15 Military Friendly Colleges in Ohio

1Ohio State University-Main Campus
190 N. Oval Mall | Columbus, OH 43210

Ohio State University (OSU) Main Campus is the first military friendly school in Ohio on our list. It has over 1,200 students who get GI Bill benefits. ​

OSU Main Campus participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program by offering 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 88%. And, the rate for part time students is 42%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $10,137
Grad: $23,950

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 686
Grad: 113

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 88%
Part Time: 42%

2 University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
2624 Clifton Ave | Cincinnati, OH 48221

University of Cincinnati (UC) Main Campus has proudly served the nation’s heroes since it began in 1819. The Office of Veterans Programs & Services ensures all military connected students have a seamless transition from the Armed Forces to college. UC is home to the Ohio Beta of Omega Delta Sigma, a national co-ed veteran fraternity.

UC participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 25 undergrad students up to $7,892 each, per year. 15 grad students get up to $6,045 each, per year. 5 doctoral students at the College of Law get up to $9,192 each, per year. Another 5 doctoral students at the College of Medicine get up to $9,309 each, per year. Finally, 5 doctoral students at the College of Pharmacy get up to $6,338 each, per year.

Veterans may be eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 87%, while the rate for part time students is 93%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $7,991
Grad: $10,036

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 358
Grad: 160

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 87%
Part Time: 93%

3Xavier University
3800 Victory Parkway | Cincinnati, OH 45207

Xavier University has been serving veterans since 1831. The Student Veterans Center has many resources on site, for both Veterans and military family members. These include financial aid and planning, academic advising, and career counseling.

Xavier participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program by offering an unlimited number of undergrad and grad 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 85%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $8,960
Grad: $6,694

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 92
Grad: 30

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 85%
Part Time: N/A

4Wright State University-Main Campus
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy | Dayton, OH 45435

Wright State University Main Campus supports veteran and military connected students in reaching their goals. The Veteran and Military Center (VMC) is available to U.S. Armed Services veteran or military connected students. It provides seating for up to 50 students at a time. And, you could join the Wright State Veterans League. This student organization serves as the voice for student veterans to the university. 

Wright State participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program by offering an unlimited number of 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 67%. For part time students, the rate is 54%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $7,215
Grad: $11,316

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 278
Grad: 63

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 67%
Part Time: 54%

5Ohio University-Main Campus
020 Chubb Hall | Athens, OH 45701

Ohio University Main Campus supports and advocates for veterans and military affiliated students. That includes in their transition to Ohio University and their pursuit of academic and personal goals. One great resource is the Ohio University’s Veteran and Military Student Services Center. The center provides a range of programs and services for military students.

Like other military friendly colleges in Ohio, OHIO participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers an unlimited number of students an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans may be eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 86%, while the rate for part time students is 67%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $10,137
Grad: $23,950

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 686
Grad: 113

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 88%
Part Time: 42%

6Kent State University at Kent
Executive Office, 2nd Floor Library | Kent, OH 44242

Kent State University at Kent offers priority registration and scheduling for service members and veterans. The Veterans Campus Club is a student run organization of veterans that attend Kent State. Tutoring is free of charge to any veteran, service member, or dependent who needs help. 

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 88%. And, the rate for part time students is 90%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $9,425
Grad: $8,726

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 517
Grad: 82

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 88%
Part Time: 90%

7University of Akron Main Campus
302 Buchtel Common | Akron, OH 44325

University of Akron Main Campus provides comprehensive enrollment and referral services. These are offered to both new and returning veterans and their families. Plus, the school offers Musson Military Veterans Lounges. Located on campus, these offer student veterans a place to relax, study and enjoy camaraderie.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 83%, while the rate for part time students is 45%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $7,666
Grad: $7,189

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 164
Grad: 21

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 83%
Part Time: 45%

8Bowling Green State University-Main Campus
220 McFall Ctr | Bowling Green, OH 43403

Bowling Green State University (BGSU) welcomes and supports thousands of military and veteran students. It is recognized around the globe as a world-class university. Nontraditional and Military Student Services is a good starting point. They aid veterans in their transition to becoming BGSU students.

