WKU News

After being named a Military Friendly® School for the past 17 years, Western Kentucky University is excited to announce that it has been designated a Top Ten 2026-2027 Military Friendly® and Military Spouse Friendly School, a distinction that recognizes the institution’s outstanding commitment to serving military-connected students. WKU is listed as the 10^th best large public university on the Military Friendly list and the 6^th best large public on the Military Spouse Friendly list.

The Military Friendly® School designation is awarded based on public data and responses to a comprehensive survey. The full list of this year’s Military Friendly® Schools is available online at www.militaryfriendly.com.

Director of WKU Military Student Services Kent Johnson says, “We are honored to be recognized with the Top Ten 2026-2027 Military Friendly® and Military Spouse Friendly School rankings. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and faculty, as well as the support that the administration of the university provides in the service of supporting those who serve. It also speaks to the quality of students enrolled at Western Kentucky University, as well as the top tier educational experience they receive that is focused on applied learning and career development.”

He continues, “At WKU, our approach to student support is informed by the student experience. Our students have unique opportunities to be involved in shaping their environment and advocating for support that is tailored to their needs. This student involvement can come in many forms, such as active participation in student organizations like the Military Connected Students of WKU. We work closely with these students to learn about their experience and to hear from them as to what their needs are. We then use the perspective, and the knowledge gained to gauge our approach and inform our decision making on how we develop initiatives and programs to support them. This student focused approach is a hallmark of the WKU experience, and I believe is what is reflected in our legacy of being recognized as a Military Friendly® School for the past 17 years.”

The designation process incorporates input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council. They evaluate schools based on criteria such as student retention, graduation rates, job placement, loan repayment, persistence, and default rates for all students, especially veterans.

WKU’s Military Student Services office provides a robust suite of dedicated support programs, including:

·       Textbooks for Troops®: A flagship initiative that alleviates financial burdens by providing textbook support to eligible students.

·       Federal Assistance Navigation: Expert guidance on maximizing federal tuition assistance programs.

·       Veteran Resource Center: A centralized hub for community, connection, and academic support.

To further accessibility, WKU offers a discounted tuition rate of $250 per credit hour for all Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard members at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Support is extended to military spouses and dependents; plus, high school juniors and seniors can access Dual Credit courses at a significant discount. Additionally, the Military Connected Students of WKU provides dedicated advocacy for all military-affiliated students.

To learn more about WKU’s services for military-affiliated students or to find out how you can support these initiatives, visit wku.edu/veterans.