FIRE survey

Extracted Attributes

• Developer

  Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE)

• Full Name

  College Free Speech Rankings

• Key Finding

  166 out of 257 institutions received a failing grade in 2026

• Sample Size

  68,510 undergraduates

• Research Partner

  College Pulse

• Institutional Scope

  257 U.S. colleges and universities

• 2026 Top Ranked School

  Claremont McKenna College

• 2026 Bottom Ranked School

  Barnard College

Timeline

• The 2026 College Free Speech Rankings survey begins its fielding period for data collection. (Source: undefined)

  2025-01-03

• The survey fielding period concludes after collecting data from 68,510 full-time undergraduates. (Source: undefined)

  2025-06-05

• FIRE officially releases the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings, showing a decline in campus tolerance for controversial speech. (Source: undefined)

  2025-09-09

Fire Underwriters Survey

Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS) a subsidiary of Opta Information Intelligence Corp., is a provider of data, underwriting, risk management and legal/regulatory services focusing on community fire-protection and fire prevention systems in Canada. Fire Underwriters Survey publishes the Canadian Fire Insurance Grading Index, which is utilized by the property-casualty insurers in that country. Opta Information Intelligence Corp. was acquired by Verisk Analytics Inc. in 2022.

Web Search Results

• FIRE Survey Finds Majority of Colleges Failing Free Speech Test

  Skip to content February 17, 2026 Find a Job Post A Job facebook instagram linkedin substack Insight Into Academia # FIRE Survey Finds Majority of Colleges Failing Free Speech Test Facebook Twitter Pinterest By INSIGHT Staff September 9, 2025 Estimated read time 3 min read The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) has released its 2026 College Free Speech Rankings, painting a bleak picture of the campus climate for open discourse. Out of 257 institutions surveyed, 166 received a failing grade, with only 11 earning a C or higher. [...] The annual survey, conducted with College Pulse, included responses from more than 68,000 undergraduates. Students reported increasing unease with discussing divisive topics, particularly the Israeli-Hamas conflict. On 21 campuses, at least three-quarters of students said it was difficult to engage in open discussion on the issue; at Barnard, that number reached 90 percent. More troubling, according to FIRE, is the growing number of students condoning extreme tactics to silence opposing views. One-third said they accept, at least in limited cases, the use of violence to stop a campus speech. [...] Claremont McKenna College topped the rankings for the second time, followed by Purdue University, the University of Chicago, Michigan Technological University, and the University of Colorado Boulder. At the other end, Barnard College, Columbia University, and Indiana University were named among the worst, with Barnard finishing last overall. The findings reflect what FIRE describes as a sharp decline in tolerance for controversial speech. For the first time in the survey’s history, a majority of students opposed allowing any of six hypothetical speakers — representing both liberal and conservative viewpoints — to appear on campus.

• How We Rank Colleges on Free Speech - FIRE

  The Data ## The Data ### The College Free Speech Rankings Survey was developed by FIRE and administered by College Pulse. No donors to the project took part in designing or conducting the survey. The survey was fielded from Jan. 3 through June 5, 2025. These data come from a sample of 68,510 undergraduates who were then enrolled full-time in four-year degree programs at one of 257 colleges and universities in the United States. The margin of error for the U.S. undergraduate population is +/- 0.4 of a percentage point, while the margin of errors for college student sub-demographics ranges from 2 to 5 percentage points. ### [...] ### Using the College Free Speech Rankings Survey, we group questions into six components. We code responses so that higher scores indicate a better free speech environment. We sum each student's answers to the questions in each component. We then calculate the school weighted mean of each component and then scale the means (e.g. Y = ((X - Xmin) / Xrange) \ (Ymax - Ymin) + Ymin) so that the highest hypothetical score from the student perception components is 100 points. The components are listed and described below. [...] Learn more about FIRE and our fight for free expression, on campus and beyond. Visit TheFIRE.org About Explore the Rankings # How We Rank Colleges on Free Speech We use real student experiences, university policies, and speech controversies to annually determine the free speech rankings. This year FIRE ranked 257 U.S. colleges and universities and College Pulse surveyed more than 68,000 students. Read below to learn how the process works. Download the Data ## Method ### We Survey Students We seek to understand the student experience. This year over 68,000 students at 257 schools shared their experiences with and attitudes towards free speech on campus. ### We Analyze Policies

