Stetson Law Recognized as Top 10 Military Friendly® School

A meeting room with six Veterans Law Clinic students sitting around an oval-shaped wooden table.
Many students who work with Stetson’s Veterans Advocacy Clinic are themselves veterans who are passionate about giving back to others who have served.

After numerous years of earning a Military Friendly® School designation, Stetson Law is now rated a Top 10 Military Friendly School for 2025-2026, the organization announced.

This elevated status parallels the College of Law’s growing efforts to support individuals who have served our nation, particularly those who choose to pursue legal education.

Resources the college offers veteran students include the Veterans Law Institute (VLI), staff specially trained to navigate veterans’ educational benefits, and the Student Veteran Organization – all tailored to foster a supportive environment in which they can thrive.

“Stetson Law’s move into the top ten military friendly schools is the result of hard work by the entire Stetson Law community,” said Law Professor and VLI Director Stacey-Rae Simcox.  “We are dedicated to ensuring a bright future for the veterans who choose Stetson and look forward to welcoming many more of these quality students to the Stetson family.”

The college ranked #8 in the Top 10 Military Friendly Schools and #9 on the list of Top 10 Military Spouse Friendly Schools.

An external shot of Stetson Law's Veterans Law Institute
The exterior of Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute in Gulfport, Fla.

How the rankings work

For the 2025-2026 ranking period, more than 1,800 schools were evaluated using a variety of factors, including public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Some 830 institutions earned the Military Friendly® School designation for going above the organization standard.

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

With input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community, the firm Viqtory developed the methodology, criteria, and weightings. To determine the final ratings, institutions’ survey scores were combined with the assessment of institutions’ ability to meet thresholds for data points like student retention, graduation, job placement, and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

Professor Stacey-Rae Simcox meets with students working with the Veterans Advocacy Clinic.
Professor Stacey-Rae Simcox meets with students working with the Veterans Advocacy Clinic.

“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process, Kayla Lopez, vice president of Military Friendly®. “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.”

At Stetson Law, honoring those who have served is part of the campus culture – but the college endeavors to extend this support to the broader veteran community.

Through its Veterans Advocacy Clinic, the college offers pro bono legal services to veterans seeking benefits they feel were wrongly denied. With guidance from seasoned VLI staff and leadership, students enrolled in the clinic gain hands-on experience helping those who have served.

Learn more about Stetson’s Veterans Law Institute and Veterans Advocacy Clinic.

Post date: April 23

Media contact: Kate Bradshaw
[email protected] | 727-430-1580
«