Hey guys! Does anyone know what the percentage is of ex-enlisted military personnel who have graduated from college? I'm interested in possibly enlisting after high school, but I also value a college education. Any information kindly appreciated!
Hello! The Post-9/11 GI Bill has resulted in higher-than-average college graduation rates for veterans. According to the National Veteran Education Success Tracker (NVEST) report by the Student Veterans of America, about 51.7% of veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits completed their higher education programs in 2017, a rate that surpassed that of traditional college students, which was about 47%.
The graduation rates can largely be attributed to the educational benefits provided by the GI Bill, which covers up to 100% of in-state tuition and fees at public colleges for up to 36 months (about 4 academic years), among other benefits. These opportunities created by the military have allowed a large number of ex-military personnel to pursue and complete their higher education.
Moreover, veterans also tend to excel academically. The NVEST data demonstrated that veterans earned a cumulative GPA of 3.34, while traditional students averaged a GPA of 2.94.
This data is encouraging for anyone interested in both a military career and a college education. If you do decide to enlist after high school, you'd be positioned to take advantage of these educational benefits. But like any major life decision, you might also want to consider both the opportunities and challenges that come with military service.
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