U.S. News & World Report has launched its first rankings of the Best Online Programs for Veterans, and Saint Leo University's online bachelor's degree programs placed 19 among the 153 undergraduate programs included in the new list.

According to U.S. News, Saint Leo is among the top programs nationwide that "have taken steps to improve the higher education experience for veterans."

To be included in this new ranking of online degree programs for veterans, programs first had to be numerically ranked in the U.S. News "2013 Best Online Education Programs." This was to ensure that each program was offered by a regionally accredited institution and performed well on a number of academic-related factors.

Saint Leo's undergraduate bachelor's degree programs had placed within the top fourth of the 237 participating regionally accredited institutions that grant bachelor's degrees through online degree programs.

To be ranked, a program had to demonstrate that it takes advantage of a wide range of government-backed programs that make credits portable to people with military experience. For example:

In addition to the U.S. News rankings, Saint Leo's online education programs were included in the 2013 Guide to Online Schools ranking that lists schools based on overall quality and affordability, and the annual Guide to Military-Friendly Colleges & Universities published by Military Advance Education.

Saint Leo has worked to provide educational services to the military dating back to 1973, and through Veterans Day 2013 is celebrating the 40-year anniversary of this partnership.

Are you a veteran ready to pursue an online degree program? How can Saint Leo help you?

Other posts you may be interested in reading:

The 5 Most Common Questions About Military Education Benefits

Saint Leo Course Focuses On Military To Civilian Transition

Fund Offers Veteran Students Emergency Financial Assistance

Image Credit: U.S. Department of Defense

*GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at www.benefits.va.gov/​gibill.