University News

UVA No. 1 in National College Free Speech Rankings

By Jane Kelly, jak4g@virginia.edu

September 5, 2024

Lawn Portrait Featuring the Rotunda in the Background

(Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has named the University of Virginia No. 1 in its latest college free speech rankings.

The nonprofit organization, known as FIRE, partnered with analytics company College Pulse to survey more than 58,000 students at 257 schools for its 2025 College Free Speech Rankings.

UVA moved up to No. 1 from No. 6 last year, replacing Michigan Technological University, which moved to No. 2 in the latest report.

FIRE considered several factors, including students’ perceived ability to have difficult conversations, their comfort expressing views on controversial topics and perceptions of their administration’s support for free speech.

The top-ranked colleges have the highest average score among all students surveyed and have the most open environments for free speech. UVA’s overall score is 73.41. Michigan Technological University's score is 73.15. Florida State University, last year’s fifth-place school, is No. 3, with a score of 72.46.

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“Each of the top three schools have a ‘Good’ speech climate and actively defended free expression during campus speech controversies – UVA and Michigan Tech did so on multiple occasions,” reads part of the report. “None of the three schools have a perfect record, but their actions to uphold free speech contributed to their position in the 2025 College Free Speech Rankings.”

College Pulse conducted the survey from Jan. 25 to June 17. FIRE has ranked freedom of speech on college campuses for five years. The rankings aim to help students and their parents in choosing the right college for their needs.

The Board of Visitors unanimously approved UVA’s statement on free expression and free inquiry in 2021. The statement reads, in part, “The University of Virginia unequivocally affirms its commitment to free expression and free inquiry. All views, beliefs, and perspectives deserve to be articulated and heard free from interference. This commitment underpins every part of the University’s mission.”