George Mason recognized as a top Military Friendly university

George Mason University has again been recognized for its steadfast commitment to veterans, servicemembers, and military-connected families, earning its latest Silver ranking as a Military Friendly® School for the 2026-27 academic year.

The annual honor recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate excellence in serving military communities. Results are published on MilitaryFriendly.com and featured in publications including G.I. Jobs, Military Spouse, and Vetrepreneur magazines.

"The Office of Military Services is proud of this ranking," said Jennifer Connors, director of the Office of Military Services. "Our team works tirelessly to support our military and veteran families as a single point of contact. The increasing complexity around benefits has created challenges for students and families, underscoring the importance of having experienced staff to meet growing demand."

Nearly 14% of George Mason's more than 40,000 students are current or former military members or military dependents. This past fall, 20% of new undergraduate and 25% of incoming graduate students were military-connected, making George Mason a leading destination for military-affiliated students throughout Northern Virginia and the metropolitan Washington, D.C., region.

Many of these students rely on their education benefits to pursue their academic goals. George Mason has seen a 41% increase in students using VA benefits over the past three years. Over that same period, there has also been a 146% increase in veterans attending under the Veteran Readiness and Employment Chapter 31 Program, which serves those with service-connected disabilities. Supporting those who have served has long been a priority at George Mason, as evidenced by the university's recognition as a national leader for veterans and military-affiliated students.

Most recently, George Mason led all Virginia colleges and universities in four of its six veteran-focused online graduate programs according to U.S. News & World Report. Standout performers include the master's in business and master's in nursing programs for veterans, both ranked No. 1 in Virginia. Overall, four of the six veteran-focused programs included in the rankings placed in the top 20 nationally, with all six placing in the top 50.

In addition, George Mason provides comprehensive support for military-connected students and their families, grounded in an understanding of the unique academic, professional, and lived experiences they bring to campus. Through the Military, Veterans, and Families Initiative (MVFI) and the Office of Military Services, students connect with academic advising, career preparation, and regional resources tailored to the realities of military service and transition.

"George Mason is committed to leveraging the full breadth of its strengths as a public research university to support the military and veteran community through education, research, and community engagement," said Keith Renshaw, MVFI director, senior associate provost for undergraduate education, and psychology professor. "This ranking is a testament to the incredible faculty and staff who work every day to make the student experience of service members, veterans, and their family members at George Mason as accessible and supportive as possible."

Additional information about Military Friendly® rankings can be found here.