Safest College Campuses in the US

Michelle Wilson - August 31, 2022

As the new school year has officially begun, hundreds of thousands of college students are starting their first year or returning to campus to continue their education. Although college is a time to learn life skills inside and outside the classroom, it can unfortunately also be a time for young adults to make ill-informed decisions.

Often, we hear about crimes and criminal activity being committed at colleges and universities across the country. To help you make informed decisions, here is a comprehensive list of the safest college campuses by US states.

Important Notes on Findings

Within the discovery, most of the listed colleges and universities are relatively small, except for a handful of schools. It’s essential to recognize the impact of population density on crime, which shows that population size significantly contributes to violence and property damage.

Understanding the Data

A federal law known as the Clery Act requires all colleges and universities participating in any federal financial aid programs to disclose all information about crimes occurring on or near the campus. Individuals can find crime statistics within the Campus Crime Statistics within the US Department of Education and The Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting.

All universities or colleges (whether public or private) had to hold at least 2,000 students to narrow down the list of the safest schools. Additionally, the schools in Wyoming are represented by the University of Wyoming due to insufficient data from other schools.

Safest Schools According to State

Alabama: Athens State University

This school is a public university in Athens, Alabama. It ranked zero for sexual and non-sexual offenses, violence against women, hate crimes, and disciplinary actions. The arrest rate was considerably low, at 0.96 crimes per 1,000 students. The university has a formal protocol for emergency prevention and other safety concerns.

Alaska: University of Alaska Anchorage

The public research university in Anchorage holds 0.1 cases per 1,000 students of sexual offenses and arrests. The university also reports 0.7 violence against women and no hate crimes. The University of Alaska Anchorage’s top priority is its students’ well-being. As a result, the school relies heavily on physical and mental health initiatives.

Arizona: Arizona State University-West

This impressive school currently reports no cases of sexual and non-sexual criminal offenses and hate crimes while continuing to report small numbers of violence against women (0.74 per 1,000 students). It is located in northwest Phoenix as a public liberal arts university.

Arkansas: John Brown University

This school is the safest in the state, with zero arrests, hate crimes, and non-sexual criminal offenses. As a private, non-denominational liberal arts school in Siloam Springs, there’s also a meager number of sexual crimes per 1,000 students. The school offers online information for emergency contacts, procedures, incident reporting, building security, and campus officers.

California: National University

This private university has no sexual offenses, hate crimes, disciplinary actions, or violence against women per 1,000 students. Information is available for emergencies or safety concerns, as well as thorough information on what to do in various situations.

Colorado: Colorado Christian University

Located in Lakewood, Colorado, this private liberal arts university has low numbers of arrests, non-sexual criminal offenses, and disciplinary actions per 1,000 students. They also have no record of sexual offenses, hate crimes, or violence against women. They have full-time officers and staff available for safety and security onsite.

Connecticut: University of Saint Joseph

The Roman Catholic Institution in West Hartford, Connecticut, was an all-female school until 2018. There are no hate crimes or arrests, low ratios of sexual and non-sexual criminal offenses, disciplinary action, and violence against women.

Delaware: Wilmington University

As a private university in New Castle, Delaware, this university has no record of sexual offenses or hate crimes. There are less than 0.1 cases of non-sexual offenses and violence against women per 1,000 students. They offer 24/7 security coverage with a private security firm.

Florida: Polk State College

Although this school has a few arrests, it currently holds no record of non-sexual and sexual criminal offenses, hate crimes, disciplinary action, or violence against women. The college offers full-time security coverage, including various student resources on its website.

Georgia: Atlanta Metropolitan State College

The Atlanta Metropolitan State College is located in the city of Atlanta. The college offers a private police department with three divisions: support services, security services, and patrol. They hold no reported sexual criminal offenses or hate crimes.

Hawaii: Chaminade University of Honolulu

The Chaminade University of Honolulu is a private Marianist university in Kaimuki, Honolulu. A small number of non-sexual criminal offenses and disciplinary actions are reported per 1,000 people. Currently, the school holds no recorded arrests, hate crimes, violence against women, or sexual offenses. They offer global security services to keep the atmosphere safe for all students.

