Radford University has earned the 2026-2027 Military Friendly School designation, recognized as both a Gold Level School and a Military Spouse Friendly School. This is Radford University’s third consecutive year earning the gold designation.
The honor comes from Military Friendly, a brand created by the advocacy organization Viqtory to promote civilian opportunities for veterans. Its ratings program began in 2003 as a vehicle to encourage civilian organizations to invest in programs to recruit, retain and advance veterans as employees, entrepreneurs and students.
Institutions earning the Military Friendly Schools designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over 3,200 schools and businesses participated in the Military Friendly survey. Military Friendly determined methodology, criteria and weightings in consultation with the Military Friendly Advisory Council, a group of independent leaders in the military community. Final ratings were determined by combining an organization’s survey score, public data and an assessment of the institution’s ability to meet and exceed thresholds for student recruitment, retention, academic progress, graduation rates, career placement and support services for veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses.
“It is an honor for Radford University to be recognized as a Military Friendly Gold institution once again, but more importantly, it reflects a sustained commitment to those who have served and those who have supported them,” said Bill Wilson, director of the Radford University Military Resource Center. “These designations affirm that our work is not symbolic but is operational, intentional and student-centered. Radford remains dedicated to building systems of support that empower military-affiliated students to succeed academically, professionally and personally. This recognition reinforces our responsibility to continuously improve and to ensure that every veteran, service member, and family member feels seen, supported, and valued within our campus community.”
“Earning the Military Friendly designation is more than a badge of honor; it is a reflection of an institution’s deep-rooted values and strategic commitment to those who served,” said Kayla Lopez, vice president of memberships for Military Friendly. “These schools don’t just open doors for veterans and military spouses; they build sustainable pathways for academic success and long-term impact. Their support is transformative, proving that investing in military-connected students is both a moral imperative and a standard for educational excellence.”
Radford University
