Saint Leo University was selected as one of Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges 2019, the publication announced Monday.

Saint Leo ranked fourth in the country in the Online & Nontraditional Schools category, which recognizes the university’s commitment to educating military personnel, veterans, and their families wherever they may be—even if they are deployed. This marks a jump in the ranking from last year’s eighth place.

In their ninth year, the rankings are based on the results of Military Times’ annual survey, which assesses veteran- and military-student services and rates of academic achievement as well as a detailed review of public data collected by federal agencies. About 500 colleges took part in this year’s survey.

“We are delighted to again be recognized for Saint Leo’s commitment to our student-veterans and military-affiliated students,” said Jeffrey D. Senese, university president. “Saint Leo has a proud history of educating our U.S. military. We offer assistance and cater to the special needs of those who serve and those who are transitioning from active duty.”

In addition to University Campus in St. Leo, FL, north of Tampa, students are educated at more than 30 teaching locations, including many located on military bases. Saint Leo teaches at one of the largest naval bases in the world, Naval Station Norfolk, as well as at other bases in Virginia, Florida, California, Texas, South Carolina, and Mississippi.

Saint Leo now has three Military Resource Centers—areas where student-veterans, military-affiliated students, and ROTC members may gather to get assistance, study, and enjoy social activities. In addition to the main campus, an MRC is located at Saint Leo’s Newport News, Virginia, location and at its news Savannah Education Center in Savannah, Georgia.

Military Times asked institutions of higher education across the United Stated to fill out a rigorous survey of about 150 questions regarding their operations involving current and former service members and their families. Institutions were evaluated in five categories: university culture, academic outcomes/quality, student support, academic policies, and cost and financial aid. Enrollment for Fall Semester 2017 was used for the survey.

Photo Caption: “For Those Who Serve,” honors the five branches of the military, as well as Saint Leo University’s faculty and staff who are devoted to leading the men and women of the U.S. armed forces toward growth and fulfillment of purpose.

About Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University (www.saintleo.edu) is a modern Catholic teaching university that is firmly grounded in the liberal arts tradition and the timeless Benedictine wisdom that seeks balanced growth of mind, body, and spirit. The Saint Leo University of today is a private, nonprofit institution that creates hospitable learning communities wherever students want to be or need to be, whether that is a campus classroom, a web-based environment, an employer’s worksite, a military base, or an office park. Saint Leo welcomes people of all faiths and of no religious affiliation, and encourages learners of all generations. The university is committed to providing educational opportunities to the nation’s armed forces, veterans, and their families. Saint Leo is regionally accredited to award degrees ranging from the associate to the doctorate, and the faculty and staff guide all students to develop their capacities for critical thinking, moral reflection, and lifelong learning and leadership.

The university remains the faithful steward of the beautiful lakeside University Campus in the Tampa Bay region of Florida, where its founding monks created the first Catholic college in the state in 1889. Serving nearly 12,000 students, Saint Leo has expanded to downtown Tampa, to other sites in Florida and beyond, and maintains a physical presence in seven states. The university provides highly respected online learning programs to students nationally and internationally. More than 93,000 alumni reside in all 50 states, in Washington, DC, in three U.S. territories, and in 76 countries.