Idaho: Brigham Young University-Idaho

As a private university in Rexburg, Idaho, this university has no record of hate crimes, with very few sexual offenses and violence against women. School officials offer University Police officers, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. NIU also offers easy-to-read safety resources.

Indiana: Indiana University-Kokomo

Located in Kokomo, this university reports less than one case of non-sexual crimes, violence against women, and disciplinary actions per 1,000 students. There are no hate crimes or sexual offenses recorded. The school offers strict building security, grounds and maintenance staff onsite, and police staff.

IOWA: Newman University

This private Catholic liberal arts university is in the city of Wichita. There are no records of arrests, hate crimes, or sexual offenses. Rates for non-sexual crimes and violence against women is less than 0.3 per 1000 students. The school offers a direct phone reporting line, around-the-clock uniform security, and a quick emergency action checklist.

Kentucky: University of the Cumberlands

This private, non-profit college is located in Williamsburg, Kentucky. The school has recorded no sexual or non-sexual criminal offenses, violent acts against women, or hate crimes. Currently, the arrest ratio is less than 0.1 per 1,000 students. The college offers training, informational seminars, and a lengthy list of emergency phone numbers for students.

Louisiana: Louisiana State University

This school is part of the state’s University System, offering no reports of disciplinary actions, hate crimes, sexual crimes, or violence against women. Additionally, there are .59 per 1,000 students of documented arrests. LSU Alexandria offers videos, courses, and documentation covering high-risk topics before they become severe.

Maine: the University of Maine at Farmington

This public liberal arts college in the small rural town of Farmington has far lower reports of disciplinary actions than other schools in the state. There are currently no sexual offenses, hate crimes, or violence against women. The school offers emergency phones and call boxes and locked resident halls at all hours.

Maryland: Notre Dame of Maryland University

This well-known private Catholic university is in Baltimore, with no reported arrests, non-sexual offenses, hate crimes, or sexual offenses. The school reports .81 cases of violence against women per 1,000 students. Safety measures include patrolled campus 24 hours a day, a safety handbook, and security bulletins.

Massachusetts: University of Massachusetts-Boston

Commonly called UMass Boston, the public university reports low numbers of arrests (.18 per 1,000 students), non-sexual crimes (0.12 per 1,000), and violent acts against women (0.49 per 1,000 students). The university doesn’t hold hate crimes or sexual crimes on record. Safety initiatives include crime prevention, safety tips, and workplace violence management.

Michigan: Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor is located in a city with the same name, acting as a private Methodist university. The school holds no records of hate crimes, sexual offenses, arrests, or violence against women. It takes the top place as the safest college campus in Michigan. Currently, non-sexual crimes are lower than on most campuses on the list. Safety measures include multiple checklists for crises, including life-threatening situations and sexual assault.

Minnesota: Bethel University

The Christian college is in Minnesota’s capital St. Paul. Bethel University reports no sexual crimes, hate crimes, a small number of non-sexual crimes, or arrests. The school’s commitment to safety includes crime prevention programs, ID cards, and security officers onsite.

Mississippi: Delta State University

This public university sits in Cleveland, Mississippi. Currently, no arrests or sexual criminal offenses are on file. Additionally, all non-sexual crimes, hate crimes, or violence against women cases sit around 0.6 per 1,000 students. All students can prevent or report situations by reading the campus safety guide. The school also offers text messaging emergency alerts.

Missouri: Park University

This university is a private, non-profit liberal arts school in Parkville, Missouri. The school offers low reporting numbers of arrests (0.17 per 1,000 students), non-sexual offenses (0.35 per 1,000 students), and sexual offenses (0.09 per 1,000 students. It also holds zero hate crimes. The school offers an always-on-staff Department of Campus Safety. This department has several resources, including emergency phone numbers and procedures.

Montana: Montana State University-Billings

Located in Billings, Montana, this university is a public university with zero hate crime. Currently, the expected number of dating or domestic violence incidents is approximately 0.9 incidents per 1,000 students. MSU reports less than 0.5 cases of sexual offenses per 1,000. The University Police is available 24/7 through patrol and surveillance to maintain safety and security. They also offer a confidential reporting system and an emergency notification system.

