Montana State University Named Top Military-Friendly School

MSU recognized for its continued investment in supporting student veterans on campus.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:00pm

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Montana State University has been named the No. 1 military-friendly school in the country by Militaryfriendly.com, a prestigious ranking that recognizes the university's efforts to support its growing community of veteran and military-connected students.

Why it matters

The top ranking signals that MSU is a place where veteran and military-connected students can successfully transition into academic life, build community, and pursue meaningful careers after their service. It highlights the university's commitment to providing clear guidance on education benefits, strong academic and wellness support, and dedicated spaces for this student population.

The details

MSU has consistently placed as a top-five military-friendly school, but this is the first year the university has earned the No. 1 spot in the tier one research institution category. The rankings are determined by public data and a survey filled out by each school, gauging factors like military student support, retention, graduation and career outcomes, financial aid, and campus culture. MSU currently enrolls around 750 veterans and military-connected students, with 650 using VA education benefits.

  • MSU was named the No. 1 military-friendly school in the country this spring (2026).
  • Last year, MSU earned a No. 3 ranking in the military-friendly school category.

The players

Montana State University

A tier one research institution that has been recognized as the top military-friendly university in the country.

Todd Bucher

The director of the Travis W. Atkins Veteran Support Center at MSU.

Taryn Nell

A 33-year-old U.S. Army Ranger veteran who is now a sophomore computer engineering student at MSU.

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What they’re saying

“Being ranked No. 1 in the nation shows that MSU is not only welcoming these students but also actively investing in their success and their time here at MSU.”

— Todd Bucher, Director of the Travis W. Atkins Veteran Support Center

“The great staff here at the Vet Center, day in and day out, they're always reaching out to us, seeing how they can improve the center and the benefits that we can get from school. Having such great people who actually care really makes a difference. At the end of the day, it gives you a sense of home, and that is huge for veterans who may have never felt that way about a place before.”

— Taryn Nell, U.S. Army Ranger Veteran and MSU Student

What’s next

MSU's spouse rankings for military-friendly schools will be released in June 2026.

The takeaway

Montana State University's recognition as the top military-friendly school in the country underscores its commitment to supporting veteran and military-connected students through dedicated resources, community-building, and a welcoming campus culture that helps this population successfully transition into academic life and pursue meaningful careers.