Lakewood, Colorado – Colorado Christian University (CCU) has achieved Gold status in the 2026-2027 Military Friendly Schools rankings, marking a significant step in the university’s longstanding commitment to supporting service members, veterans and their families. This recognition, announced today, reflects CCU’s dedication to providing a supportive and accessible educational environment for those who have served the nation. The Gold designation is the highest level awarded by Military Friendly, a veteran-owned and operated organization, and signifies exceptional programs and resources tailored to the unique needs of the military community.
For many veterans transitioning to civilian life, pursuing higher education can present unique challenges. Recognizing this, CCU has focused on creating pathways to success for military-affiliated students, offering flexible online programs, specialized counseling, and financial assistance. This latest ranking underscores the effectiveness of those efforts and positions CCU as a leader in veteran-friendly education. The university’s commitment extends beyond simply accepting military benefits; it’s about fostering a community where veterans feel valued and supported throughout their academic journey. Understanding the benefits available to veterans is a crucial first step, and CCU aims to simplify that process for its students.
A Decade and a Half of Commitment
This isn’t a new endeavor for Colorado Christian University. CCU has been recognized as a Military Friendly School for the past 14 consecutive years, steadily improving its ranking over time. “For 14 years, CCU has remained committed to serving military students with excellence and care,” stated Bill Hutto, CCU military enrollment director. “Our team understands the unique challenges they face, and we accept pride in providing personalized support that helps them not only enroll but persist, and succeed.” The progression to Gold status demonstrates a sustained and growing investment in the military community, according to university officials.
What the Military Friendly Ranking Evaluates
The Military Friendly Schools list is compiled annually through extensive research and surveys. The evaluation process considers a wide range of factors, including student retention rates, graduation rates, job placement success, and the level of financial assistance available to military and veteran students. Crucially, the ranking also assesses the quality of services and resources specifically designed to support their success. This includes things like dedicated enrollment counselors, transfer credit policies for military training, and support navigating Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. The methodology utilizes both public data sources and a proprietary survey, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of each institution’s commitment.
Online Programs and Specialized Support
A key component of CCU’s success in serving military students is its College of Adult and Graduate Studies (CCU Online). The program offers 100% online degree programs, providing the flexibility needed by active-duty service members and their families who may be stationed around the world. These programs are designed to meet the specific needs of adult learners, often with accelerated formats and relevant coursework. Beyond the online offerings, CCU provides specialized military enrollment counselors who understand the complexities of military benefits and can guide students through the application process. The university also offers reduced tuition rates for active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their families, as well as assistance in transferring military training into academic credit.
“Earning gold status is a milestone that reflects the heart CCU brings to serving those who serve our country,” said Allison Burkhart, Vice President of University Marketing, College of Adult and Graduate Studies Enrollment and Student Success. “Our military and veteran students don’t just choose CCU for the flexibility or the benefits expertise – they choose us because we genuinely care about their success, their families, and their futures. This recognition affirms that Christ-centered education and a commitment to those who serve our country are a calling we take seriously, and one we will not stop pursuing.”
CCU’s dedication to military-affiliated students extends to recognizing prior learning. The university works with students to evaluate their military experience and potentially award academic credit for relevant training and skills. This can significantly reduce the time and cost of completing a degree. For those considering higher education, understanding how to maximize VA education benefits is essential, and CCU provides dedicated support in this area.
Photos of military-affiliated students are available here.
As CCU continues to build on its commitment to the military community, the university plans to expand its online program offerings and enhance its support services. The next step involves a planned review of the transfer credit process to further streamline the acceptance of military training. Active-duty service members, veterans, and their families interested in learning more about CCU’s programs and benefits are encouraged to visit ccu.edu/military.
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