2023 Best Criminal Justice & Police Science Colleges for Veterans in the Plains States Region
27
Ranked Colleges
1,628
Degrees Awarded
$22,400
Avg Cost*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, veterans have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Criminal Justice & Police Science is the 74th most popular major in the country with 22,722 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
Across the Plains States region, there were 1,628 criminal justice and police science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science” ranking analyzed 27 colleges that offered a degree in criminal justice and police science. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality criminal justice and police science programs as well as strong veteran support.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the criminal justice and police science program at the school, veteran affordability, and veteran satisfaction. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The police science 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 the Plains States Region for Police Science”.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to 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 the Plains States Region for Police Science
The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region vets studying police science.
Top 25 Best Criminal Justice & Police Science Colleges for Veterans in the Plains States Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large school located in Mankato, Minnesota that handed out 68 ’s police science degrees in 2020-2021.
Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Among the 14,761 students enrolled at Minnesota State Mankato, 331 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 147 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $5,814. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Minnesota State Mankato offers credit for military training for eligible students.
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 Minnesota State Mankato]](/colleges/minnesota-state-university-mankato/student-life/veterans/)
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Century College. The school came in at #2 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science. Located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 69 degrees to qualified ’s police science students in 2020-2021.
Century College also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 8,203 students enrolled at Century College, 197 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 135 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,525. 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.
Read More…
Out of the 27 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified ’s police science students in 2020-2021.
SMU MN 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 10 of the 5,152 students enrolled at SMU MN were GI Bill® students, of which 4 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $10,663. 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.
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 SMU MN Veteran Student Life Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Normandale Community College. The school came in at #4 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science. Located in Bloomington, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 29 degrees to qualified ’s police science students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region vets studying police science list, Normandale 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 167 of the 9,420 students enrolled at Normandale Community College were GI Bill® students, of which 96 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,449. 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 Normandale Community College]](/colleges/normandale-community-college/student-life/veterans/)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Alexandria Technical & Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science list. ATCC is a small public school situated in Alexandria, Minnesota. It awarded 128 ’s police science degrees in 2020-2021.
ATCC also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].According to our most recent data, Alexandria Technical & Community College supports 2,549 students, and 76 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 39 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,582. 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.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
[Read full report on veteran student life at Alexandria Technical & Community College]](/colleges/alexandria-technical-and-community-college/student-life/veterans/)
Missouri Southern State University did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science ranking, coming in at #6. Joplin, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s police science degrees to 121 students in 2020-2021.
Missouri Southern also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 5,045 students enrolled at Missouri Southern State University, 210 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 98 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,255. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Missouri Southern State University offers credit for military training for eligible students.
Full Missouri Southern State University Veteran Student Life Report
Inver Hills Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science ranking. Inver Hills Community College is a public institution located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at IHCC, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 98 of the 4,071 students enrolled at IHCC were GI Bill® students, of which 48 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,371. 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.
Read More…
North Hennepin Community College did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science ranking, coming in at #8. This medium-sized school is located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and it awarded 30 ’s police science degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Hennepin Community College, 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, North Hennepin Community College supports 5,756 students, and 108 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 82 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,476. 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 North Hennepin Community College Veteran Student Life Report
Hibbing Community College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science ranking. Located in Hibbing, Minnesota, this small public school awarded 19 diplomas to qualified ’s police science students in 2020-2021.
Hibbing Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Among the 913 students enrolled at Hibbing Community College, 36 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 17 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,177. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Read More…
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science ranking. Des Moines Area Community College is a large school located in Ankeny, Iowa that handed out 57 ’s police science degrees in 2020-2021.
DMACC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Among the 23,051 students enrolled at Des Moines Area Community College, 500 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 221 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,709. 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.
Full Des Moines Area Community College Veteran Student Life Report
Metropolitan State University ranked #11 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science list. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s police science degrees to 66 students in 2020-2021.
