15 Military Friendly Colleges in New York

1Syracuse University
700 University Ave | Syracuse, NY 13244

Syracuse University’s University College serves as the primary gateway for part-time students seeking access to Syracuse University. Whether your aim is to pursue a degree, certificate, or credential from any of SU’s esteemed schools and colleges, your journey begins here. The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) stands out as an invaluable resource, serving as the singular point of entry for all veteran and military-related programs.

University College actively participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, extending substantial financial support. Undergraduates can receive up to $17,389 annually, with an unlimited number of students eligible. Graduate students are not left behind, with an unlimited number qualifying for up to $14,495 per year.

Veterans at Syracuse University are granted eligibility for the transfer credit of military training. Impressively, full-time students utilizing military benefits boast a perfect 100% retention rate, while part-time students maintain a robust 50% retention rate.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $31,662
Grad: $20,669

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 229
Grad: 443

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 100%
Part Time: 50%

2 Columbia University in the City of New York
W 116 St and Broadway | New York, NY 10027

For over 70 years, Columbia University in the City of New York’s School of General Studies has been dedicated to educating veterans, fostering multiple veteran student groups across diverse schools and divisions within the university.

Columbia University actively participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, ensuring unlimited undergraduates at the School of General Studies receive substantial annual contributions. Additionally, varying contributions are available per year for select graduate students, depending on the school or division they belong to.

Eligibility for transfer credit of military training is extended to veterans at Columbia University. Notably, full-time students utilizing military benefits showcase a commendable 81% retention rate, while part-time students maintain a solid 50% rate.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $25,075
Grad: $22,792

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 228
Grad: 204

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 81%
Part Time: 50%

3New York University
70 Washington Square South | New York, NY 10012

New York University (NYU) helps veterans pursue their academic and personal goals, explore learning experiences, and be involved in campus life. The school has an NYU chapter of Student Veterans of America (SVA). Plus, it has several other military and veteran student groups.

NYU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program by offering an unlimited number of undergrad students up to $10,000 each, per year. A varying number of graduate and doctoral students could also get contributions.

Veterans may be eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 94%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $23,145
Grad: $21,847

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 173
Grad: 280

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 94%
Part Time: N/A

4Pace University
One Pace Plaza | New York, NY 10038

Pace University recognizes the commitment veterans have demonstrated to our country. So, the school helps veterans, active duty, and reserve service members in advancing their careers through higher ed. The Pace Student Veteran Association (SVA) is a chapter to the national Student Veterans of America organization.

Pace participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It gives an unlimited number of undergrad, graduate, and doctoral students an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 94%, while the rate for part time students is 67%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $34,314
Grad: $20,544

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 141
Grad: 86

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 94%
Part Time: 67%

5Fordham University
113 W. 60th St | New York, NY 10023

Fordham University is the last military friendly college in New York on our list. The school is one of only five universities in NY state included in the “Keys to Veterans Success” listing. This listing is put out by the United States Department of Education. The school’s Edge4Vets program is a unique program that helps veterans transition to college and beyond.

Fordham participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program by offering an unlimited number of undergrad students up to $20,000 each, per year. And, it gives varying amounts to grad and doctoral students. Numbers depend on the school or division.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 91%. And, the rate for part time students is 75%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $26,511
Grad: $28,886

# of Students

Undergrad: 163
Grad: 113

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 91%
Part Time: 75%

6Berkeley College-New York
3 East 43 St | New York, NY 10017

Berkeley College New York has a long tradition of commitment to veterans and military students. The Veterans Resource Center provides a place for veterans and family members to get information about their VA benefits. While there, they can also network with other veterans.

Berkeley participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers an unlimited number of undergrad students an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 95%. And, the rate for part time students is 100%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $16,796
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 147
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 95%
Part Time: 100%

7 St John’s University-New York
8000 Utopia Parkway | Queen, NY 11439

St John’s University Queens recognizes the sacrifice and courage of the nation’s military veterans. The school’s Veterans Success Center (VSC) helps student veterans transition to college life. It offers networking opportunities, resources, community service, and advocacy.

St John’s participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It gives an unlimited number of students up to $30,000 each, per year. And, an unlimited number of students at the School of Law get up to $50,000 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 92%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $23,310
Grad: $18,718

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 92
Grad: 73

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 8492%
Part Time: 59%

8Long Island University
1 University Plaza | Brooklyn, NY 11201

Long Island University Brooklyn has a proud and distinguished history of serving the nation’s military veterans and active duty service members.

