St. Leo University Ranks In Nation's Best In Educating Soldiers

ST. LEO, FLA. — With more than one-third of its student population affiliated with the military, St. Leo University has again been recognized by a publication for its dedication serving those who serve the country.

The St. Leo-based private, not-for-profit university recently ranked as the top school in the Southeast in the Military Times’ annual Best For Vets edition for 2021. The magazine ranks 300 schools across the country based on their commitment to educating military members, including both active-duty soldiers and veterans. Overall, St. Leo ranked 11thnationally.

The distinction continues a history of the school performing well in educating military members, according to the publication. St. Leo ranked No.1 among non-traditional and online universities in 2019 after ranking fourth in 2018 and eighth in 2017.

The annual survey included more than 70 questions seeking details about the school’s costs, programs, policies and services that impact military-connected students. Federal data from the U.S. Departments of Education, Veterans Affairs and Defense, were also considered, the magazine reported.

Saint Leo earned the top spots based on the Military Times annual survey, which assessed more than 300 schools’ veteran- and military-student services and rates of academic achievement as well as a detailed review of public data collected by federal agencies, according to a news release.

The university’s military-connected population includes 6,092 students who are members of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard, National Guard members, retired military officers and enlisted veterans, military spouses, dependents, and others, the school said in the release.

“We are so proud of this honor and its validation of our commitment to the military and student-veteran population,” Saint Leo University President Jeffrey Senese said in the release. “It is our obligation as well as our pleasure to provide a high quality, private school education to these students who now are serving their country or have completed their military service. We support their families, too, and are grateful for the sacrifices they make.”