The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression’s (FIRE) Speech Code Ranking is a comprehensive comparison of the student experience of free speech on campuses. It is based on the feedback of 55,000 currently enrolled students at over 250 colleges.
Columbia University received a speech code rating of Yellow – Abysmal
Colleges with yellow ratings have policies that restrict a more limited amount of protected expression or, by virtue of their vague wording, could too easily be used to restrict protected expression.
Overall:
Rankings out of 251 colleges surveyed**
**FIRE survey was conducted before Columbia University arrests associated with campus protests and occupation of Hamilton Hall during Spring 2024.
Columbia ranked 250th out of 251 colleges and universities surveyed.
Columbia tied Harvard University for last place with an overall score of 0.00 and an “Abysmal” rating.
65% of students said they self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month and felt pressure to avoid discussing controversial topics in their classes.
75% of Columbia students said shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
33% of Columbia students said using violence to stop someone from speaking on campus is at least rarely acceptable.
41% of students indicated that they are “not very clear” or “not clear at all” on how Columbia University protects free speech on campus.
Columbia ranked 247th out of 251 schools measured in student’s perception of the college’s support for free speech.
