2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies
52
Ranked Colleges
22,500
Degrees Awarded
$22,800
Avg Cost*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, veterans have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies” ranking - to help you make that decision.
Liberal Arts is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 2nd of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 366,996 degrees were awarded to students with this major.
Across Illinois, there were 22,500 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies” ranking analyzed 52 colleges that offered a degree in liberal arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts programs as well as strong veteran support.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school, veteran affordability, and veteran satisfaction. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The liberal studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies”.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies
The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies”.
Top 25 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Veterans in Illinois
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies list. UChicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, UChicago supports 17,834 students, and 241 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 113 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $18,948. During this same period, 58 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Illinois State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies list. Illinois State is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 15 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Illinois State also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 530 of the 20,720 students enrolled at Illinois State University were GI Bill® students, of which 163 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,997. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Illinois State University Veteran Student Life Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Western Illinois University. The school came in at #3 for the Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 21 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
WIU also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 7,490 students enrolled at Western Illinois University, 330 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 62 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $4,652. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Western Illinois University does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Western Illinois University]](/colleges/western-illinois-university/student-life/veterans/)
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The school came in at #4 for the Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies. Carbondale, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 58 students in 2020-2021.
SIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 1 of the 11,366 students enrolled at Southern Illinois University Carbondale were GI Bill® students, of which 0 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $0. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read More…
Out of the 52 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies that were part of this year’s ranking, College of Lake County landed the #5 spot on the list. College of Lake County is located in Grayslake, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,446 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our illinois vets studying liberal studies list, College of Lake County has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 11,854 students enrolled at College of Lake County, 307 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 182 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,560. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
[Read full report on veteran student life at College of Lake County]](/colleges/college-of-lake-county/student-life/veterans/)
Northeastern Illinois University ranked #6 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies list. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 95 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our illinois vets studying liberal studies list, Northeastern Illinois University has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 7,119 students enrolled at Northeastern Illinois University, 147 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 83 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,460. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full Northeastern Illinois University Veteran Student Life Report
William Rainey Harper College did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies ranking, coming in at #7. William Rainey Harper College is located in Palatine, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,774 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
Harper College also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Among the 12,199 students enrolled at William Rainey Harper College, 181 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 131 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,155. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
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Waubonsee Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies ranking. Sugar Grove, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 449 students in 2020-2021.
Waubonsee also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Of the 7,564 students enrolled at Waubonsee, 144 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 89 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,748. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
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City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies ranking. Harold Washington College is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,448 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Harold Washington College also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Of the 6,479 students enrolled at City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College, 211 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 145 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $1,190. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full Harold Washington College Veteran Student Life Report
With a ranking of #10, Joliet Junior College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies list. This fairly large school is located in Joliet, Illinois, and it awarded 618 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
Joliet Junior College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 171 of the 10,267 students enrolled at Joliet Junior College were GI Bill® students, of which 112 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,584. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Joliet Junior College]](/colleges/joliet-junior-college/student-life/veterans/)
Southwestern Illinois College did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies ranking, coming in at #11. SWIC is located in Belleville, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 451 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.
SWIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, Southwestern Illinois College supports 6,906 students, and 492 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 271 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,194. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Southwestern Illinois College offers credit for military training for eligible students.
Full SWIC Veteran Student Life Report
Kaskaskia College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies ranking. Kaskaskia College is a public institution located in Centralia, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 177 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Kaskaskia College also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Our most recent data shows that 70 of the 2,785 students enrolled at Kaskaskia College were GI Bill® students, of which 22 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,798. During this same period, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Kaskaskia College]](/colleges/kaskaskia-college/student-life/veterans/)
Eastern Illinois University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies ranking. Charleston, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 100 students in 2020-2021.
EIU also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 8,626 students enrolled at Eastern Illinois University, 184 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 46 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,730. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eastern Illinois University does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
[Read full report on veteran student life at EIU]](/colleges/eastern-illinois-university/student-life/veterans/)
College of DuPage landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies ranking. College of DuPage is a large public school situated in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. It awarded 848 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
COD also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Of the 21,010 students enrolled at College of DuPage, 391 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 246 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,049. During this same period, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
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Governors State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies ranking. University Park, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 120 students in 2020-2021.
GSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 4,650 students enrolled at GSU, 146 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 80 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,291. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
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With a ranking of #16, University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies list. University of Illinois at Springfield is a small school located in Springfield, Illinois that handed out 10 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
UIS also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Of the 4,146 students enrolled at UIS, 214 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 106 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,253. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
[Read full report on veteran student life at University of Illinois at Springfield]](/colleges/university-of-illinois-at-springfield/student-life/veterans/)
John Wood Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies ranking. John Wood Community College is a small school located in Quincy, Illinois that handed out 267 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
John Wood Community College also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Of the 1,881 students enrolled at John Wood Community College, 72 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 46 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,562. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Full John Wood Community College Veteran Student Life Report
McHenry County College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and it awarded 810 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
MCC also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 7,814 students enrolled at MCC, 97 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 62 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $1,962. During this same period, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full MCC Veteran Student Life Report
With a ranking of #19, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies list. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 88 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our illinois vets studying liberal studies list, NIU has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, NIU supports 16,769 students, and 480 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 207 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,822. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Full Northern Illinois University Veteran Student Life Report
With a ranking of #20, Elgin Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies list. ECC is a medium-sized public school situated in Elgin, Illinois. It awarded 931 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
ECC also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 7,882 students enrolled at ECC, 144 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 100 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,559. During this same period, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
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Black Hawk College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies ranking. This small school is located in Moline, Illinois, and it awarded 517 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
BHC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 106 of the 3,743 students enrolled at BHC were GI Bill® students, of which 51 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,075. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Black Hawk College]](/colleges/black-hawk-college/student-life/veterans/)
Kankakee Community College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies ranking. Located in Kankakee, Illinois, this small public school awarded 327 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our illinois vets studying liberal studies list, Kankakee Community College has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 56 of the 2,245 students enrolled at Kankakee Community College were GI Bill® students, of which 24 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,951. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Kankakee Community College offers credit for military training for eligible students.
Full Kankakee Community College Veteran Student Life Report
Lincoln Land Community College did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies ranking, coming in at #23. LLCC is a small school located in Springfield, Illinois that handed out 475 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at LLCC, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Lincoln Land Community College supports 4,977 students, and 228 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 73 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,396. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Full LLCC Veteran Student Life Report
With a ranking of #24, Danville Area Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies list. Danville, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 176 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our illinois vets studying liberal studies list, DACC has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 2,171 students enrolled at DACC, 72 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 42 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,499. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. DACC does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Full Danville Area Community College Veteran Student Life Report
Chicago State University did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Illinois for Liberal Studies ranking, coming in at #25. Chicago State University is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our illinois vets studying liberal studies list, CSU has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, CSU supports 2,644 students, and 94 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 48 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $8,489. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. CSU offers credit for military training for eligible students.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
[Read full report on veteran student life at CSU]](/colleges/chicago-state-university/student-life/veterans/)
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