How to find regionally accredited, military-friendly colleges?

So I've set my sights on joining the military after high school, but I also want to get my degree. Can anyone provide guidance on how to find regionally accredited colleges that are military-friendly? I want to ensure I maintain a balance between the two. Thank you!

Sure, I'd be happy to guide you on how to find such universities! First, I commend your dedication to both getting an education and serving in the military. You'll find that many colleges and universities in the United States offer benefits for military service members.

Here are some tips on finding military-friendly, regionally accredited colleges:

1. Military Benefits: Look at specific military benefits, such as the Yellow Ribbon Program and tuition assistance. The Yellow Ribbon Program can make a significant difference in covering costs at private schools or for out-of-state students at public colleges.

2. Online and Flexible Learning Options: Many military-friendly schools offer online, part-time, and flexible degree programs that cater to the unique lifestyle of military personnel who need to balance service commitments, training, and deployment with their studies.

3. Credit for Military Training: Some colleges can give you credits for the training and experiences you've gained during your military service, which may shorten your time to graduation.

4. Presence of ROTC Programs: Schools with Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs are usually military-friendly and provide opportunities for scholarships and leadership development.

5. Veteran Services: Look for schools with a dedicated office or personnel to support veterans and active military students. They can provide assistance with applying for military benefits, academic support, and transition resources.

6. Regional Accreditation: For the regional accreditation part, you just need to check the accreditation status of the schools you're interested in. The six regional accreditation bodies in the U.S. are the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE), the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges: Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). You can generally find this information on the school's website.

Remember, most colleges will explicitly state their commitment to serving military and veteran students on their websites, so that's a good place to start doing your research. Good luck!