Metro State 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 257 of the 7,552 students enrolled at Metropolitan State University were GI Bill® students, of which 157 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,216. 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Metro State Veteran Student Life Report
Northland Community and Technical College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science ranking. This small school is located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, and it awarded 12 ’s police science degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region vets studying police science list, Northland Community and Technical College has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 2,962 students enrolled at Northland Community and Technical College, 24 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 17 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,243. 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 More…
Lake Area Technical Institute came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science ranking. Lake Area Technical Institute is a public institution located in Watertown, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
LATI also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 2,217 students enrolled at Lake Area Technical Institute, 136 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 40 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $4,486. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Lake Area Technical Institute does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
[Read full report on veteran student life at LATI]](/colleges/lake-area-technical-institute/student-life/veterans/)
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science list. Cloquet, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s police science degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Among the 1,639 students enrolled at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, 17 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 8 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,681. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received funds through 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 Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College]](/colleges/fond-du-lac-tribal-and-community-college/student-life/veterans/)
Western Dakota Technical Institute ranked #15 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science list. Western Dakota Tech is a small public school situated in Rapid City, South Dakota. It awarded 18 ’s police science degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Western Dakota Tech, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 125 of the 1,324 students enrolled at Western Dakota Technical Institute were GI Bill® students, of which 61 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $4,360. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Full Western Dakota Technical Institute Veteran Student Life Report
With a ranking of #16, Northeast Community College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science list. Norfolk, Nebraska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s police science degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.
Northeast 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 62 of the 5,105 students enrolled at Northeast Community College were GI Bill® students, of which 23 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $1,545. 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.
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%.
Read More…
Minneapolis Community and Technical College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science ranking. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s police science degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.
Minneapolis Community and Technical College also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Among the 6,429 students enrolled at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, 127 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 96 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,795. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Minneapolis Community and Technical College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.
Full Minneapolis Community and Technical College Veteran Student Life Report
Southeast Technical College ranked #18 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science list. Southeast Tech is a small school located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota that handed out 17 ’s police science degrees in 2020-2021.
Southeast Tech also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Southeast Tech supports 2,330 students, and 193 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 86 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,618. During this same period, 0 students qualified for 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 Southeast Tech Veteran Student Life Report
Jefferson College did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science ranking, coming in at #19. Jefferson College is a small school located in Hillsboro, Missouri that handed out 37 ’s police science degrees in 2020-2021.
JeffCo did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Among the 3,740 students enrolled at Jefferson College, 99 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 56 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,315. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Jefferson College offers credit for military training for eligible students.
Read More…
Midland University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science ranking. Midland U is located in Fremont, Nebraska and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s police science degrees to qualified students.
Midland U also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Among the 1,765 students enrolled at Midland University, 42 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 29 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $9,303. 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.
Full Midland University Veteran Student Life Report
Hawkeye Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science ranking. Hawkeye Community College is a medium-sized school located in Waterloo, Iowa that handed out 24 ’s police science degrees in 2020-2021.
Hawkeye Community College also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 150 of the 5,042 students enrolled at Hawkeye Community College were GI Bill® students, of which 68 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,269. 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 Hawkeye Community College]](/colleges/hawkeye-community-college/student-life/veterans/)
Saint Louis Community College did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science ranking, coming in at #22. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s police science degrees to 53 students in 2020-2021.
Saint Louis Community College also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Our most recent data shows that 16 of the 15,206 students enrolled at Saint Louis Community College were GI Bill® students, of which 10 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $2,111. 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 Saint Louis Community College Veteran Student Life Report
Mineral Area College ranked #23 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science list. Park Hills, Missouri is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s police science degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.
MAC also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].According to our most recent data, MAC supports 2,410 students, and 78 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 40 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $1,837. 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 More…
Indian Hills Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science list. Ottumwa, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s police science degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.
IHCC also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].According to our most recent data, IHCC supports 3,279 students, and 106 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 45 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $4,629. 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.
Read More…
Lake Region State College ranked #25 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Plains States Region for Police Science list. This small school is located in Devils Lake, North Dakota, and it awarded 60 ’s police science degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region vets studying police science list, Lake Region State College has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 1,771 students enrolled at Lake Region State College, 60 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 10 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $1,651. 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 Lake Region State College]](/colleges/lake-region-state-college/student-life/veterans/)
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