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Home ― News ― Dakota State receives Military Times Best distinction

Dakota State receives Military Times Best distinction

November 21, 2017

The Military Times has named Dakota State University one of the best colleges in the nation for military members or veterans. This is the first year DSU has been included on the Military Times’ list.

Formerly called Best for Vets, the Military Times Best: Colleges 2018 rankings recognized schools “for their commitment to providing quality educational opportunities to America's veterans and military-connected students.” More than 600 colleges took part in this year’s detailed survey. Among the 140 four-year schools, DSU ranked #32.

"Of the hundreds of schools that applied, fewer than half received the Military Times Best: Colleges designation this year. Only the best made the cut," said George Altman, the editor in charge of rankings at The Military Times.

"For the past eight years, we've seen colleges and universities consistently increasing their resources, revising their policies and improving their academic outcomes for military and veteran students. The Military Times Best: Colleges rankings showcase the very best of these efforts," Altman stated.

“Many of our strong academic programs appeal to members of the military or veterans, and Dakota State has a long history of supporting these servicemen and women,” said Dr. José-Marie Griffiths, DSU president. “We are honored that the Military Times has noted this commitment.”

Austin Slaughter, veterans affairs coordinator at DSU, credited the school’s high ranking to the work which has taken place over the years. “Numerous people on campus have worked to improve what DSU has to offer military students.” Slaughter is also a member of the South Dakota Army National Guard.

Some of DSU’s efforts have been in regard to academics, such as working on articulation agreements which help military members receive academic credit for military training. Other efforts have been intended to create a supportive atmosphere for veterans; earlier this spring DSU held a special early graduation ceremony for a military student was to deploy just before his graduation.

Best Colleges 2018 is an editorially independent news project that evaluates the many factors that help make colleges and universities a good fit for service members, military veterans and their families. Schools are surveyed regarding their array of services, special rules, accommodations and financial incentives offered to students with military ties; and to describe many aspects of veteran culture on a campus. Military Times also factors in data from the Veterans Affairs and Defense departments, as well as three Education Department sources: the IPEDS Data Center, College Scorecard data and the Cohort Default Rate Database.

For the full ranking list, go to https://www.militarytimes.com/education-transition/rankings/2017/11/20/218-schools-make-military-times-best-colleges-2018-rankings/.