University of Texas at Austin ranked as Texas’s best college for veterans

KXAN (Nov 2021) | Kelsey Thompson

AUSTIN (KXAN) —The University of Texas at Austin is Texas’s best higher education institution for veterans, according to a ranking released by the U.S. & World News Report Monday. The ranking follows a Sept. 23 recognition of the university by the Texas Veterans Commission, commending UT Austin on its educational services to veterans.

On a national level, UT Austin came in at No. 10 among all public universities for its veteran resources, and No. 16 among all private and public universities. Currently, more than 475 veterans are enrolled in UT programs, per a university news release.

Approximately 1.4 million Texans classify as veterans, according to estimates from the 2019 American Community Survey.

Approximately 1,300 students are either spouses or children of current or former military members, per the release.

“Providing world-class teaching and mentoring resources to veterans is a top priority and point of pride at The University of Texas,” UT Austin President Jay Hartzell said in the release. “Both of these recognitions underscore our continued commitment to supporting our student veterans and their families.”

UT Austin’s Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness specializes in care access and services for veterans transitioning back to civilian life and beginning a post-military career education path. The institute’s programming includes spousal support networks, peer support groups and transition resources for veteran families.

As veterans begin this next chapter of their life, they can encounter unforeseen challenges while adjusting, said Elisa Borah, research associate professor and director for the Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness. She said the most successful transitions take on a multifaceted approach, from adjusting to higher learning environments to connecting with Veterans Affairs resources.

“They’re leaving a culture and a type of career that they’ve been in for sometimes a long period of time, that is very different than civilian culture and civilian life,” she said. “The jobs don’t always translate to civilian sector jobs, and the lifestyle as well, it’s very different.”