Nebraska: Wayne State College

Wayne State College is located in Wayne, Nebraska. This college works with community policing, assigning officials to certain areas of campus, and offering patrol, escort, and shuttle services on site. There are no sexual criminal offenses or hate crimes reported, with 0.91 cases of violence against women out of every 1,000 students.

Nevada: Western Nevada College

The college is a public college that works to maintain the health and well-being of the entire university community. This college currently holds no arrests, disciplinary actions, instances of hate crimes, or non-sexual or sexual offenses. The campus has emergency alerts, fully functional law enforcement, and proactive assistance.

New Hampshire: Granit State College

Granit State College is a public college in Concord, New Hampshire. It’s currently part of the state’s university system. Granite State has no documented cases of non-sexual or sexual criminal offenses, violence against women, or hate crimes. This safe college campus also doesn’t have any disciplinary actions. Maintaining community safety starts with on-campus emergency services. They also offer an anonymous incident reporting procedure.

New Jersey: Fairleigh Dickinson University

This safe college campus is in the metropolitan Teaneck, New Jersey. There are no reported cases of hate crimes, violence against women, or non-sexual criminal offenses. The FDU offers direct contact information for public safety officials and multiple safety and security resources. Finally, the college provides an anonymous “Silent Knight” program for anyone wanting to report incidents.

New York: Touro College

Part of the private university system, Touro is headquartered in New York City. There are a small number of disciplinary actions per 1,000 students, with no arrests, non-sexual criminal offenses, sexual offenses, hate crimes, or violence against women. The college is dedicated to keeping students, staff, and faculty safe. Offering a 24-hour hotline and other resources to educate the community on crime prevention and response.

North Carolina: Campbell University

This private university is in Buies Creek, North Carolina. The school holds low reported numbers of non-sexual crimes, violence against women, and hate crimes. All students and staff can receive free fingerprinting services, bringing a safe walk program for students needing a safe arrival between locations. Campbell University also offers numerous online resources for the community to educate themselves on crime prevention.

Ohio: University of Cincinnati-Clermont College

Clermont College is a regional campus in Batavia, Ohio. There were small records of disciplinary actions, with no arrests, hate crimes, violence against women, or sexual and non-sexual crimes on file. Most classrooms, labs, and exterior building doors require ID cards to enter.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City

When it comes to the safest campus colleges, this public university in Oklahoma City beats out other schools in the state. The campus security operates 24/7, year-round, patrolling parking lots, grounds, and school buildings. It boasts no reports of sexual or non-sexual offenses, hate crimes, or violence against women. Additionally, it offers a low number of disciplinary actions (0.17 out of 1,000 students).

Oregon: Oregon Institute of Technology

As a public polytechnic university in Klamath Falls, Oregon, the Oregon Institute of Technology brings ultimate safety and security. With cases of violence against women sitting below 1 per 1,000 students and non-violence crimes as low as well, it’s a secure option for anyone in the state.

Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania State University (Penn State Abington)

Penn State Abington is a commonwealth campus that holds low ratios of arrests, sexual crimes, and non-sexual crimes. It also has no hate crimes or disciplinary actions and a low proportion of violence against women crime. The campus offers police and security officers, safe walk escort services, and emergency call boxes.

Rhode Island: New England Institute of Technology

As a private university in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, NEIT brings no reported hate crimes, sexual offenses, or acts of violence against women. It also holds a small ratio of non-sexual crimes per 1,000 students. The school offers significant safety features, including vehicle and foot patrol, emergency response, walking escorts, emergency telephones, and restricted building access.

South Carolina: Anderson University

For safe college campuses, Anderson takes the top spot in South Carolina. This university holds no hate crimes, violence against women, or sexual criminal offenses. It also contains low numbers of disciplinary actions and arrests. To protect students, staff, faculty, and visitors, the university offers regular building maintenance, regular drills, and plenty of resources through its website.

