2027 College Free Speech Rankings: Kirk murder adds another difficult topic to dismal climate for student expression

Overall State of Campus Free Speech

FIRE's 2027 rankings indicate a grim climate for free speech, with an average score of 61.36 corresponding to a 'D-' grade. While there is a slight decline in student support for using violence or shoutdowns to silence speakers, 121 out of 261 ranked institutions received an 'F' for their speech climate, highlighting deep-seated issues with academic freedom and administrative censorship.

The Impact of Charlie Kirk's Assassination

The murder of activist Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, has significantly impacted campus discourse. At 61 schools, students report that Kirk is a difficult topic to discuss, and several institutions faced point penalties for punishing faculty who commented on the tragedy. Instead of encouraging dialogue, many administrators responded to the event by increasing censorship measures.

Top and Bottom Ranked Institutions

The University of Chicago secured the top spot for the third time, reflecting a strong administrative commitment to free expression. Conversely, NYU, the University of Washington, and Texas State University occupied the bottom of the list. The bottom-ranked schools were cited for restrictive policies, such as firing professors for protected speech, frequent event disruptions, and administrative overreach in policing student events.

Call to Action for Administrators

FIRE urges university leaders to adopt a more courageous approach to protecting free speech. With only 40% of students feeling their administration is clear in its support of free speech, the organization emphasizes that institutions must reform restrictive policies and resist calls for deplatforming to ensure that students have the freedom to engage with diverse ideas.