Military Life Factors Associated with Educational Attainment Among Military Spouses

This study assessed military life factors associated with initiation and completion of postsecondary degrees among military spouses. We used data on military spouses from the Millennium Cohort Family Study (2011–2013) matched to National Student Clearinghouse data on postsecondary degree enrollment and completion. Using Cox proportional hazard models, we found that sex, age, military life stress, family responsibilities, and financial stress were significant predictors of degree completion. Using accelerated-failure time models, we further found that the spouse’s age, number of deployments, and military experience were significant predictors of time to graduation. The findings shed light on the unique challenges of degree attainment faced by one category of nontraditional students—military spouses.