in the Northeast offering online and residential part-time undergraduate studies to active-duty military, guard and reservists at their respective tuition assistance rate. The university currently offers 10 online undergraduate degrees, and eight online undergraduate certificates.

In line with the university’s initiative to be the, “Best Place for Veterans,” the College of Professional Studies has successfully removed the financial barrier. In addition to gaining access to the quality educational programs offered through the College of Professional Studies, those military-connected students who matriculate through the online programs will earn a degree with considerable name recognition, and become a member of a robust alumni network.  

For more information on the available degree paths offered through the College of Professional studies, visit their website for military-connected students.