The University of Texas at Arlington is one of the 100 best colleges in the nation for United States military veterans, according to the Best for Vets: Colleges 2015 rankings released Monday by Military Times.

Ranked No. 36 of 100 four-year schools that offer bachelors or graduate degrees or both, UT Arlington was one of only four Texas colleges ranked in the top 40.

UT Arlington has nearly 3,000 student veterans or their dependents among its more than 40,000 students around the world. Because students are asked to identify themselves as veterans, actual veteran enrollment may be larger.

In conducting the fifth annual Best for Vets survey, Military Times focused on veterans' academic success rates, including graduation, retention, persistence and course completion rates.

The ranking also placed emphasis on services, special rules, accommodations and financial incentives offered to military and veteran students and their families.

UT Arlington President Vistasp Karbhari said the Military Times ranking reflects the University's commitment to supporting student veterans and their families in all aspects of college life.

"We are honored to be included on this list for the second consecutive year, especially during the week in which we reflect on the service of our military veterans," Karbhari said. "We are staunchly committed to the success of all of our students, but especially those who have served our nation and now are on the path to earning their college degrees and pursuing excellence in their academic careers."

As part of UT Arlington's investment in student veterans, University College, a one-stop center for academic resources and support, offers a Student Veteran Workshop Series. The program is specially designed to meet the unique needs of student veterans.

The workshops are centered on building academic success and confronting transitional challenges. They are free and require no advanced registration. University College also provides student veterans with student veteran peer academic leaders, known as PALS.

UT Arlington's other significant efforts to support veterans include:

• The Student Veterans Assistance Center, which offers one location for advising, tutoring and counseling, assistance with completing college, financial aid and GI Bill applications.
• A collaborative effort between UT Arlington and the Department of Veterans Affairs that has placed a full-time, experienced vocational counselor in the VAC.
• As part of a $1 million investment nationwide, JP Morgan Chase in February awarded a $122,000 grant to UT Arlington to fund educational opportunities for military veterans.
• The recruitment and retention of more than 230 faculty and staff members who are military veterans. Among them, Lt. Col. Lora A. Rimmer, who the U.S. Army Cadet Command named the nation's top Professor of Military Science of the Year.
• A 2013 College of Nursing federal grant in support of increased enrollment and graduation rates for veterans.
• A new School of Social Work program to better serve veterans and active members in the military with mental health needs.
• Grants to enhance sports programming for disabled veterans through the UT Arlington wheelchair basketball team, the Movin' Mavs.

UT Arlington has one of the largest populations of student veterans and active duty military personnel in Texas, Veterans Administration surveys show. The University enrolled about 500 veterans during the 2006-07 academic year. That number more than tripled to 1,564 student veterans in fall 2013.

The Military Times organization comprises Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times and Marine Corps Times. The full rankings are available in print, and online at www.militarytimes.com.