(The Center Square) – Virginia colleges scored below average in a new national report on campus free speech, with two of the state’s largest universities receiving failing marks.
The 2026 College Free Speech Rankings gave Virginia schools a collective D, compared with the national average of F. The rankings measure how comfortable students feel sharing their views, how willing they are to hear opposing opinions, and how administrators handle speech controversies.
The University of Virginia ranked highest in the commonwealth at 21st nationally with a C grade. George Mason University followed at 26th with a C, and William and Mary ranked 33rd with a D plus. Washington and Lee University ranked 55th with a D. Virginia Commonwealth University came in at 79th with a D, while Virginia Tech ranked 92nd and James Madison University 103rd, both with failing grades.
FIRE researchers said more students now view violence or disruption as acceptable responses to speech they oppose, a trend they noted is not limited to one political side but part of a broader national problem
The report notes Virginia’s overall score slipped because of survey results and high-profile incidents. The report found 43% of students said they self-censored at least once or twice a month, 76% said shouting down a speaker can be acceptable and 36% said violence is sometimes acceptable to stop a speaker.
The report also cited specific controversies. At George Mason, a doctoral student was investigated after publishing an essay on political violence. At Virginia Commonwealth University, administrators withheld degrees from student protesters. At UVA, a student was threatened with trespassing charges during a campus demonstration. Earlier incidents included speakers disrupted at VCU and Washington and Lee.
FIRE said those events contributed to Virginia schools receiving an average grade of F for administrative support of free expression.
Claremont McKenna College in California ranked first nationally. Barnard College in New York finished last.
