Murray State University earns 2026-2027 Military Friendly® School designation

MURRAY, Ky. — Military Friendly® has awarded Murray State University with the 2026-2027 Military Friendly® School gold-level designation and ranking as a top 10 university in the large school category. 

Murray State offers resources for military connected students such as personalized advising, career planning and placement, flexible online and weekend schedules for those who serve on active duty, disability services, free counseling services, free limited student health services and a psychological center.

The University also offers military tuition discounts for military service members using Federal Tuition Assistance. These benefits can include tuition assistance and Veterans Affairs education benefits, college credit for military training, waived fees for courses, online classes, free graduation cords for veterans, textbook and fee discounts, free admission applications as well as waived tuition costs not covered by the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance Program.

“We are deeply honored to be recognized as a Military Friendly School. This distinction reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting service members, veterans and their families through accessible education, dedicated resources, and a campus culture that values their service and sacrifice,” Murray State University President Dr. Ron K. Patterson said.

“This top 10 Military Friendly recognition is a tremendous honor for Murray State University, and one that I do not take lightly. As an Army veteran, I understand the unique challenges that come with transitioning from military service to academic life, the adjustments, the sacrifices, and the determination it takes to succeed in a completely new environment. That lived experience is what drives everything we do in the Office of Veteran and Military Student Success,” said Office of Veteran and Military Student Success Director Josh Williams. “I also speak from a deeply personal place as a Murray State graduate and current graduate student myself. Murray State is not just where I work; it is where I chose to build my own academic journey and build my family. I have sat in these classrooms, walked these halls, and experienced firsthand the welcoming and supportive community that this University offers. That is exactly why I am so passionate about ensuring our military students and veterans receive that same sense of belonging and opportunity that Murray State gave me.”

“I am very proud of the services and programs Murray State University provides our veteran and veteran dependent students through the leadership of our Office of Veteran and Military Student Success,” Murray State Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Dr. Don Robertson said. “To receive this ranking is a reflection of the staffs' leadership and concern for these students. This ranking shows the value we place on these students and our desire for them to have a successful experience from enrollment to graduation.”

Said Murray State University student and Occupational Safety and Health major Judah Arnold: “You don’t just run into a firefight without a team, and you don’t just handle the kind of change from military to civilian education without a team to support you. That’s exactly what the VMSS team does. I honestly was more intimidated by school than some of the worst encounters I experienced in my 13 years of Marine Corps duty. I went to orientation and met the VMSS team, and they walked me through everything. They set up my benefits, helped me sign up for classes, and I walked away reassured that they were the team I needed for this mission. Three years later I still come to school early to grab a fine cup of coffee and see who is in the new lounge to talk about anything with. I have a place where I can go to connect with others who are going through the same transition.”

“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. 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,” said Kayla Lopez, Vice President of Memberships at Military Friendly®. 

Added Williams: “To see Murray State recognized among the top 10 Military Friendly universities in the nation is a reflection of the hard work, dedication and genuine care that this entire University community pours into supporting our military students, veterans and their families every single day. From our faculty and staff to our academic programs and support services, this is truly a team effort, and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has made this possible.

But for me, this recognition also carries a deeply personal responsibility. I know what it means to serve. I know what it means to need a community that has your back. And as someone who has experienced Murray State as a student, a veteran, and now as a member of this faculty and staff, I am committed to ensuring that every veteran and service member who walks through our doors finds exactly that; a place where their service is honored, their goals are supported, and their success is our mission.

This award does not mark a finish line, it marks a renewed commitment. Our military students deserve nothing less than our very best, and this recognition inspires me, and all of us at Murray State, to continue raising the bar for how we serve those who have served our nation and their families.”

The 2026-2027 Military Friendly® Schools list can be found at militaryfriendly.com. 

For more information about Murray State University’s student veteran and military success programs, visit murraystate.edu/veterans.

About Military Friendly®:  Military Friendly® is the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefits for the military community. Over 2,900 organizations compete annually for the Military Friendly® designation. Military Friendly® is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business. Military Friendly® is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or the federal government. Results are produced via a rules-based algorithm. The data-driven Military Friendly® lists and methodology can be found at militaryfriendly.com.