Top 10 Degrees for Veteran

These are not the only good options for veterans. But they consistently show up as some of the best degrees for military veterans because they align with strengths developed through service: calm under pressure, operational thinking, teamwork, and follow-through.

For veterans evaluating which majors make sense after the military, the programs below offer clearer career pathways, strong employer demand, and practical ways to translate military experience into civilian roles.

Also, for veterans who have family, you can consider low-residency programs with high bah to help yourself release some finance burden.

1) Criminal Justice

Criminal justice is one of the most common veteran majors, especially for those interested in public safety, investigation, corrections, or policy-related roles. It can also serve as a stepping stone into federal service when paired with the right internships and long-term planning.

Veterans often find this field familiar due to its emphasis on discipline, procedure, and ethical decision-making.

What to look for:

• Internships with local agencies or legal organizations

• Coursework that includes analytics, writing, and ethics

• Career support that helps translate military experience responsibly

Popular Programs: 

• Monroe University: AA Criminal Justice; BS Criminal Justice; MS Criminal Justice

2) Business Administration and Management

Business administration remains a classic choice among veteran degrees for a reason. These programs convert military leadership into civilian language without locking veterans into a single industry.

Graduates move into operations, program management, logistics, HR, consulting, and sales leadership across both public and private sectors.

What to look for:

• Programs emphasizing operations, analytics, and leadership

• Real-world projects with local companies

• Alumni networks that actively support veteran students

Popular Programs: 

• Monroe University: AA Business Management; BBA; MBA
• CIAM: MBA
• Westcliff University: BBA; MBA; DBA

3) Public Administration & Political Science

Public administration and political science focus on how governments and public institutions function in practice. Policy design, budgeting, regulatory enforcement, and interagency coordination are core themes.

Many veterans choose this pathway not to run for office, but to work inside government agencies, public nonprofits, or policy-focused organizations. Common outcomes include roles as program analysts, public affairs specialists, policy advisors, and administrative managers at the federal, state, or local level.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for political scientists is projected to grow about 6% through 2033, reflecting steady demand across government and research institutions.

What to look for:

• Coursework in public budgeting, administrative law, and policy analysis

• Internship or fellowship pipelines with government agencies or nonprofits

• Faculty and advisors experienced in public-sector careers

Popular Programs: 

• Monroe University: AA Public Administration; BS Public Administration; MS Public Administration
• CIAM: MA Organizational Leadership
• Westcliff University: BBA; MBA - Organizational Management; DBA - Organizational Management

4) Health Sciences

Health sciences degrees lead to careers in nursing, medical lab work, radiology-related fields, health administration, and public health. Veterans often succeed here because the work is mission-driven, team-based, and high-accountability.

These veteran-friendly majors also allow continued service to the community, often in structured environments similar to military operations.

What to look for:

• Clear clinical placement support

• Strong advising for licensure paths

• Mental health services that are practical and accessible

5) Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields for military veterans pursuing degrees. The work rewards habits many veterans already have: threat awareness, procedural discipline, and attention to detail.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for information security analysts to grow 29% from 2024 to 2034, far faster than average.

What to look for:

• Courses leading to industry-recognized certifications (Security+, etc.)

• Hands-on security labs and blue-team practice

• Employer partnerships that hire entry-level analysts

6) Psychology

Some veterans pursue psychology to continue serving others, particularly fellow veterans. Others are drawn to understanding trauma, performance under pressure, and human behavior as it relates to leadership and organizational work.

While many psychologist roles require graduate study, psychology remains a strong undergraduate foundation among degrees for veterans. BLS projects overall employment of psychologists to grow about 6% through 2034.

What to look for:

• Transparent advising about graduate school requirements

• Research opportunities and supervised practicum options

• Veteran-informed counseling resources on campus

7) Computer Science & Information Technology

For veterans who enjoy systems, troubleshooting, and building practical tools, computer science and IT offer one of the clearest civilian career transitions.

Veterans commonly move into software development, IT support, cloud operations, and network administration. The pathway is straightforward: build skills, show proof of work, get hired.

What to look for:

• Strong internship pipelines and career services

• Labs, hands-on projects, and certification-aligned coursework

• Veteran or military-affiliated tech communities

8) Education

Education is a second mission for many veterans. Schools need adults who can lead classrooms, establish routines, and remain steady under pressure.

Programs like Troops to Teachers exist specifically to support veterans entering education, making this one of the most structured veteran career pathways.

What to look for:

• Clear licensure pathways in your state

• Classroom placement support and mentoring

• Preparation for diverse learning environments

9) Finance

Finance suits veterans who enjoy decision-making based on numbers, risk, and strategy. Common roles include financial analyst, corporate finance associate, and financial advisor.

Investment banking is possible, but often depends on school recruiting strength and alumni access.

What to look for:

• Internship placement and on-campus recruiting

• Practical modeling and analytics coursework

• Alumni mentors actively engaged with veterans

10) Human Resources Management

HR focuses on people operations: recruiting, training, employee relations, and compliance. Veterans with experience leading teams or handling sensitive personnel matters often transition well into HR roles.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects HR manager employment to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034.

What to look for:

• Courses covering employment law and workforce analytics

• Internship support in corporate HR environments

• A campus culture that respects professional experience

Why These Veteran Degrees Work?

• High Demand and Clear Hiring Pathways: The best veteran majors are not just interesting. They have visible on-ramps to employment through internships, certifications, clinical placements, or structured recruiting pipelines.
• Military Skills Translate Cleanly: Civilian employers may not understand MOS codes, but they understand outcomes: leadership, risk management, execution under pressure, and accountability. Degrees that let veterans demonstrate these outcomes through projects and applied learning make the transition smoother.

Choosing the Right College as a Veteran

Veteran-Friendly Campus Culture

Look for institutions that have done this before:

• A real veterans center with problem-solving authority

• Faculty trained in working with military-connected students

• Peer communities where veterans feel they belong

Support Services That Matter

Effective support is practical, not symbolic:

• Responsive GI Bill certification teams

• Career coaching that understands military timelines

• Accessible, veteran-aware mental health resources

Frequently Asked Questions About Veteran Degrees

What makes a degree program veteran-friendly?
Veteran-friendly programs offer flexible scheduling, clear GI Bill processes, defined career outcomes, and staff experienced with military students.

How can veterans translate military experience into civilian careers?
Focus on repeatable strengths such as leadership, operations, and security. Choose degrees that allow you to demonstrate those skills through internships, certifications, or applied projects.

Are there scholarships for veterans beyond the GI Bill?
Yes. Many schools and nonprofits offer veteran scholarships. Some institutions also participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program to reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Which veteran degree is best if I am undecided?
Business administration and IT-related degrees tend to keep options open. The best choice, however, is one aligned with how you prefer to work day to day.