University of Dubuque Recognized for Commitment to Military Community

DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque has once again been recognized as a top school in the country for its commitment to student veterans and others in the military community.

UD was designated a 2025-2026 Top 10 Military Friendly® School and a 2025-2026 Top 10 Military Spouse Friendly® School, both placing sixth in the private offering doctorate category.

"The University of Dubuque is a perennial recipient of a Military Friendly® School designation with it more often than not being ranked in the Top 10 and previously being named Number 1," said Retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Rick Ernst, director of UD's Sergeant Jeffrey B. Dodge Veterans Center. "This year, our sixth place in the category of private offering doctorate is indicative of our commitment to our veterans and their family members. That includes this year's ranking of sixth in our category for Military Spouse Friendly® School as well. The University of Dubuque is a proud supporter of our military, veterans, and their families."

UD has long been recognized as a Military Friendly® School. It has been designated as such a school every year except one since 2011.

"I'm not surprised at all. Between the stellar job Rick Ernst does to ensure veterans can maximize their benefits and the University's commitment to the Yellow Ribbon Program, it's a no-brainer," said Nathan Knutson, a senior flight operations major who walked at UD's Spring Commencement April 26, 2025.

Knutson is one of the 143 military-affiliated students at UD. He joined the Active Duty Air Force in 2015 as an F-16 Crew Chief. In 2022, he separated from Active Duty and joined the Wisconsin Air National Guard as a Drill Status Guardsman so he could attend UD. He is currently a Technical Sergeant (E-6).

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using 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.

UD offers unparalleled support to its student veterans. That commitment dates back to World War II with the Navy's V5/V12 programs and continues today with a vibrant Army ROTC Eagle Detachment as well as a veteran support group for those studying on campus. UD is a Yellow Ribbon School, a Vietnam War Commemoration Partner, and a Homebase Iowa employer.

Additionally, this year, the Sergeant Jeffrey B. Dodge Veterans Center will celebrate 10 years of service. The veterans center is one of the largest in the region and has study rooms, computers, a media hub, gaming systems, a lounge, and a kitchen. It's where Ernst provides student veterans assistance to ensure they receive all their entitled benefits.

"The number one resource that has helped me get the most out of my education at the University of Dubuque is the Sergeant Jeffrey B. Dodge Veterans Center," Knutson said. "It provides a quiet space for studying and serves as a catalyst for camaraderie with other student veterans."

The 2025-2026 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May and October issues of G.I. Jobs magazine. The list can also be 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.

"Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process," said 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."

For more information about resources available to student veterans at UD, please visit http://www.dbq.edu/Veterans/.