Stockton U. Again Lands in Military Friendly Top 10 Among Small Public Schools

GALLOWAY, NJ — Stockton University in Galloway has again been recognized among the top schools in the country for outreach to military veterans, earning a No. 9 ranking among small public schools nationwide in the 2025-26 Military Friendly School survey.

It marks the third straight year Stockton placed in the Top 10 and the fifth year in a row the university received a Military Friendly designation.

The university was also recognized among small public schools in the Military Spouse Friendly Survey. According to the information released by Stockton, the university is one of 878 schools in the country to receive the Military Friendly designation and one of 730 to receive the Military Spouse Friendly designation. More than 3,200 schools applied for the designation.

“This designation is not only the work of the Military and Veterans Success Center (MVSC), it reflects a coordinated, campus-wide effort,” said Michael Barany, director of the MVSC. “From Admissions and Financial Aid to Tutoring, Counseling Services and engaged faculty, Stockton has embraced a truly collaborative, campus-wide support model for military-connected students.”

Barany said that approach was especially visible over the past year with the launch of a weekly “Let’s Talk” initiative with Counseling and Psychological Services on campus. “The program features a mental health peer mentor, who is also a veteran, who provides military-connected students a chance to engage in conversations around well-being, transition and stress,” Barany said. “All in a structured yet informal space within the Veterans Lounge that is both accessible and culturally responsive.”

Stockton also said the MVSC continued hosting monthly visits from a New Jersey Department of Veteran Affairs Veteran Service Officer, providing on-campus access to state-related veteran benefits, services and resources, along with disability claims assistance, benefits counseling and advocacy services.

The center is also working on a comprehensive, data-driven assessment to better understand the needs of military-connected students. Barany said the assessment asked about academics, student life, careers after graduation, finances, health care, well-being and belonging.

“The survey is essential to making sure we’re not just assuming what our military-affiliated students need, but actually hearing directly from them,” Barany said. “By taking a comprehensive, data-driven approach, we can identify gaps, strengthen our support systems and ensure we’re providing the right resources at the right time to help these students succeed both inside and outside the classroom.”

Kayla Lopez, vice president of Memberships for Military Friendly, said schools that earn the designation provide transformative support for military-connected students. Stockton said its Military and Veteran Success Center serves more than 400 military-affiliated students by helping with education benefits, transition support, advocacy and referrals.