LIU Brooklyn participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers an unlimited number of undergrad students up to $7,500 each, per year. An unlimited number of grad students get up to $5,000 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 50%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $19,823
Grad: $14,481

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 74
Grad: 30

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 50%
Part Time: N/A

9Mercy College
555 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, New York 10522

Mercy College is an accredited, four year college. It has 5 schools and over 100 degrees and certificates in a range of majors. The college also offers courses designed with armed force members and military veterans in mind. Including corporate and homeland security, cyber security, business, nursing and beyond.

As a military learner at Mercy College, you could expect to find several services and resources. Professional mentors, flexible study options and advisors to help you make use of your education benefits.

Mercy College is also a Yellow Ribbon School.  Another noteworthy praise is the designation, “Best of the Best” Top Veteran-Friendly Schools for U.S. Veteran’s Magazine.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $15,609
Grad: $11,380

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 99
Grad: 35

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 69%
Part Time: 100%

10Apex Technical School
24-02 Queens Plaza South, Long Island City, New York 11101

Apex is licensed by the New York State Education Department. The school offers a range of trade programs. So, it’s a place you could study welding, AC, auto body repair, plumbing, construction and others.

To offset the cost of any of these programs, you might apply for federal student aid or eligible VA benefits. VA Benefits are available to most military veterans depending on their service and their participation in VA Education programs. 

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $7,770
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 158
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 79%
Part Time: 100%

11CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
524 W 59th St, New York, New York 10019

John Jay College of Criminal Justice has been around since the mid-1950s. The school’s namesake, John Jay, was the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court and one of the founding fathers of the United States. Jay was also a native of New York City and served as governor of New York State.

Apart from veteran focused programs, the school offers services and resources. These are available for military veterans, active duty service members, reservists, guardsmen, officer candidates, and their family members.

Military and Veteran Services at John Jay is on site and provides student veterans personal support. That includes a Retired Navy chaplain Military and Veteran Services Manager who is there to provide veterans personal support, guidance, and mentoring. You could also expect help from staff and faculty throughout the college.

Other military friendly features include a student-led John Jay Veterans Association. There is also a dedicated Veterans’ Center spaces, and SALUTE veteran honor society chapter.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $5,312
Grad: $6,499

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 266
Grad: 69

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 71%
Part Time: 100%

12Monroe College
2501 Jerome Ave | Bronx, NY 10468

Monroe College has one of the largest veteran populations in the New York Metropolitan area. It has a a staff of Military Benefit Specialists, Veterans Admissions Counselors and a Director of Military Affairs that oversees the school’s Office of Veterans Affairs. Plus, Monroe waives the entrance fee for veterans accepted into the school.

Monroe participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program by offering 300 undergrad students an unlimited max contribution per year. 25 graduate students could get an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 86%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $14,799
Grad: $14,959

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 69
Grad: 23

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 86%
Part Time: N/A

13CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College

199 Chambers St, New York, New York 10007

CUNY BMCC is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that brings together the culture of Tribeca, the energy of Wall Street ad the backdrop of the Statue of Liberty. Here you could pursue an associate degree in a range of academic majors. The school also offers certificate programs and a micro credential in cyber security.

BMCC was also designated a Military Friendly School. As a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (or the child of a veteran), you may be eligible for veterans’ educational benefits to help you pay for one of these programs. There is also flexible scheduling which means you could attend classes during the day, evening or online.

While on campus, you could check out the Veterans Resource Center (VRC). It offers advice about financial aid, college credit for military service, tutorials and work study programs. You could also learn how to obtain a fee waiver if an undergraduate veteran, on active duty or member of the National Guard,

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $3,418
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 248
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 84%
Part Time: 33%

14Utica College

1600 Burrstone Rd, Utica, New York 13502-4892

Utica college is a private institution founded in 1946 and located in the heart of central New York. It came into being to offer options for college study to veterans coming home from WWII.

Since that time, the college continues to be supportive to military learners. There are undergraduate and graduate degrees, along with many flexible online programs.

To offset costs at UC, you could learn how to use your VA education benefits. The college also offers a 10% tuition discount for online students and spouses of Active Duty, Reserve, and Guard members. As a Yellow Ribbon School, you could also receive extra funds without an additional charge to your GI Bill entitlement.

UC also has an Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program. It is a detachment of Syracuse University’s Stalwart Battalion, 2nd ROTC Brigade. 

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $12,155
Grad: $7,761

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 126
Grad: 96

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 40%
Part Time: 100%