PRESS RELEASE: MARCH 31, 2025

SJR State Earns 2025-2026 Military Friendly® School Designation

2025-2026 Military Friendly® School designation

St. Johns River State College announced today that it has earned the 2025-2026 Military Friendly® School designation.

Institutions earning the Military Friendly ® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2025-2026 survey with 830 earning special awards for going above the standard.

The 2025-2026 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer) and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

According to SJR State President Joe Pickens, SJR State is committed to connecting military service members, veterans and their families with the services and resources they need to reach their personal and academic goals.

“At SJR State, we understand the unique challenges Veterans face when returning to civilian life and the importance of investing in their future,” Pickens said. “We recognize their service and strive daily to match that level of commitment as they transition into higher education and develop their strengths and skills into a new career path.”

“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the Military Community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages Institutions to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, exceeding the standard.” - Kayla Lopez, Vice President, Military Friendly®.

For more information about SJR State’s student veteran programs, visit https://www.sjrstate.edu/veterans.

Since 1958, St. Johns River State College has built a solid reputation as a full-service college dedicated to meeting the educational and workforce training needs of its Northeast Florida district. With campuses in Orange Park, Palatka and St. Augustine, SJR State is truly the community’s college, enriching a diverse population of students ranging in age from 16 to 60 and beyond. SJR State offers the Associate in Arts (transfer) degree, three bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 Associate in Science degrees and career certificates.