EKU Earns No. 1 National Ranking for Military Friendly® Spouse Schools

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) has earned the top national ranking for 2026-27 Military Friendly® Spouse Schools, becoming the No. 1 large public university in the country. The university supports over 1,900 veterans, active-duty service members, Reserve/National Guard members, and their spouses and children, as of Fall 2025. EKU’s Office of Military & Veteran Affairs (OMVA) provides tailored assistance, such as scholarships, guidance for navigating VA education benefits, priority registration, academic credit for military training, and reduced tuition. These services aim to ease financial burdens and academic challenges for military-affiliated students. The ranking was determined through a survey of over 3,200 organizations, evaluating factors like recruitment, retention, academic progress, graduation rates, career placement, and support services for veterans and military spouses. EKU’s longstanding commitment to military families contributed to its distinction. Laura Maynard, a teacher and spouse of Joshua Maynard—a veteran and director of Veterans Upward Bound in OMVA—praised EKU’s support. She noted that the university simplified the process of accessing education benefits and military resources, creating a welcoming environment for military families. EKU President David McFaddin emphasized the university’s pride in this achievement, stating that supporting military students and their families has been a decades-long priority. The recognition underscores EKU’s dedication to helping military-affiliated individuals succeed academically, professionally, and personally. The full list of 2026-27 Military Friendly® Spouse Schools is available on militaryfriendly.com.