TROY, N.Y. — Three academic programs at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have been singled out as especially veteran-friendly, according to rankings published by College Factual, a source of data analytics and insights on college outcomes.

The physics program ranked 13th out of 263 for veteran friendliness, putting Rensselaer in the top 5% of all schools in the nation when it comes to offering a quality education to veterans studying physics. Statewide, Rensselaer’s physics program ranked 2nd out of 28 colleges and universities.

Likewise, the chemical engineering program at Rensselaer ranked 18th out of 151, putting Rensselaer in the top 15% of all schools in the nation, and 4th out of 11 in New York state. Also, the mechanical engineering program ranked 18th out of 272, putting Rensselaer in the top 10% of schools nationally, and 2nd out of 18 schools in New York.

College Factual developed these rankings to highlight schools that offer quality outcomes in a specific major while also offering support and resources to help veterans and active-duty military students thrive. The rankings were based on such factors as veteran affordability, number of veterans on campus, support and on-campus resources for veterans, and overall college quality.

In its findings, College Factual also noted that, based on PayScale survey data, students who graduate from Rensselaer in physics, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering realize higher-than-average earnings both in their early career and mid-career.

Rensselaer has a strong history of collaboration with, and support of, the U.S. military. The campus hosts Reserve Officers’ Training Corps units for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The university has been educating Naval flag officers, particularly in the Civil Engineer Corps, since the 1860s, and, with the exception of the United States Naval Academy, has trained more U.S. Naval flag officers than any other school in the nation.