South Achieves Military Friendly® Status
Posted on April 11, 2025
The University of South Alabama announced today that it has earned the 2025-2026 Military Friendly® School Gold Award designation. Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2025-2026 survey. South is one of 830 institutions earning special awards for going above the standard.
South has also been designated as a Purple Heart University by the Military Order of the Purple Heart. This designation recognizes institutions that demonstrate exceptional support for military members, veterans and their families.
The 2025-2026 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and found at www.militaryfriendly.com.
“South has a proud tradition of caring for our military-affiliated students and their families, and this recognition stands as evidence that we are truly committed to ensuring the success of all of our students, but especially those who have sacrificed to defend our freedom,” said USA President Jo Bonner.
Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community.
Viqtory, founded in 2001, is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs and Military Friendly® brands.
Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence, degree advancement or transfer and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.
“Our ranking by Military Friendly® is a testament to the efforts and dedication of our administration, staff and faculty as well as our partners across campus and in the community,” said David Blair, USA Office of Military Services director.”
“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the military community,” said Kayla Lopez, vice president Military Friendly®. “This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages institutions to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, exceeding the standard.”
For more information about South’s student veteran programs, visit the Office of Military Services.
