Four Montana Schools Earn Top Veteran Status
Montana employers recruiting veteran talent can now see which in-state colleges rank highest for military-connected student support.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Military Jobs
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U.S. Veterans Magazine named Montana State University one of its 2026 Top Veteran Schools, with Montana State University Billings, the University of Montana, and Rocky Mountain College also receiving the 2026 recognition. The honor is relevant to veterans and military-connected students choosing where to study in Montana.
Why it matters
The recognition reflects how U.S. Veterans Magazine evaluates schools on recruitment and retention efforts, educational benefits, career development opportunities, and resources for military-connected students. For Montana employers and training providers, it signals where veteran talent is being developed and supported in the state.
Montana State University serves 914 veterans and military-connected students and was previously named a Top Military-Friendly School in 2024. The stub does not provide a comparator for these enrollment figures against other institutions or prior years.
The players
U.S. Veterans Magazine
A publication that evaluates and ranks colleges on their support for veterans and military-connected students, including recruitment, retention, and benefits.
Montana State University
A public research university in Bozeman, Montana, serving 914 veterans and military-connected students.
The details
U.S. Veterans Magazine selects Top Veteran Schools by evaluating recruitment and retention efforts, educational benefits, career development opportunities, and resources for military-connected students. Montana State University's Travis W. Atkins Veteran Support Center supports this work by offering a dedicated mental health counselor, tutoring from fellow veterans, emergency financial assistance, and help navigating Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits. The center also gives veteran students a place to connect with peers who share similar experiences.
Timeline
2024: Montana State University named a Top Military-Friendly School.
November 7, 2026: Montana State University named a 2026 Top Veteran School and the article was published.
Market Landscape
Veteran-focused school rankings such as those from U.S. Veterans Magazine give students a comparison point beyond federal benefit eligibility alone. Montana's four recognized institutions show the state's public and private colleges competing on veteran support services.
Montana employers recruiting veterans can look to these four recognized schools as sources of veteran students and graduates. HR and workforce teams may also consider referring veteran hires to campus support services that address mental health and financial needs.
The takeaway
Veteran support services at Montana universities are becoming a visible factor in how the state's schools are evaluated. Operators hiring veterans should track which programs their candidates come from and ask about campus resources when building training partnerships.
Further reading
For more on the veteran workforce pipeline, explore Military Jobs in Montana.
More information
Learn more about support for student veterans through MSU Veteran Services.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSEN AM 1150.
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