South Dakota: Dakota State University

This public university is located in Madison, South Dakota. The university believes that students thrive in a safe and supportive environment, bringing plenty of campus security onsite. Security options include ID-only access to buildings and security cameras. The university brings no reports of non-sexual offenses or hate crimes, with low numbers of sexual offenses (1.2 per 1,000 students) and violence against women (0.6 per 1,000 students).

Tennessee: Lipscomb University

As a private Christian liberal arts university in Nashville, this school has held zero reported cases of sexual offenses and hate crimes. It also says low ratios of violence against women (0.22 per 1,000) and non-sexual crimes (0.65 per 1,000). The university works with qualified RAD (Rape. Aggression. Defense) self-defense programs and patrols campus and events.

Texas: South Texas College

Sitting in the Rio Grande Valley, this public college has no reports of sexual and non-sexual criminal offenses, hate crimes, or disciplinary actions. Additionally, the college has low reports of violence against women, with 0.3 cases per 1,000 students. Safety resources include emergency preparedness, alerts, and more.

Utah: Utah Valley University

This public school is located in Orem, Utah. UVU offers formal incident and emergency plans, various resources and videos, and personal preparedness plans to help students and staff avoid unsafe situations. The university has no reported disciplinary actions or hate crimes. Any recorded incidents of non-sexual crimes, violence against women, and sexual crimes occur in less than 1 case per 1,000 students.

Vermont: Champlain College

Located in Burlington, Vermont, Champlain is a private college with low ratios of hate crimes (.42 per 1,000 students), violence against women (.21 per 1,000 students), sexual crimes (.84 per 1,000 students), and non-sexual crimes (1.26 per 1,000 students). The college employs nine different security officers on patrol. Officers also respond to emergencies, investigate incident reports, and get to know people within the community.

Virginia: Liberty University

As a private evangelical Christian university, this post-secondary establishment is the largest private non-profit university in the United States. The university holds a minimal number of non-sexual offenses (0.8 per 1,000 students), sexual offenses (0.4 per 1,000 students), violence against women (.12 per 1,000), and hate crimes (0.03 per 1,000). The arrest ratio sits at 0.13 per 1,000 students. Liberty University is recognized across many campuses as a safe university, with 60 onsite officers that protect the campus.

Washington: Peninsula College

As a public college in Port Angeles, Peninsula College is one of the safest in Washington. The campus has plenty of safety features, including a close partnership with the local police department. Additionally, the college emphasizes safety against sexual harassment through services and information. It holds zero cases of hate crimes, sexual and non-sexual crimes, or violence against women.

West Virginia: Concord University

This public university is located in Athens, West Virginia. It holds no reported disciplinary actions, hate crimes, sexual criminal offenses, or cases of violence against women. Concord University prioritizes the safety and well-being of students and the entire community. The school offers a 20-page safety and wellness book detailing security information, safety procedures, and important contact numbers.

Wisconsin: Cardinal Stritch University

Cardinal Stritch holds no hate or sexual crimes as a private Roman Catholic university in Milwaukee. The university also has low numbers of violent acts against women (0.26 per 1,000 students) and non-sexual crimes (1.27 per 1,000). The security motto is “Prevention, Protection,” and it adheres to this motto thoroughly. The campus offers easy-to-contact campus security, emergency notifications, and crime response.

Wyoming: University of Wyoming

As a land-grant university in Laramie, Wyoming, this University of Wyoming is a safe college campus. It offers a zero sexual offense rate, minimal criminal offenses (0.5 per 1,000 students), and less than one case of hate crimes per 1,000 students. The university offers a multitude of security resources, including a campus security system, emergency communications, and crime response programs. The university also provides traffic control onsite to minimize conflict and problems.

Conclusion

Choosing the right university to continue your education is one of your most significant decisions. It can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. Always consider the distance and location from your current residence and the traveling costs to get home during the holidays.

You’ll also want to consider the program courses and degree availability through the campus, especially if your field is customized. Finally, always look at overall safety and security overall. The universities above are the safest in the United States, making them a valuable starting point when selecting. While no university is perfect, choosing a safe campus is essential for continuing your education.