An ‘F’ for free speech: Barnard ranks last as US colleges flunk the test
The 2026 College Free Speech Rankings by FIRE reveal a crisis in US higher education, with 166 of 257 schools earning an “F.” Barnard College ranked last, penalized for stifling student journalists and fostering self-censorship. Nationwide, students increasingly oppose controversial speakers, with debates over issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict fueling a culture of censorship across campuses.
The 2026 College Free Speech Rankings by FIRE reveal a crisis in US higher education, with 166 of 257 schools earning an “F.” Barnard College ranked last, penalized for stifling student journalists and fostering self-censorship. Nationwide, students increasingly oppose controversial speakers, with debates over issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict fueling a culture of censorship across campuses.
