For the sixth year in a row, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) commissioned College Pulse to conduct the largest-ever survey about free speech on college campuses. Launched in 2020, this first-of-its-kind tool highlights campuses where open inquiry is strongest and helps families, parents, and prospective students compare schools based on the climate for dialogue. We now present the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings.
Prospective students have found it incredibly helpful to see what current students reported about the actual campus climate for open discussion and inquiry, allowing for comparisons between colleges. The rankings also help colleges and universities better understand their campus climate to improve it.
The 2026 College Free Speech Rankings compare the student experience of free speech across the country. The results draw on responses collected from January 3, 2025 through June 5, 2025, from over 68,000 undergraduate students enrolled at more than 250 colleges in the United States.
Our research covers:
- Administrative support and clarity around free expression
- How and when students self-censor
- Tolerance for conservative and liberal speakers on campus
- Which issues students find difficult to discuss openly
To gain access to more insights, download the report.
