In an ongoing effort to understand the state of free speech within higher education, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a nonprofit dedicated to upholding the freedom of speech and thought for all Americans, has collaborated with College Pulse for the fourth consecutive year.
This partnership has once again completed a survey targeting college undergraduates, that gathered insights into their experiences and perceptions related to free speech on their campuses.
The proceeding rankings is what they discovered regarding the state of free speech across America’s higher education institutions.
25 Colleges That Hate Free Speech
Here are the top 25 colleges and universities where free speech is not encouraged and even shut down.
#25 – New York University
Rating: Below Average
Overall score: 32.26/100
Highlights
- 65% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 51% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 47% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 6.3 liberal students.
#24 – Indiana University
Rating: Below Average
Overall score: 13.51/100
Highlights
- 63% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 49% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 54% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 1.6 liberal students.
#23 – Grinnell College
Rating: Below Average
Overall score: 31.32/100
Highlights
- 87% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 56% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 77% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 24.7 liberal students.
#22 – University of New Mexico
Rating: Below Average
Overall score: 31.22/100
Highlights
- 68% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 50% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 46% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 2.3 liberal students.
#21 – Binghamton University
Rating: Below Average
Overall score: 30.92/100
Highlights
- 68% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 45% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 57% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 4.5 liberal students.
#20 – Boston College
Rating: Poor
Overall score: 29.94/100
Highlights
- 61% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 57% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 60% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 1.9 liberal students.
#19 – Marquette University
Rating: Poor
Overall score: 29.60/100
Highlights
- 65% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 55% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 59% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 2.0 liberal students.
#18 – University of Florida
Rating: Poor
Overall score: 29.37/100
Highlights
- 61% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 52% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 52% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 2.4 liberal students.
#17 – Portland State University
Rating: Poor
Overall score: 27.88/100
Highlights
- 65% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 46% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 44% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 3.9 liberal students.
#16 – Middlebury College
Rating: Poor
Overall score: 27.63/100
Highlights
- 74% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 47% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 62% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 7.8 liberal students.
#15 – Yale University
Rating: Poor
Overall score: 26.73/100
Highlights
- 75% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 56% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 62% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 4.0 liberal students.
#14 – University of Central Florida
Rating: Poor
Overall score: 26.64/100
Highlights
- 64% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 47% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 63% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 2.3 liberal students.
#13 – Central Michigan University
Rating: Poor
Overall score: 26.61/100
Highlights
- 66% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 56% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 54% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 2.0 liberal students.
#12 – University of California, Davis
Rating: Poor
Overall score: 26.42/100
Highlights
- 81% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 48% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 58% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 5.9 liberal students.
#11 – Tulane University
Rating: Poor
Overall score: 26.40/100
Highlights
- 81% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 44% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 51% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 6.4 liberal students.
#10 – University of Texas, Austin
Rating: Poor
Overall score: 26.38/100
Highlights
- 72% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 51% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 58% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 4.0 liberal students.
#9 – Dartmouth College
Rating: Poor
Overall score: 25.76/100
Highlights
- 73% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 55% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 56% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 4.4 liberal students.
#8 – Duquesne University
Rating: Poor
Overall score: 25.25/100
Highlights
- 56% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 50% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 56% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 1.7 liberal students.
#7 – Northwestern University
Rating: Poor
Overall score: 23.95/100
Highlights
- 68% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 44% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 61% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 5.5 liberal students.
#6 – Skidmore College
Rating: Poor
Overall score: 23.59/100
Highlights
- 67% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 49% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 65% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 15.3 liberal students.
#5 – Fordham University
Rating: Poor
Overall score: 21.72/100
Highlights
- 73% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 52% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 60% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 4.0 liberal students.
#4 – Georgetown University
Rating: Very Poor
Overall score: 17.45/100
Highlights
- 84% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 59% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 52% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 3.9 liberal students.
#3 – University of South Carolina
Rating: Very Poor
Overall score: 12.24/100
Highlights
- 62% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 47% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 57% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there is one liberal student.
#2 – University of Pennsylvania
Rating: Very Poor
Overall score: 11.13/100
Highlights
- 79% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 51% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 55% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 7.7 liberal students.
#1 – Harvard University
Rating: Abysmal
Overall score: 0.0/100
Highlights
- 70% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 53% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 58% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 3.3 liberal students.
25 Colleges That Encourage Free Speech
Here are the top 25 colleges and universities where free speech is allowed and encouraged.
