Mercer University is once again ranked as a No. 1 Military Friendly® School for the 2024-2025 award year.  

The rankings, announced March 27, place Mercer top among 537 institutions across the country recognized for their military and veteran programs and initiatives. 

“You have heard us say many times that every day at Mercer University is Armed Forces Appreciation Day, and our consistent ratings and rankings affirm that skillful dedication,” said Mercer University Executive Vice President Dr. Penny Ekins. “It is with high intention and sincere effort that our faculty, staff and administration value our military and their families and are happy to be able to accommodate their educational needs as a gesture of gratitude for their service.”

Mercer first received the Military Friendly® designation in 2017 and has earned rankings in one of the four exemplary categories — Top 10 Gold, Gold, Silver or Bronze — every year since.  

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® Schools Awards designation were evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2024-2025 survey, and 537 schools earned awards level designations in Gold, Silver and Bronze. 243 were selected for "Gold" award status for their leading practices, outcomes and effective programs.

“We take great pride in providing a welcoming and accommodating environment that recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of our servicemen and servicewomen,” said Jamie Brown, director of strategic operations and student success. “This prestigious designation reaffirms our dedication to fostering an inclusive community and offering exceptional educational opportunities tailored to meet the unique needs of our military-affiliated students. This designation reaffirms our commitment to excellence and upholds our promise to serve those who have served our country so valiantly.” 

Mercer works extensively to better assist military-connected prospective students through the enrollment process in traditional residential undergraduate, adult undergraduate and graduate programs. In addition to being a Military Friendly® School, these efforts resulted in the institution being named Georgia’s first Purple Heart University and one of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges for Veterans. More information on Mercer’s alliance with the military is available atmercer.edu/military. 

The 2024-2025 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in G.I. Jobs magazine’s May and October issues and can be found atmilitaryfriendly.com. 

Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in higher education. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey responses and government/agency public data sources within a logic-based assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer), and loan default rates for all students and specifically, student veterans.