To assess the situation of free speech in higher education, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression annually conducts surveys of college undergraduates. Collaborating with College Pulse (a research organization specializing in student surveys), the foundation compiles rankings based on the findings.
We have the rankings for 2024 at hand. Below we have rounded up a list of 30 American higher education institutions’ free speech scores. Continue reading for more details.
Colleges That Strictly Disapprove of Free Speech
Here are the 15 colleges and universities that discourage free speech and even impose restrictions to the point of shutting down. We’ve jotted down some more statistical data for your better understanding of the situation.
15. Yale University
Overall score: 26.73/100
Rating: Poor
Highlights
- 75% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 56% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 62% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 4 to 1.
14. University of Central Florida
Overall score: 26.64/100
Rating: Poor
Highlights
- 64% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 47% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 63% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 2.3 to 1.
13. Central Michigan University
Overall score: 26.61/100
Rating: Poor
Highlights
- 66% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 56% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 54% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 2 to 1.
12. University of California, Davis
Overall score: 26.42/100
Rating: Poor
Highlights
- 81% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 48% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 58% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 5.9 to 1.
11. Tulane University
Overall score: 26.40/100
Rating: Poor
Highlights
- 81% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 44% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 51% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 6.4 to 1.
10. University of Texas, Austin
Overall score: 26.4
Rating: Poor
Highlights
- 72% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 51% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 58% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 4 to 1.
9. Dartmouth College
Overall score: 25.76/100
Rating: Poor
Highlights
- 73% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 55% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 56% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 4.4 to 1.
8. Duquesne University
Overall score: 25.25/100
Rating: Poor
Highlights
- 56% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 50% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 56% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 1.7 to 1.
7. Northwestern University
Overall score: 23.9
Rating: Poor
Highlights
- 68% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 44% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 61% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 5.5 to 1.
6. Skidmore College
Overall score: 23.59/100
Rating: Poor
Highlights
- 67% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 49% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 65% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 15.3 to 1.
5. Fordham University
Overall score: 21.72/100
Rating: Poor
Highlights
- 73% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 52% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 60% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 4 to 1.
4. Georgetown University
Overall score: 17.4
Rating: Very Poor
Highlights
- 84% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 59% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 54% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 3.9 to 1.
3. University of South Carolina
Overall score: 12.24/100
Rating: Very Poor
Highlights
- 62% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 47% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 57% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 1 to 1.
2. University of Pennsylvania
Overall score: 11.1
Rating: Very Poor
Highlights
- 79% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 51% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 55% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 7.7 to 1.
1. Harvard University
Overall score: 0.0/100
Rating: Abysmal
Highlights
- 70% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 53% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 58% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 3.3 to 1.
Colleges That Are Less Restrictive Towards Free Speech
Here are the 15 colleges and universities that not only allow but to some extent encourage free speech. These institutions ensure your voice is heard and you’re safe on campus.
15. Eastern Kentucky University
Overall score: 65.51/100
Rating: Above Average
Highlights
- 55% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 49% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 52% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 1.8 to 1.
14. Mississippi State University
Overall score: 65.61/100
Rating: Above Average
Highlights
- 66% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 57% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 53% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 1.1 to 1.
13. University of Chicago
Overall score: 65.95/100
Rating: Above Average
Highlights
- 69% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 47% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 60% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 3.9 to 1.
12. University of South Florida
Overall score: 66.08/100
Rating: Above Average
Highlights
- 61% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 53% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 55% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 1.7 to 1.
11. North Carolina State University
Overall score: 66.19/100
Rating: Above Average
Highlights
- 72% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 55% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 52% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 3.5 to 1.
10. University of Colorado, Boulder
Overall score: 66.54/100
Rating: Above Average
Highlights
- 52% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 54% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 52% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 3.4 to 1.
9. University of North Carolina, Greensboro
Overall score: 67.53/100
Rating: Above Average
Highlights
- 69% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 52% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 47% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 4.7 to 1.
8. George Mason University
Overall score: 67.65/100
Rating: Above Average
Highlights
- 59% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 43% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 59% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 3.4 to 1.
7. Texas A and M University
Overall score: 67.92/100
Rating: Above Average
Highlights
- 51% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 57% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 53% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 1.03 to 1.
6. University of Virginia
Overall score: 68.00/100
Rating: Above Average
Highlights
- 71% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 44% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 59% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 4.1 to 1.
5. Florida State University
Overall score: 69.64/100
Rating: Above Average
Highlights
- 60% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 52% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 58% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 1.2 to 1.
4. Oregon State University
Overall score: 71.56/100
Rating: Good
Highlights
- 49% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 50% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 52% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 2.4 to 1.
3. University of New Hampshire
Overall score: 72.17/100
Rating: Good
Highlights
- 57% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 56% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 51% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 2.4 to 1.
2. Auburn University
Overall score: 72.53/100
Rating: Good
Highlights
- 59% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 48% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 53% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 1.2 to 1.
1. Michigan Technological University
Overall score: 78.01/100
Rating: Good
Highlights
- 48% of students think shouting down a controversial campus speaker is at least rarely acceptable.
- 43% of students admit to self-censoring on campus once or twice a month.
- 55% of students expressed concerns about tarnishing their reputation as a result of others on campus misunderstanding their words or behavior.
- The ratio of liberal students to conservative students is approx 1.1 to 1.
What Do You Think?
In this post, we’ve looked at the college free speech rankings powered by FIRE. We walked through the colleges that uphold strict policies and which are more lenient about the right of free speech on campus.
Given these findings, what do you foresee for the future of free speech in higher education? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.
