Florida State, South Florida receives high marks for campus free speech policies

(The Center Square) — A new report has ranked some of Florida's colleges and universities among the best for free speech.

According to FIRE's 2025 College Free Speech Rankings, Florida State University ranks third with a score of 72.46, up from fifth place a year earlier. The University of Virginia was ranked first for free speech, while Michigan Technological University came in second.

Each college campus was ranked by several student subcomponents, including comfort in expressing ideas, self-censorship, mean tolerance, disruptive conduct, administrative support and openness.

The report states that each of the top three schools had a "good" free speech climate and defended free expression on campuses. It notes that all three have consistently performed well over the past five years.

The University of South Florida in Tampa made the list at number 17 out of the top 25 schools, ranking with an above average score for free speech on campus. Florida International University was ranked 35, with a "Slightly Above Average" free speech score.

The University of Florida, however, ranked one of the lowest, coming in at 170 on the list, with a free speech score of "slightly below average." Meanwhile, the University of Central Florida ranked even worse at 183, also with a ranking of "slightly below average."

FIRE CEO Greg Lukianoff said in a news release the rankings highlight pivotal moments for college campuses as they work to maintain free speech, while navigating polarizing issues.

"The Middle East crisis plunged campuses into absolute chaos last academic year and administrators largely failed in their response, clamping down on free speech protections instead of fostering spaces for open dialogue. The nightmare scenarios of last spring cannot be repeated this fall. Colleges need to reassert their mantle of being marketplaces of ideas, not bubbles of groupthink and censorship," Lukianoff said.

FIRE Chief Research Advisor Sean Stevens said in a news release that "continued vigilance" is needed to protect free speech after some of the most prestigious universities in the U.S., such as Harvard University, ranked dead last.

"Some of the nation's most lauded higher ed institutions are failing miserably in upholding First Amendment protections," Stevens said. "Often these schools set the tone for the wider higher ed ecosystem, so it is imperative that they address these issues lest this failure drag the rights of a whole new generation of college students down with it."