The University of South Carolina Beaufort has earned a silver award on the 2020 Military Friendly School list, a compilation of the top 20 percent of American colleges, universities and trade schools that provide a supportive environment for military personnel making the transition to civilian life.

The Military Friendly Silver Designation is awarded to schools that meet the requirements and score within 20 percent of the 10th ranking school in their category. Only a select group of institutions achieves this honor.

USC Beaufort earned a bronze award last year, a distinction awarded to schools that score within 30 percent of the 10th best school in their category. Schools that earn a bronze award are considered to have exceptional military/veteran programs.

The military friendly schools list is compiled annually by VIQTORY, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business. The annual ratings are assessed through an evaluation of public data about the college or university and proprietary data gathered through the annual Military Friendly Schools survey. The survey assessment is offered at no cost to more than 8,800 institutions nationwide.

Survey responses are judged on the basis of multiple categories, including academic policies and compliance, graduation and career outcomes, culture and commitment, military student support and retention, and more.

The final survey results and ratings are determined by combining an institution’s survey scores with an assessment of the institutions ability to meet minimum thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans. The benchmark is set by the score of the leading institution.