When Jim Craig heard earlier this week that the University of Missouri–St. Louis had once again earned recognition from the Military Times, he was thrilled – but not particularly surprised.

“What UMSL has accomplished with its veteran and military-connected programs is far ahead of anyone else in the region,” said Craig, chair of the Department of Military and Veterans Studies. “Being named No. 39 on this list is a testament to those accomplishments.”

The rankings factor in the results of Military Times’ annual survey of services, campus culture, academic achievement rates and other resources and outcomes.

More than 600 colleges across the country vied for a total of 218 spots on the “Military Times Best: Colleges 2018” list, with UMSL landing at No. 39 out of the 140 four-year schools that made the cut. Marking the university’s fourth year in a row to receive the designation, the new ranking is also a step up from last year, when UMSL was ranked 40th.

Military Times, a source of independent news and information for service members and their families, annually asks colleges and universities to meticulously document a wide array of services, accommodations and financial incentives offered to students with military ties.

In addition, the survey asks schools to describe many aspects of veteran culture on campus. Military Times also factors in data from the Veterans Affairs and Defense departments as well as three Department of Education sources in its school-by-school evaluation.

“Of the hundreds of schools that applied, fewer than half received the ‘Military Times Best: Colleges’ designation this year,” said George Altman, the Military Times editor in charge of the rankings. “Only the best made the cut. For the past eight years, we’ve seen colleges and universities consistently increasing their resources, revising their policies and improving their academic outcomes for military and veteran students. The ‘Military Times Best: Colleges’ rankings showcase the very best of these efforts.”

UMSL is the highest-rated university in the St. Louis region and in Missouri on this year’s list. Craig was quick to credit the students themselves as well as the institution that seeks to serve them.

“Student veterans at UMSL are much like all the students at UMSL – they are hardworking, they are committed to their education and they have lives and responsibilities away from campus,” he said. “UMSL provides them a pathway to a better future while at the same time providing peers, mentors and role models to help them navigate the challenges of a top-notch research university. UMSL is a great place for vets. The Military Times list recognizes that.”

But Craig isn’t one to rest on such laurels.

“I am very proud of this recognition, but No. 39 is not No. 1,” he added. “We still have work to do.”