The 40 Most LGBTQ+ Friendly Colleges

What’s Covered:

• What Makes a School LGBTQ-Friendly?
• The 46 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges
• Top LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges
• Other Schools to Consider
• What Are Your Chances of Acceptance?

 

 

A recent study showed that if students feel they belong at their school at the end of their first year, they have higher rates of personal and academic success. While this study looked specifically at racial minority and first-generation students, the overall message is that a sense of belonging impacts the well-being of all students. 

 

It can be a challenge for LGBTQ students to find a sense of belonging, so they may approach the college search more carefully, considering differences in colleges’ housing options, public safety, support groups, social opportunities, and institutional policies.

 

In this post, we’ll go over the most LGBTQ-friendly schools and share resources on how to find the best fit. 

 

Note: We recognize that the acronym LGBTQ doesn’t encompass all gender and sexual identities; you may also encounter terminology such as LGBTQ+, LGBTQIA, LGBTQIA2S+, and many others. That said, most schools’ LGBTQ resources aim to include a wide range of gender and sexual identities. This post is in partnership with Campus Pride and features schools that have been thoroughly vetted for their institutional support and inclusivity.

 

What Makes a School LGBTQ-Friendly?

 

 

Since 2007, Campus Pride, a national nonprofit organization for student leaders and campus groups, has been working for safer campuses and learning environments for LGBTQ+ students. 

 

Campus Pride Q Research Institute for Higher Education maintains an online database known as The Campus Pride Index. This resource is free and available for students and families to find schools with an LGBTQ+ positive living/learning environment. 

 

For a school to be LGBTQ+ friendly, there must be real evidence of institutional support and resources, not just visibility. 

 

Each school in the Campus Pride Index is evaluated in terms of campus policies, programs, and practices. Campus Pride refers to eight LGBTQ-friendly factors in their evaluation process:

 

• LGBTQ Policy Inclusion
• LGBTQ Support and Institutional Commitment
• LGBTQ Academic life
• LGBTQ Student Life
• LGBTQ Housing
• LGBTQ Campus Safety
• LGBTQ Counseling and Health
• LGBTQ Recruitment and Retention Efforts

 

The Campus Pride Index assigns a score from one star to five stars. Campus Pride considers this as a continuum of progress for inclusive LGBTQ+ and ally policies. 

 

Keep in mind that schools earning three or four stars might be doing important work in tough places (non-LGBTQ+ friendly areas), so don’t discount them completely. A lower star score may still be seen as progressive in certain states or areas of the country. Do note that Campus Pride also maintains a list of the worst campuses for LGBTQ+ youth that you may wish to consult.

 

For students going back to school as an adult learner, two-year colleges can also be a good option. We’ll be focusing on four-year colleges since this is our specialty, but you can check out Campus Pride’s rankings of the most LGBTQ-friendly community colleges.

 

The 40 Most LGBTQ+ Friendly Colleges

 

These are the 40 institutions with the highest five-star rating on The Campus Pride Index. For a more curated list by region, check out Campus Pride’s 2022 Best of the Best LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges and Universities.

 

Click on the school name to see the in-depth Campus Pride rating.

 

School Name	State	Undergrad Enrollment	Acceptance Rate
San Diego State University	CA	33,000	38%
University of Colorado at Boulder	CO	33,500	80%
University of Northern Colorado	CO	9,600	91%
University of North Florida	FL	17,100	77%
Northern Illinois University	IL	13,400	70%
Southern Illinois University Carbondale	IL	9,400	95%
University of Illinois at Chicago	IL	23,600	79%
Indiana University Bloomington	IN	34,800	85%
Purdue University	IN	38,500	69%
Kansas State University	KS	17,400	96%
University of Louisville	KY	18,300	75%
Tufts University	MA	6,700	11%
University of Massachusetts, Amherst	MA	27,600	66%
Towson University	MD	20,700	88%
Oakland University	MI	17,200	92%
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor	MI	32,400	20%
Macalester College	MN	2,100	31%
Minnesota State University – Mankato	MN	15,400	69%
Elon University	NC	6,400	78%
University of Nebraska at Kearney	NE	4,800	90%
Montclair State University	NJ	18,100	91%
Rutgers University – New Brunswick	NJ	40,400	68%
Adelphi University	NY	5,600	78%
Ithaca College	NY	5,400	78%
Pace University	NY	8,800	88%
Kent State University	OH	24,700	87%
The Ohio State University	OH	50,600	57%
Southern Oregon University	OR	9,200	90%
Lehigh University	PA	5,500	46%
The Pennsylvania State University	PA	40,300	54%
University of Pennsylvania	PA	13,000	6%
Texas Tech University	TX	35,100	68%
University of Texas at Dallas	TX	22,600	87%
George Mason University	VA	32,400	91%
Virginia Wesleyan University	VA	1,400	86%
University of Vermont	VT	13,000	64%
Washington State University	WA	28,200	86%
University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire	WI	11,000	77%
University of Wisconsin – Green Bay	WI	10,600	91%
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee	WI	23,400	89%

