This year we will make public the results of our eligibility assessment of public data for schools against the Military Friendly® School standard in an effort to provide members of the military community with the latest, most comprehensive information possible as they decide how to use their veteran education benefits.
The Military Friendly Schools survey is made up of 2 components. Each component has its own designation. You do not have to complete both components in the survey. If you choose to complete 1 of the 2 components this will qualify your organization for the related Military Friendly designation. We encourage all schools to participate in both components but it is not a requirement.
Schools are scored and compared against their peer group and divided into categories in this process. At the beginning of the survey, you will be asked categorical questions. Please complete them according to your school’s Carnegie Classification.
Schools are compared to other like institutions in the scoring process. There is a Top Ten set of schools in each category. These schools determine the scoring curve and benchmark for the other schools in their category for the survey cycle year. Each year the weighting for categories are adjusted to reflect the positive outcomes and progress achieved by the Top schools the year prior. This allows the Military Friendly Schools Benchmark to continue to rise and encourage program evolution at all institutions.
Award Categories:
Each scoring category will have benchmarks in place for award levels and designations. The award levels identified in each category are:
Every year the scoring standard for designation increases. These increases are determined and set by the top institutions in each category. This means that the following year the top ten designations will be more competitive as schools evolving in their programs show positive outcomes in the identified key success indicators. Our surveys are strictly data and policy driven, they account for positive outcomes that lead to gainful employment and meaningful education. We take into account public data to verify information provided. Federal flags, warnings, or program accreditation issues will have an impact on your eligibility. Please contact the agency displaying the flag for more information or if you feel the flag is an error.
There is no limit to the number of surveys a school can submit if you feel as though there was an error in your submission, or have found that public data available about your institution was in error, your school can resubmit a survey for a rescore. Please request a link using the link below:
Military Friendly® Schools Survey Request
The MFS scoring has 6 focus areas. Each scoring category has specific weighting towards your overall score. The weighting is adjusted each year to encourage list diversity and focus on best practices from institutions named top ten from the prior cycle. These categories are created using the feedback from the Military Friendly School advisory council and historical data.
To register your school please visit:
Military Friendly® Schools Survey Request
Click here to download a PDF copy of the survey questions. The PDF contains help documentation for each question within the survey.
No. There is no cost or fee for participating in our Military Friendly® surveys, nor in the publication of our survey results and ratings.
Advertising in any Viqtory publication is not a part of our assessment process, nor is it a factor in qualifying for the Military Friendly® designation. For more information on how the lists are derived, see the methodology section of our site. Organizations that qualify for the Military Friendly® designation are listed on our website and in our print guides at no cost.
Note: In the spirit of Better for Veterans, Viqtory does not accepting advertising from any school that is not eligible for Military Friendly(R) School designation. The definition of eligibility for Military Friendly Schools designation can be found here: Military Friendly Schools methodology.
Metric Qualification
One of the most important components of the Survey is meeting the metrical benchmarks. Many
institutions fall short or do not even fill these sections out. An institution must meet 3/6 of the
benchmarks below. If you do not complete the Metrics section you will not qualify for designation.
The data submitted in this area will be compared against public data sources, your metrics must be
within 10% of the aggregate data collected. During this evaluation, your school may receive a flag if
the data does not fall within 10% of the aggregate numbers in each category. If you receive a flag,
you will be required to submit documentation supporting your metrics and you will be required to
resubmit your survey again during the designated recording period in order to qualify for designation
after a flag is received.
● Graduation rate for all students or veteran students alone is 50% or higher
● 1 year retention rate for all students or veteran students alone is 50% or higher
● 2 year retention rate for all students or veteran students alone is 50% or higher
● Loan default rate for all students or veteran students alone is 20% or lower
● Job placement rate for all students or veteran students alone is 50% or higher
● Transfer rate for all students or veteran students alone is 50% or higher (Community
Colleges)
There are many benefits to being named a Military Friendly organization. Once your survey has been scored and evaluated if you have been designated your will be notified via email. We will provide you with Logos relevant to your awards, press release templates, standard verbiage, and social tags. Your organization will also be printed in the Military Friendly editions of GIJOBS. These releases in the publication will vary depending on your designation category.
The GIJOBS team will reach out with more details and opportunities to market your organization within their channels. You are not obligated to participate in marketing and advertising options. GIJOBS is a separate division of our parent company, there is no cost to participate or be designated as Military Friendly.
Metric Qualification
One of the most important components of the Survey is meeting the metrical benchmarks. Many
institutions fall short or do not even fill these sections out. An institution must meet 3/6 of the
benchmarks below. If you do not complete the Metrics section you will not qualify for designation.
The data submitted in this area will be compared against public data sources, your metrics must be
within 10% of the aggregate data collected. During this evaluation, your school may receive a flag if
the data does not fall within 10% of the aggregate numbers in each category. If you receive a flag,
you will be required to submit documentation supporting your metrics and you will be required to
resubmit your survey again during the designated recording period in order to qualify for designation
after a flag is received.
