The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression ranked UVA No. 1 for college free speech in 2025, moving up from No. 6 last year.

According to UVA Today, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) has ranked the University of Virginia No. 1 in its 2025 College Free Speech Rankings. This marks an improvement from UVA’s No. 6 position in the previous year’s rankings.

About the Free Speech Rankings

FIRE, in partnership with analytics company College Pulse, surveyed more than 58,000 students at 257 schools to compile these rankings. The survey was conducted from January 25 to June 17.

The rankings consider several factors, including:

• Students’ perceived ability to have difficult conversations
• Students’ comfort expressing views on controversial topics
• Perceptions of the administration’s support for free speech

UVA received an overall score of 73.41, followed by Michigan Technological University at 73.15 and Florida State University at 72.46.

Free speech at UVA

According to the report, UVA has actively defended free expression during campus speech controversies on multiple occasions. The report notes that while none of the top three schools have a perfect record, their actions to uphold free speech contributed to their high rankings.

In 2021, UVA’s Board of Visitors unanimously approved a statement on free expression and free inquiry. The statement affirms the university’s commitment to free expression and free inquiry, asserting that all views, beliefs, and perspectives deserve to be articulated and heard without interference.

FIRE has been ranking freedom of speech on college campuses for five years. The organization states that these rankings aim to assist students and their parents in choosing colleges that align with their needs regarding free speech environments.