In higher education, one size rarely fits all. A small community college serving a tight-knit local veteran population faces entirely different operational realities, budgets, and recruitment goals than a massive Tier 1 research university. Yet, both share the same vital mission: providing top-tier support and sustainable pathways for military-connected students.
Recognizing these diverse campus landscapes, Military Friendly® has announced a major update to its school membership tiers.
Moving forward, Level 1 Membership has been expanded into three distinct options: Small, Mid, and Large. This structural change ensures that every designated institution, regardless of enrollment size or resource constraints, has a tailored, accessible pathway to maximize its military student recruitment, retention, and branding.
What’s New? Breaking Down the Level 1 Tier Options
Previously, upgrading beyond the free Basic Membership could feel like a steep jump for smaller or mid-sized schools. The new size-specific sub-tiers within Level 1 bridge that gap perfectly, creating a custom fit for every institutional footprint.
Schools can now select the exact membership scale that aligns with their institutional size and goals:
- Level 1 Small: Perfect for specialized institutions, smaller private colleges, or local community colleges looking to leverage their designation with focused branding and benchmarking.
- Level 1 Mid: Tailored for mid-sized state schools and regional universities that need robust survey insights and increased visibility without overextending their budgets.
- Level 1 Large: Built for major public university systems, sprawling community college networks, and large research institutions requiring extensive brand reach and deep data access across the military ecosystem.
Why This Matters for Your Institution
This update is a game-changer for higher education enrollment marketing and Veteran student services. Here is why your campus should take notice:
1. Equitable Access to Premium Tools
Every school that earns a Military Friendly® designation gains access to a Basic listing. However, upgrading to Level 1 unlocks vital tools like official digital logo licensing rights, survey support, and scorecard reviews. By rightsizing these memberships, smaller schools are no longer priced out of the premium resources required to optimize their military programs.
2. Smarter Benchmarking
The Military Friendly® survey relies heavily on data-driven insights. By categorizing Level 1 by institution size, schools can more effectively benchmark their Veteran retention rates, graduation outcomes, and support structures against true peers rather than unmatched educational giants.
3. Tailored Enrollment ROI
Military-connected students represent a resilient, highly motivated pipeline of learners. This update allows your institution to align its marketing spend precisely with its scale, ensuring a healthier return on investment as you build awareness in the Veteran and military spouse community.
A Quick Reminder on Designation: Earning the title of a Military Friendly® School remains entirely rules-based, formulaic, and driven by your public metrics and survey data. Paid membership levels never influence your official rating (Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Top 10). They simply give you the tools to shout your success from the rooftops and continuously improve your campus programs!
Next Steps: Upgrade Your Strategy
Whether you are looking to reverse declining civilian enrollment trends, boost Veteran graduation rates, or simply make your campus a more welcoming place for those who served, there is now a Military Friendly® membership built just for you.
