UNI earns 2026-2027 Military Friendly Schools® designation

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The University of Northern Iowa has earned the 2026-27 Military Friendly® SchoolsDesignation, marking UNI's seventh year to earn this distinction. This year, UNI is honored as a Top 10 School.

Institutions earning the Military Friendly Schools® designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over 3,200 companies participated in the Military Friendly® survey.

"I continue to feel great pride in the students, faculty and staff who make UNI a great place to study for our veterans and military-affiliated learners," said Chiquita Loveless, assistant dean of students for family and military programming, who recently received a national awardfor her leadership and service to military-connected students. "Our service members are attending courses while some are still serving this great nation. This is why it is essential that they feel welcomed and valued here."

Military-affiliated students at UNI see the university's support in many ways. UNI holds an annual PTSD Awareness & Suicide Prevention Conference, which attracts many military-affiliated learners. Veteran and military students can also participate in events throughout the year that are hosted by Military & Veteran Student Services.

UNI adheres to the American Council on Education's military guidelines, allowing service members to earn college credits for courses and experiences they have taken in their branch of service. UNI also offers Green Zone Training to inform faculty, staff and students on the experience of military-affiliated learners and how they can best support them. The close-knit campus community and low student-to-faculty ratios at UNI contribute to the success of all students, including military-affiliated learners.

"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, 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. Methodology, criteria and weightings were determined by consultation with the Military Friendly®, in 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.

For more information about Military & Veteran Student Services at UNI, visit military.uni.edu.