WT Improves National Rankings in Military Times for Services to Veteran Students

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]

CANYON, Texas - West Texas A&M University rose among its peers in Texas and across the Southwest in rankings of services for student veterans.

WT ranked No. 10 in Texas and No. 12 in the Southwest in Military Times's Best for Vets 2026 Colleges.

"We are incredibly honored to be ranked so highly by Military Times for its 2026 list," said Amy Criss, director of WT's Office of Military and Veterans Services. "This recognition reflects WT's ongoing commitment to supporting our military-connected students and ensuring they have the resources and support they need to succeed. We take great pride in serving those who have served our country, and this honor reinforces our commitment to making WT a welcoming and supportive place for veterans and their families."

This year's list includes 370 institutions, rising from 357 in 2025 and 304 in 2024.

Military Times collects data from an extensive survey from colleges across the country. Institutions are evaluated on academic quality, student support services, affordability, and outcomes for veterans, including graduation and retention rates.

WT ranked No. 117 overall, No. 100 in General Education, No. 97 in Public and No. 36 in Traditional and Online classifications, each a significant improvement over 2025.

Veterans and military-affiliated students make up more than 7 percent of WT's student population.

Military and Veterans Services provides support for active-duty service members, veterans and families of either, offering access to a variety of educational benefits programs for them and their dependents.

For a third year, the office won a gold Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award from the Texas Veterans Commission.

In September, U.S. News & World Report ranked WT as No. 15 for Best Colleges for Veterans in the west, up from No. 25 a year ago. Among Texas schools, WT is No. 3 for veterans.

About West Texas A&M University

West Texas A&M University is a Regional Research University in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT boasts an enrollment of about 9,000 and offers multiple options for students to graduate and succeed: 65 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 41 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor's and master's degree, a specialist degree and three doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference; WT offers 16 men's and women's athletics programs.

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