● Graduation rate for all students or veteran students alone is 50% or higher
● 1 year retention rate for all students or veteran students alone is 50% or higher
● 2 year retention rate for all students or veteran students alone is 50% or higher
● Loan default rate for all students or veteran students alone is 20% or lower
● Job placement rate for all students or veteran students alone is 50% or higher
● Transfer rate for all students or veteran students alone is 50% or higher (Community
Colleges)
For the purposes of this question, “retention rate” is defined as the percentage of the full-time cohort from the prior year
minus exclusions that re-enrolled at the institution as either full- or part-time in the current year. Retention rate is the
percentage of a school’s first-time, first-year undergraduate students who continue at that school the next year. When
calculating this percentage for your military population do not use the “First time” metric (Most military students come in with
credit for military experience).
For example, a student who studies full-time in the fall semester and keeps on studying in the program in the next fall
semester is counted in this rate. Use date from your last fall cohort or use your latest IPEDs Information. Cohort completion
rate is acceptable for programs that are shorter than 2 years.
This information can be found via public resources visit : https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
For the purposes of this question, “transfer rate” is defined as; The percentage of a school’s first-time, first-year
undergraduate students who transfer to another college within 150% of the published time for the program. For
example, a student who is in a four-year degree program is counted as a transfer if the student goes to another
college within six years. Use date from your last June to August Cohort or use your latest IPEDs Information.
This information can be found via public resources visit : https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
For the purposes of this question, “graduation rate” is defined as; The percentage of a school’s first-time, first-year
undergraduate students who complete their program within 150% of the published time for the program. For example,
for a four year degree program, entering students who complete within six years are counted as graduates. Use date
from your last June to August cohort or use your latest IPEDs Information.
When calculating this metric for your military students please remove the “First-time” filter, most military
students will be coming in with previous credit.
This information can be found via public resources visit : https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
For the purposes of this question, “job placement rate” is defined as the percentage of students who, within 180 days of the
day they received their degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential in a given year, obtained gainful
employment in the recognized occupation for which they were trained or in a related, comparable, recognized occupation.
This information can be found via public resources visit : https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
Your schools survey must be submitted using the unique link provided to you by email. If you need your link resent please submit a request using the support form at www.militaryfriendly.com/Support Please ensure you choose the schools tab before submitting your request. You should receive an instant response, please check your spam folder if you do not see the email in your inbox straight away.
There are many benefits to being named a Military Friendly organization. Once your survey has been scored and evaluated if you have been designated your will be notified via email. We will provide you with Logos relevant to your awards, press release templates, standard verbiage, and social tags. Your organization will also be printed in the Military Friendly editions of GIJOBS. These releases in the publication will vary depending on your designation category.
The GIJOBS team will reach out with more details and opportunities to market your organization within their channels. You are not obligated to participate in marketing and advertising options. GIJOBS is a separate division of our parent company, there is no cost to participate or be designated as Military Friendly.
For the purposes of this question, “loan default rate” is defined as; A cohort default rate is a percentage of a school’s
borrowers in the US who enter repayment on certain loans during a federal fiscal year (October 1 to September 30) and
default prior to the end of the next one to two fiscal years.
This information can be found via public resources visit : https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
For the purposes of this question, “median student loan debt” is defined as the median amount of federal student loans
borrowed for students’ education at the institution.
Only include the Veterans Affairs (VA) certifying official if that person also provides information to military
servicemembers and veterans about programs and services available to them. A dedicated advisor is considered a knowledgeable advisory dedicated to addressing he unique needs and success of your military students.
They are the first line of support and functions as your personal advocate for issues related to program requirements, course materials, university policies and anything else that may impact your academic experience. If you are a military Veteran, you have the added support of our experienced staff who will help you navigate the policies and resources specific to your military status.
The Codes and identifiers we are requesting can be found on the GIBill Comparison tool at the bottom of your school’s profile page. These numbers are used to identify your institution across multiple datasets. An error in this information can result in your school’s data being pooled incorrectly. Please make sure the information you are submitting is accurate, this can not be edited or modified after your submission. If an error is made you will be required to resubmit your
survey from a new unique survey link and your survey may not be scored.
Link to the GIBill Comparison Tool: https://www.va.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool/
The FAC and OPE ID Codes we are requesting can be found on the GIBill Comparison tool at the bottom of your school’s profile page, your OPEID can be found on the college navigator tool. These numbers are used to identify your institution across multiple datasets. An error in this information can result in your school’s data being pooled incorrectly. Please make sure the information you are submitting is accurate, this can not be edited or modified after your submission. If an error is made you will be required to resubmit your survey from a new unique survey link and your survey may not be scored.
Link to the GIBill Comparison Tool: https://www.va.gov/gi-bill-comparison-tool/
Link to the College Navigator Tool: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
To verify your institution’s IPEDS ID, visit the IPEDS website. https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
THIS INFORMATION IS USED TO COMPARE YOUR INSTITUTION WITH PUBLIC DATASETS. AN ERROR CAN RESULT IN INACCURATE INFORMATION ASSOCIATION. PLEASE VERIFY THE NUMBER YOU ARE SUBMITTING IS THE SAME AS WHAT IS LISTED IN YOUR SCHOOLS PROFILE.
Please use your schools Carnegie Classification. For more information visit: https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/
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