Mercer University has once again earned top national recognition for its commitment to military-connected students, ranking No. 1 as a Military Friendly^®School for the 2026-27 award year — marking the fourth consecutive year the University has received the top designation. Mercer also was ranked No. 2 nationally on the Military Spouse Friendly^®School list.

The rankings, announced March 25, recognize Mercer as a Top 10 Gold School and place it at the top among institutions nationwide recognized for their military and veteran programs and initiatives. 

“We are incredibly proud to be named the number one Military Friendly® School for the fourth year in a row,” said Mercer University Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. Lisa M. Lundquist. “This recognition affirms the deep and ongoing commitment of our faculty and staff to creating an environment where military-connected students and families can thrive academically, professionally and personally.”

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^® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 3,200 schools participated in the 2026-27 survey, with 878 earning special awards for going above the standard.

The Military Spouse Friendly^® School list for 2026-27 evaluates institutions based on their ability to support the educational needs of military spouses. Mercer was among 730 recognized, according to the 2026-2027 Military Friendly^®Schools Data Snapshot.

“This recognition reflects Mercer University’s intentional and sustained commitment to serving those who have served our country, as well as their families,” said Jamie Brown, director of strategic operations and student success. “We are dedicated to removing barriers, strengthening support systems, and creating meaningful pathways for military-connected students to achieve their academic and professional goals. Being named both a Military Friendly^® and Military Spouse Friendly^® institution affirms that our work is not only impactful, but truly transformative.”

Mercer works extensively to better assist military-connected prospective students throughout the enrollment process for 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 at mercer.edu/military. 

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

Mercer will be showcased in the 2026-27 Guide to Military Friendly Schools® in the April issue of G.I. Jobs^® magazine and on MilitaryFriendly.com.