What is the Military Friendly® Schools Survey?
The Military Friendly® Schools survey is the longest-running and most comprehensive review of college and university investments in military-affiliated students. It serves as the industry standard for measuring an institution's commitment to creating sustainable and meaningful success for veterans, service members, and their families.
1. How the Survey Works
The survey is a data-driven assessment offered at no cost to more than 8,800 institutions nationwide. The evaluation process is twofold:
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Public Data Analysis: Evaluators analyze 27 distinct public data sets from federal agencies like the Department of Education (IPEDS) and the VA GI Bill® Comparison Tool.
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Proprietary Survey Data: Institutions provide "inside-the-firewall" data regarding their specific academic policies, student support services, and retention efforts that are not always captured in public records.
2. Why the Survey Matters to Military Students
For a veteran or military spouse, choosing a school is a high-stakes decision involving the use of limited GI Bill® benefits. The survey provides a "seal of approval" that helps students identify:
Transparency in Outcomes
The survey holds schools accountable for their results. To earn a Gold, Silver, or Bronze award, schools must meet at least 3 out of 6 metrical benchmarks, including:
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Graduation and Retention rates of 50% or higher.
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Student loan default rates of 20% or lower.
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Successful job placement for veteran graduates.
Validation of Support Systems
Military students face unique challenges, such as deployments or transitioning from combat to the classroom. A Military Friendly® designation confirms that a school provides:
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Credit for Prior Learning: Evaluation of military training for ACE-recommended college credit.
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Specialized Staff: Access to VA Certifying Officials and dedicated veteran counselors.
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Flexible Policies: Absence and withdrawal policies that protect students who are called to active duty or relocation.
Protection Against "Bad Actors"
The survey cross-references school responses with the VA's Caution Flags and student complaint databases. This ensures that students are steered toward institutions in good standing and away from those under federal scrutiny for deceptive marketing or financial instability.
3. Summary of Designations
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Top 10: The highest-scoring institutions in their category (e.g., Large Public, Graduate School).
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Gold/Silver/Bronze: Tiered awards based on how many standard deviations a school’s score falls above the mean and their ability to meet qualifying benchmarks.
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Designated: Schools that meet the baseline standard based primarily on public data analysis.