Surging 43 spots in one year, The University of Toledo has been recognized again as a top school for supporting student veterans.

The Military Times awarded UToledo the Best for Vets 2020 designation, ranking UToledo No. 80 out of 134 four-year institutions. The University was ranked 123 out of 208 in 2019.

“The University of Toledo Military Service Center is honored to help our service men and women succeed, and the Military Times: Best for Vets designation recognizes our steadfast commitment,” said Eric Buetikofer, UToledo director of military and veteran affairs. “We have worked hard over the last year in adding new programming that, we feel, has improved our students’ sense of connection to the University and UToledo community.”

For 10 years, Military Times has conducted an extensive, editorially independent, objective study evaluating the many factors that help make colleges and universities a good fit for service members, military veterans and their families.

“The University has made great strides over the last year to improve our ability to track military-connected students, which has allowed us to communicate more effectively with our student population and work with them as they progress towards graduation and beyond,” Buetikofer said. “This increase in rankings is a reflection of the team effort led by University College, including the Military Service Center staff and student workers.”

The rankings are based on the results of Military Times’ annual survey — a school-by-school assessment of veteran and military student services and rates of academic achievement — as well as a detailed review of public data collected by federal agencies.

Military Times’ annual survey asks colleges and universities to disclose academic outcome and input data; describe many aspects of veteran culture on campus; and document a wide array of services, policies, accommodations and financial incentives offered to students with military ties. Military Times also factors in data from the Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, as well as three Education Department sources: the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Center, College Scorecard data and the Cohort Default Rate Database.

See the 2020 Best for Vets list on Military Times’ website at militarytimes.com/education-transition/2019/10/28/best-for-vets-top-colleges-2020.