Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly College

The Advocate

The Advocate has a list of the 20 most friendly and unfriendly colleges for LGBTQ+ students. Please note that these lists are not very in-depth, so we still recommend doing some additional research before forming an opinion about a particular school.

Best Colleges

Best Colleges has an in-depth LGBTQ+ student guide that features helpful tips and things to consider when assessing your college options. The article contains interviews from admissions counselors, therapists, students, directors of LGBTQ+ resource centers, and numerous other notable individuals involved in the college process.

Campus Pride Index

The Campus Pride Index is a list of over 300 college campuses across the nation. Each campus receives a rating and an "LGBTQ-Friendly Report Card" based on each school's answers to a 50 question assessment regarding the quality of life for LGBTQ+ students.

The Campus Pride Index also has a campus visit scorecard for LGBTQ+ students and their families. Consider using the checklist when you go on college visits so you can assess whether a school you're considering is queer-friendly.

Campus Pride Index Shame List

The Campus Pride Index Shame List identifies the “absolute worst campuses for LGBTQ youth” in the United States. The colleges & universities listed have chosen to openly discriminate against LGBTQ youth and/or have requested Title IX exemptions to perpetuate the harms of religion-based bigotry. The criterion to be the “absolute worst” campus includes either of the following:

1. Received and/or applied for a Title IX exemption to discriminate against LGBTQ youth and/or

2. Demonstrated past history and track record of anti-LGBTQ actions, programs and practices.

Campus Pride Sports Index

An extension of the aforementioned Campus Pride Index, the Campus Pride Sports Index is a national listing of more than 30 college sports programs. Each campus receives a rating based on the quality of life for LGBTQ+ athletes.