Presented by FIRE and College Pulse, the 2025 College Free Speech Rankings is the largest survey of campus free expression ever performed.
The largest report of its kind, the 2025 College Free Speech Rankings draw from more than 58,000 student responses representing more than 250 colleges and universities nationwide and are designed to help parents and prospective students choose the right school.
The largest report of its kind, the rankings draw from more than 58,000 student responses representing more than 250 colleges and universities nationwide and are designed to help parents and prospective students choose the right school.
| Rank | School | Overall | Speech Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Virginia Public | 73.41/100 | Green |
| 2 | Michigan Technological University Public | 73.15/100 | Green |
| 3 | Florida State University Public | 72.46/100 | Green |
| 4 | Eastern Kentucky University Public | 69.60/100 | Green |
| 5 | Georgia Institute of Technology Public | 69.39/100 | Green |
| 6 | Claremont McKenna College Private | 69.15/100 | Green |
| 7 | North Carolina State University - Raleigh Public | 68.44/100 | Green |
| 8 | Oregon State University Public | 67.26/100 | Green |
| 9 | University of North Carolina - Charlotte Public | 66.51/100 | Green |
| 10 | Mississippi State University Public | 66.14/100 | Green |
After the October 7 attack on Israel, Columbia University faced demands from multiple powerful constituencies with vehement and irreconcilable positions.
All three schools earned an “abysmal” rating, with two coming in below zero for their chilly speech climate.
A bottom three finish in the free speech rankings and repeated punishment of expression: Something is rotten at New York University.
Harvard got the lowest score ever in 2024 while Michigan Tech soared. Read our deep dives into the free speech climates on college campuses.
WATCH VIDEO: The 2024 College Free Speech Rankings are out!
FIRE is dedicated to evaluating schools every year for their commitment to free speech. We want you to know what your campus will be like before you get there, and we also want you to know what you can do about it.
Learn more about how your school scored in previous College Free Speech Rankings.
The 2024 survey included survey responses from 55,102 students from 254 colleges and universities.
The 2022-23 College Free Speech Rankings are based on the voices of 45,000 students currently enrolled at over 200 colleges and universities.
The second annual rankings were based on the voices of more than 37,000 students at 150 colleges and universities.
The first annual rankings were based on the voices of 20,000 students at 55 colleges and universities.
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