#25 – New Jersey Institute of Technology
Rating: Slightly Above Average
Overall score: 58.87/100
Highlights
- 45% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 44% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 46% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 1.7 liberal students.
#24 – East Carolina University
Rating: Slightly Above Average
Overall score: 59.68/100
Highlights
- 61% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 46% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 46% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 1.6 liberal students.
#23 – Carnegie Mellon University
Rating: Above Average
Overall score: 61.47/100
Highlights
- 73% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 42% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 60% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 2.9 liberal students.
#22 – University at Buffalo
Rating: Above Average
Overall score: 62.20/100
Highlights
- 64% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 54% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 54% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 2.7 liberal students.
#21 – University of North Carolina, Charlotte
Rating: Above Average
Overall score: 62.54/100
Highlights
- 70% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 49% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 52% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 2.6 liberal students.
#20 – Washington and Lee University
Rating: Above Average
Overall score: 62.99/100
Highlights
- 58% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 50% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 65% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 1.2 liberal students.
#19 – University of Maryland
Rating: Above Average
Overall score: 63.00/100
Highlights
- 58% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 58% of students say they have rarely or never self-censored on campus.
- 58% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 3.2 liberal students.
#18 – Kansas State University
Rating: Above Average
Overall score: 63.35/100
Highlights
- 55% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 52% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 62% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one liberal student, there are roughly 1.3 consertvative students.
#17 – University of Missouri, St. Louis
Rating: Above Average
Overall score: 64.88/100
Highlights
- 54% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 36% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 44% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 1.9 liberal students.
#16 – Northern Arizona University
Rating: Above Average
Overall score: 65.34/100
Highlights
- 56% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 48% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 57% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 1.9 liberal students.
#15 – Eastern Kentucky University
Rating: Above Average
Overall score: 65.51/100
Highlights
- 55% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 49% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 52% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 1.8 liberal students.
#14 – Mississippi State University
Rating: Above Average
Overall score: 65.61/100
Highlights
- 66% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 57% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 53% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 1.1 liberal students.
#13 – University of Chicago
Rating: Above Average
Overall score: 65.95/100
Highlights
- 69% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 47% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 60% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 3.9 liberal students.
#12 – University of South Florida
Rating: Above Average
Overall score: 66.08/100
Highlights
- 61% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 53% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 55% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 1.7 liberal students.
#11 – North Carolina State University
Rating: Above Average
Overall score: 66.19/100
Highlights
- 72% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 55% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 52% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 3.5 liberal students.
#10 – University of Colorado, Boulder
Rating: Above Average
Overall score: 66.54/100
Highlights
- 52% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 54% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 52% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 3.4 liberal students.
#9 – University of North Carolina, Greensboro
Rating: Above Average
Overall score: 67.53/100
Highlights
- 69% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 52% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 47% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 4.7 liberal students.
#8 – George Mason University
Rating: Above Average
Overall score: 67.65/100
Highlights
- 59% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 43% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 59% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 3.4 liberal students.
#7 – Texas A&M University
Rating: Above Average
Overall score: 67.92/100
Highlights
- 51% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 57% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 53% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 1.03 liberal students.
#6 – University of Virginia
Rating: Above Average
Overall score: 68.00/100
Highlights
- 71% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 44% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 59% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 4.1 liberal students.
#5 – Florida State University
Rating: Above Average
Overall score: 69.64/100
Highlights
- 60% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 52% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 58% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 1.2 liberal students.
#4 – Oregon State University
Rating: Good
Overall score: 71.56/100
Highlights
- 49% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 50% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 52% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 2.4 liberal students.
#3 – University of New Hampshire
Rating: Good
Overall score: 72.17/100
Highlights
- 57% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 56% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 51% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 2.4 liberal students.
#2 – Auburn University
Rating: Good
Overall score: 72.53/100
Highlights
- 59% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 48% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 53% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one liberal student, there are roughly 1.2 conservative students.
#1 – Michigan Technological University
Rating: Good
Overall score: 78.01/100
Highlights
- 48% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
- 43% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
- 55% of students say they are worried about damaging their reputation because someone misunderstands something they have said or done.
- For every one conservative student, there are roughly 1.1 liberal students.
What Do You Think?
In light of the survey results, how do you envision the future of free speech in higher education? What steps should be taken today to foster a more inclusive and expressive campus environment for generations to come?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