 

Top LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges

 

Among the schools with 5-star ratings, we’ve pulled our top 12 based on academic rigor, costs/financial aid, and graduation rates. Click on the school name to learn more about the school and what it takes to get accepted.

 

University of Pennsylvania

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Undergraduate Enrollment: 13,000

Acceptance Rate: 6%

 

UPenn ranks high on the scorecard for recruitment and retention of LGBTQ+ students. The university regularly participates in LGBTQ+ admission fairs and provides an orientation and mentoring program for first-year students.

 

University of Michigan

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Undergraduate Enrollment: 32,400

Acceptance Rate: 20%

 

From academics to student life, UMich provides a significant number of resources, support, and a welcoming campus environment for LGBTQ students. Their gender-inclusive policies extend to student housing, medical and mental health services, and all members of their community.

 

Tufts University

Location: Medford, MA

Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,700

Acceptance Rate: 11%

 

The campus and community environment at Tufts is welcoming and inclusive. The Rainbow House offers social events and programming for students and allies. Many students, staff, and faculty identify as LGBTQ and there are a variety of course offerings and study opportunities on gender and sexuality.

 

Macalester College

Location: St. Paul, MN 

Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,100

Acceptance Rate: 31%

 

Macalester’s Gender & Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC) hosts regular events to build community among LGBTQIA+ students, including a Lavender Reception, tea time, and Lavender Graduation. The campus also maintains an Out & Proud faculty and staff directory, a voluntary list of Macalester faculty and staff who identify as LGBTQIA+, to increase the visibility of this community on campus.

 

Lehigh University

Location: Bethlehem, PA

Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,500

Acceptance Rate: 46%

 

Lehigh’s Pride Center for Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity is committed to fostering a community in which people of all genders and sexualities are able to thrive as their full, authentic selves. Its lounge offers a welcoming environment for all to study, socialize, play games, and engage in discussions.

 

The Ohio State University

Location: Columbus, OH

Undergraduate Enrollment: 50,600

Acceptance Rate: 57%

 

OSU students have strong institutional support with a wide variety of campus resources, including LGBTQ-friendly medical and mental health practitioners. Trans-inclusive student health insurance covers counseling and hormone replacement therapy.

 

Purdue University

Location: West Lafayette, IN

Undergraduate Enrollment: 38,500

Acceptance Rate: 69% 

 

Purdue offers gender-inclusive housing for new and returning students as well as gender-inclusive single occupancy bathrooms and showers. Pursue also offers new faculty and staff training in gender-identity and sexual orientation issues.

 

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Location: Amherst, MA

Undergraduate Enrollment: 27,600

Acceptance Rate: 66%

 

UMass Amherst has a nearly perfect score on the Campus Pride report card and has historically been at the forefront of LGBTQ inclusion, having one of the country’s first professionally-staffed LGBTQ campus centers (The Stonewall Center, established 1985). Today, UMass Amherst has over 150 gender-inclusive restrooms, a trans-inclusive athletic policy, and coverage for transitioning students under the student health benefit plan.

 

Rutgers University–New Brunswick

Location: New Brunswick, NJ

Undergraduate Enrollment: 40,400

Acceptance Rate: 68%

 

There are many LGBTQ+ student organizations at Rutgers. A notable organization is LLEGO, The LGBTQQIA People of Color Union at Rutgers New Brunswick. The organization examines social, economic, political and educational issues faced at the intersection of ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

 

Indiana University Bloomington

Location: Bloomington, IN

Undergraduate Enrollment: 34,800

Acceptance Rate: 85%

 

IU Bloomington emphasizes LGBTQ+ safety on its campus. Its campus safety division has active ongoing training for hate crime prevention and trains campus police on sexual orientation issues. IU Bloomington also offers scholarships specific to LGBTQ+ students, including an emergency fund for students cut off from family support after coming out.

