Central Arizona College, which has campuses in Pinal County including Florence, Apache Junction and San Tan Valley, has earned the 2021-22 Bronze Military Friendly School designation.

Institutions earning the designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,200 schools participated in the 2021-22 survey with 747 earning the designation, according to a release.

The 2021-22 Military Friendly Schools list will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at militaryfriendly.com.

Methodology, criteria and weightings were determined by the company 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 response set and government/agency public data sources, within a logic based scoring assessment.

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 were measured, the release states.

“CAC is honored to receive 2021-22 Bronze Military Friendly School designation. We are committed to assisting our service members and their families, along with veterans and their spouses and dependents, to reach their educational goals,” Elizabeth Barrett, CAC military and veterans’ services school certifying official, said in the release.

“Military Friendly is committed to transparency and providing consistent data driven standards in our designation process. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to consistently evolve and invest in their programs,” Kayla Lopez, national director of military partnerships at Military Friendly, said in the release. “Schools who achieve designation show true commitment and dedication in their efforts. Our standards assist schools by providing a benchmark that promotes positive educational outcomes, resources, and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the Military Community.”

For more information about Central Arizona College’s student veteran programs, go to centralaz.edu/admissions/paying-for-college/veteran-educational-benefits or email Elizabeth.Barrett@centralaz.edu