Many service members and veterans can earn college credit for military training, coursework, and on-the-job experience. This process can shorten your time to graduation and reduce how much you pay for a degree.
Colleges award this credit through several methods, including military transcripts, prior learning assessments, and standardized exams.
At Tuition Covered, we help military students understand which schools are most likely to accept and maximize these credits.
Colleges evaluate military experience using nationally recognized frameworks. Credit is not automatic — it depends on the school’s policies and how your experience aligns with their programs.
The most common pathways include:
Most colleges start by reviewing official military transcripts, which document completed training and coursework.
These transcripts often include ACE credit recommendations, which colleges may use as guidance when awarding credit.
Important: Schools are not required to follow ACE recommendations. Acceptance varies widely.
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) allows colleges to award credit for knowledge gained outside the classroom — including military service, leadership roles, and technical training.
PLA methods may include:
PLA is often used when military experience does not directly appear on a transcript or when additional justification is required.
→ Prior Learning Assessment overview
Some students earn college credit by passing standardized exams that demonstrate subject mastery.
These exams can be a fast way to earn general education credits, especially for subjects you already know from training or experience.
There is no universal limit, but most schools cap how much non-traditional credit can be applied toward a degree.
Typical limits range from:
Credit acceptance depends on:
Two students with the same military background can receive very different credit outcomes depending on the college.
Military-friendly schools are more likely to:
Collect your JST, training certificates, MOS or rating history, and any civilian certifications. These support your PLA evaluation.
Schools vary widely in how many credits they award for the same experience. A generous military credit policy can shorten your degree timeline dramatically.
Many colleges provide free pre evaluations. This gives you a realistic picture of how close you are to a degree before you enroll.
Some schools request a portfolio to demonstrate real world experience, particularly for leadership or management courses.
Once you know which courses remain, CLEP helps you complete them quickly.
With PLA and CLEP reducing your workload, TA ensures that what is left remains affordable.
This pathway is especially valuable for:
Students trying to finish a degree faster and at lower cost.