Yellowstone Times

Montana State University (MSU) has been recognized for the fifth consecutive year as a top-10 military-friendly school, according to a survey by Militaryfriendly.com. The university placed third among Tier 2 research institutions in the rankings, which are used by veterans and military families to make informed decisions about their education.

The survey, now in its 22nd year, evaluates more than 8,800 institutions across the United States. It includes over 100 questions that assess various factors such as graduation and career outcomes, military student support and retention, financial aid, admissions, and academic policies.

Todd Bucher, the director of the Travis W. Atkins Veteran Support Center at MSU, commented on the importance of such rankings. "Military-friendly rankings serve as a guide for institutions striving to improve veteran support while helping students make informed decisions about where to pursue their education," he said. "They ultimately foster a culture of success for military-affiliated students, ensuring they have the tools and resources needed to thrive in their academic and professional journeys."

Bucher also noted that achieving a military-friendly designation can enhance the university's access to grants and scholarships for veteran support. It provides better networking opportunities and academic and career counseling for veterans than non-ranked schools. As of fall 2024, MSU has 784 military-connected students, of which 548 are veterans.

Services at MSU's Veteran Support Center include in-house tutors, a telehealth center, and free sessions with a licensed mental health counselor specializing in veteran care. "By providing top-tier resources, dedicated facilities and a strong sense of community, we ensure that veterans, military-connected students and their families have everything they need to thrive," said Bucher.

For more details on the Military Friendly School Survey, one can visit their website. Information about MSU’s services for veterans is available at https://www.montana.edu/veteran/.