• Explore the Survey Results - FIRE

  Learn more about FIRE and our fight for free expression, on campus and beyond. Visit TheFIRE.org Homepage About Explore the Rankings # Explore the Survey Results We seek to understand the student experience. This year over 68,000 students at 257 schools shared their experiences with and attitudes towards free speech on campus. The College Free Speech Rankings Survey was developed by FIRE and administered by College Pulse. ## Our Methodology Learn about the 12 factors used to calculate each school's score and rank, including how the factors are evaluated and how much they count in the overall score. Learn More Share: Twitter/X BlueSky Facebook LinkedIn Email ## Download the Data [...] ## Download the Data Want to dig into the survey data? Download the deidentified survey data by campus, state, or year. ### Full Download ### Campus Download ### State Download ### Historical Download ## FIRE Fights for Your Rights The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression defends and sustains the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought — the most essential qualities of liberty. FIRE educates Americans about the importance of these inalienable rights, promotes a culture of respect for these rights, and provides the means to preserve them. Learn More About FIRE Support the Rankings ## Get in touch with us today ## Enter your email to access the rankings [...] ## Enter your email to access the rankings Unlock the full rankings experience — compare schools, download data, and more — plus receive free speech updates from FIRE. By submitting this form, you agree to receive recurring marketing emails from FIRE. You can unsubscribe at any time. View our privacy policy.

• About FIRE's Free Speech Rankings (opinion) - Inside Higher Ed

  To be clear, the issue of tolerance for campus speakers—and the physical safety of speakers and attendees—remains paramount, as last week’s violence made clear. But for me, FIRE’s study misses the single most profound change on college campuses: AI, and the reality that students are increasingly doing their intellectual exploration privately, not publicly. FIRE’s survey doesn’t ask what questions students are asking their AI models in the privacy of their dorm room or quietly on their laptops during lectures. Yet Inside Higher Ed’s recent survey makes this clear: “Most students are using generative AI for coursework, but many are doing so in ways that can support, not outsource, their learning.” As one student put it, faculty members and leaders “need to understand how accessible and [...] Consider all the ways the study’s methodology is outdated in the AI era. FIRE measures “comfort expressing ideas” by asking students about “expressing your views on a controversial political topic during an in-class discussion” and “expressing your views on a controversial political topic to other students during a discussion in a common campus space such as a quad, dining hall, or lounge.” These questions assume that intellectual engagement requires public performance. The survey treats discomfort with these activities as problematic, asking, “How often do you self-censor during conversations with other students on campus?” and defining self-censorship as “refraining from sharing certain views because you fear social … professional … legal … or violent consequences.” I see no recognition [...] Advertisement In short, the FIRE study’s emphasis on public expression ignores this new reality where new forms of intellectual exploration happen in ways the survey does not even recognize. Students’ reluctance to perform controversial viewpoints in public settings may reflect a paradigm shift that meaningful engagement with controversial ideas requires privacy and reflection. AI may deliver all this far more fruitfully than the performative classroom discussions that FIRE champions.

• What You Need To Know About the F.I.R.E Movement and ...

  Download template -/^ Despite sourcing much of their investing information from social media, traditional investing websites and F.I.R.E. blogs were perceived as trustworthy by over 70% of Gen Z surveyees while TikTok videos, Instagram, and Twitter posts were perceived as trustworthy by 30 and 50%. In a recent survey, 53% of surveyed Gen Z respondents were interested in running their own business. This number rose to 65% for those already in the workforce. Whether you are a Gen Z entrepreneur or looking to hire staff in the Gen Z age range, understanding the range of ways some of this demographic is approaching personal and business finances can help better inform your business decisions. [...] Though many are leaving their current positions, they are still planning for the future. Twenty-five percent of adult members of Gen Z polled in a recent Goldman Sachs survey said they are planning on retiring before the age of 55. For many, job losses and difficulty finding job prospects, coupled with a desire for better control over work hours, pay, and location, have driven them to quit their current jobs and consider entrepreneurship. ### Bring together your checking, savings, and loans Learn more -/^ ## What is the F.I.R.E movement? F.I.R.E., an acronym that stands for “Financial Independence, Retire Early,” suggests followers set somewhere between 50 to 75% of their income aside to save and invest it so they can retire in their 30s and 40s. [...] by Mallory A. Russell Sep 13, 2012 — 4 min read # What You Need To Know About the F.I.R.E Movement and Why Gen Z Gravitates to It In a recent Goldman Sachs survey, 25% of Gen Z respondents said they were planning on retiring before the age of 55. For many, the path to early retirement starts with entrepreneurship. by Deborah Findling Feb 09, 2022 — 2 min read Managing Your Finances Trends Copy ### Table of contents What is the F.I.R.E movement? Gen Z looks for a new way to manage finances This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. For specific advice applicable to your business, please contact a professional.