 

Pennsylvania State University

Location: University Park, PA

Undergraduate Enrollment: 40,300

Acceptance Rate: 54%

 

Penn State has many student organizations dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ students and faculty. One notable fixture is the Ally House, an open, safe, and inclusive living environment for LGBTQ+ and ally students. It fosters a community dedicated to knowing and understanding gender and sexuality issues.

 

Elon University

Location: Elon, NC

Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,400

Acceptance Rate: 78%

 

Elon University’s Gender & LGBTQIA Center offers support to LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff as well as education about LGBTQ+ identities, topics, and allyship. The Center hopes to make students feel the three V’s of the GLC—validated, valued, and victorious.

 

Other Schools to Consider

 

All the schools in the above table received 5 stars on the Campus Pride Index, and we wanted to highlight a few more of them here, especially those with higher acceptance rates and those located in different parts of the US. Some of the colleges and universities on the list and highlighted below may be a surprise. Many are in areas of the country that are more politically and religiously conservative, but the schools themselves offer exceptional support to LGBTQ+ students. 

 

University of Colorado Boulder

Location: Boulder, CO

Undergraduate Enrollment: 33,500

Acceptance Rate: 80%

 

CU Boulder’s Gender and Sexuality Center seeks to promote social justice and inclusive excellence for academic, social and personal development for all LGBTQ+ students, staff, faculty, and their allies in a safe and supportive environment. The university trains new faculty and staff on gender identity and sexual orientation issues.

 

University of Wisconsin–Green Bay

Location: Green Bay, WI

Undergraduate Enrollment: 10,600

Acceptance Rate: 91%

 

UW Green Bay currently has five unique staffed Pride Center locations. Employees at these Pride Center locations participate in monthly SAFE Ally Level 1 and 2 Training. Trained faculty and staff are easy to find thanks to SAFE Ally stickers posted in offices across campus.

 

Kansas State University

Location: Manhattan, KS

Undergraduate Enrollment: 17,400

Acceptance Rate: 96%

 

K-State opened their LGBT Resource Center in 2010 for all members of the campus community and the region. The Center promotes equity, social justice, and respect through programs and outreach. KSU scores high on the Index for institutional support, student life, and public safety. 

 

Kent State University

Location: Kent, OH

Undergraduate Enrollment: 24,700

Acceptance Rate: 87%

 

Kent State’s LGBTQ Resource Center provides students with opportunities such as the QUEST Mentorship Program, the LGBTQ Library, and an emergency fund. The Center supports groups for LGBTQ students of color, graduate students, and Trans*Fusion. 

 

Montclair State University

Location: Montclair, NJ

Undergraduate Enrollment: 18,100

Acceptance Rate: 91%

 

MSU offers LGBTQ residential housing and Stonewall Suites in addition to several student groups and organizations for both queer and allied students. The LGBTQ Center conducts training throughout the state for schools, colleges, and universities through the Lavender Leaders Program.

 

University of Texas at Dallas

Location: Dallas, TX

Undergraduate Enrollment: 22,600

Acceptance Rate: 87%

 

UT Dallas began its LEAP (LGBT+ Education, Advocacy & Programming) Initiative to foster a safe and inclusive environment that values and celebrates the sexual orientation and gender identity/expression of students, staff and faculty. This is done through regular programming, educational workshops/training, and activities.

 

Washington State University

Location: Pullman, WA

Undergraduate Enrollment: 28,200

Acceptance Rate: 86%

 

Washington State offers roommate matching for LGBTQ students to find LGBTQ-friendly roommates, gender-inclusive housing, and gender-inclusive bathroom and shower facilities. In addition, residence life and housing staff at all levels are trained on LGBTQ issues and concerns.

 

George Mason University

Location: Fairfax, VA

Undergraduate Enrollment: 32,400

Acceptance Rate: 91%

 

Mason was the first university in the Commonwealth to have an LGBTQ+ Center operated by more than one full-time staff member. They have inclusive policies related to on-campus housing, restroom usage and signage, and name and pronoun use. Even in spaces where inclusion is not always a priority, Mason leads the Commonwealth and country.

 

What Are Your Chances of Acceptance?

 

College Vine’s chancing engine is a great tool to help you work through your list of prospective schools. You can see your chances of acceptance at over 1500 schools, including the ones on this list. You can also filter for schools based on your preferences for academics, campus environment, and more.

 

Check out Campus Pride and The Campus Pride Index to find all schools with a report card and come back to CollegeVine to learn more about each school – all for free! (One day, we hope to have Campus Pride ratings integrated into our school database). You should also read Campus Pride’s Ultimate Queer College Guide for further considerations in choosing a school as an LGBTQ+ student.