BGSU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program by offering an unlimited number of undergrads up to $3,654 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 70%. This rate for part time students is 50%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $7,561
Grad: $5,781

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 206
Grad: 51

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 70%
Part Time: 50%

9Cleveland State University
2121 Euclid Ave | Cleveland, OH 44115

Cleveland State University (CSU) is home to the Viking Vets, the Veteran Student Success Program. The program helps military members and veterans with admissions, academic advising, counseling, and tutoring. Plus, it offers a veterans’ lounge.

CSU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 10 JD, EMBA, and AMBA students at the Law and Business Schools up to $29,500 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 73%. This rate for part time students is 60%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $8,781
Grad: $10,370

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 151
Grad: 35

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 73%
Part Time: 60%

10University of Dayton

Cleveland State University (CSU) is home to the Viking Vets, the Veteran Student Success Program. The program helps military members and veterans with admissions, academic advising, counseling, and tutoring. Plus, it offers a veterans’ lounge.

CSU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 10 JD, EMBA, and AMBA students at the Law and Business Schools up to $29,500 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 73%. This rate for part time students is 60%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $25,632
Grad: $17,786

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 68
Grad: 56

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 100%
Part Time: N/A

12Miami University-Oxford
501 East High St | Oxford, OH 45056

Miami University Oxford’s staff will go above and beyond to help military connected students. That includes helping to translate students’ military experience into as much academic credit as possible. The school has a dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, service members, and their families. And, they have a recognized student veteran organization.

Miami participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program by offering 15 undergrad students up to $9,758 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 79%, while the rate for part time students is 36%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $15,203
Grad: $7,735

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 133
Grad: 8

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 79%
Part Time: 36%

13Franklin University
201 S. Grant Ave | Columbus, OH 43215

Franklin University is honored to help military service members across the US and around the world. The goal is to help them pursue higher education without more sacrifice. So, the school offers dedicated military advisors and priority registration. The Office of Military & Veteran Affairs (OMVA) team is a good resource. It’s located in the Military Student Lounge, where students can connect with each other.

Franklin participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program by offering an unlimited number of 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 84%, while the rate for part time students is 64%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $8,607
Grad: $8,819

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 181
Grad: 79

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 84%
Part Time: 64%

11University of Toledo
2801 W Bancroft St | Toledo, OH 43606

University of Toledo (UT) recognizes the sacrifices of service members and their families. It is dedicated to helping them achieve continued success. The Military Service Center offers accessible education, degree completion opportunities, and custom support services. And, the school’s chapter of the Student Veterans of America (SVA) is helpful. For one, it supports veterans in their transition from combat to the classroom.

UT participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program by offering an unlimited number of 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 80%, while the rate for part time students is 71%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $8,411
Grad: $11,085

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 197
Grad: 26

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 80%
Part Time: 71%

12 Case Western Reserve University
10900 Euclid Ave | Cleveland, OH 44106

Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers many undergrad, graduate, and doctoral students varying awards by school or division.

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

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $31,892
Grad: $24,789

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 23
Grad: 67

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 100%
Part Time: N/A

14 University of Northwestern Ohio
1441 N Cable Rd, Lima, Ohio 45805

University of Northwestern Ohio is a private, not-for-profit school that strives to be military friendly with dedicated personnel and staff on hand.

The UNOH Military Relations Department was set up in 2001 for this purpose. The department provides personal help to all military service members and veterans. For e.g. they assist with the scheduling, financial aid, and transfer of credit processes.

UNOH accepts Joint Services Transcripts, CCAF, and honors credit equivalencies as defined by the American Council on Education (ACE) for military course work, experience, and testing programs, such as CLEP and DANTES.

The school is also a member of the GoArmyEd and AIPortal. And is authorized to certify students who qualify for the following benefits: Post 9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill-Select Reserves, Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program, and VA Vocational Rehabilitation.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $9,293
Grad: $4,050

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 131
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 33%
Part Time: N/A

15Otterbein University

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $25,098
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 24
Grad: 3

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 75%
Part Time: N/A