10 of the most LGBTQ-friendly US universities

Next in our look at the US universities ranked among the most LGBT-friendly is the University of Massachusetts Amherst, which has around 28,500 students and is currently ranked joint 270^th in the world. Its LGBTQIA+ resource center, the Stonewall Center, was one of the first of its kind to open in the US (opening in 1985), and serves the student community with cultural and educational programming, a speaker’s bureau on LGBTQIA and ally issues, and information, support and referrals to students in need. 

The University of Oregon, located in Eugene, Oregon, is ranked 601-650 in the world this year and has around 25,000 students. Its Office of the Dean of Students aims to maintain a positive and inclusive experience for all students by offering LGBTQIA+ scholarships, as well as student organizations, speaker’s panels, career advice and more. The University of Oregon also offers specialized communities which allow students to select the halls which best suit their needs, beliefs, and lifestyles.

Ranked 16^th in the world, the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) is located in Philadelphia and currently has around 20,000 students enrolled. Penn’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Center is one of the oldest in the US, having served the university’s LGBTQ community for over 30 years. The center provides a space to study and socialize and offers peer mentorships as well as various LGBTQ events which are held throughout the year. It also acts as a hub for over 25 undergraduate and graduate student groups. 

Located in Seattle, Washington, the University of Washington is ranked joint 72^nd in the world and earns its place as a top school in the Campus Pride index for its (mainly student-run) resource center for LGBTQ students, the Q Center. On Washington’s Campus Pride report card (showing how it ranked for the eight categories) it receives perfect scores for its academic life, student life, counseling and health, and recruitment and retention.

Princeton University is already well known as one of the most prestigious universities in the US, (ranked 12^th in the world) but also achieves a as a five-star school in the Campus Pride index. Princeton’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Center was created in 2005 and aims to provide an affirming, supportive place for students to discuss topics on gender identity, attend events, and get support, advice and referrals on LGBTQ issues.

Pennsylvania State University, founded in 1855, is ranked joint 101^st in the latest QS World University Rankings and has around 46,184 students. Its LGBTQA Student Resource Center (SRC) offers a wide range of programming, education, information, and advocacy services and the university also offers a minor in sexuality and gender studies, as well as LGBTQA scholarships. The SRC also offers students opportunities to get involved with LGBTQ student groups.

The Campus Pride index doesn’t end there, with a further 28 US universities and colleges achieving five stars in the index, rated as being the most LGBTQ-friendly in the country, and therefore well worth considering if you’re an LGBTQ student looking for an inclusive and supportive university.

These universities are: Augsburg College, Elon University, Harvey Mudd College, Guilford College, Indiana University Bloomington, Ithaca College, Kansas State University, Kent State University, Kenyon College, Lehigh University, Macalester College, Montclair State University, Northern Kentucky University, Purdue University, Portland State University, San Diego State University, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Southern Oregon University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, University of Maryland, College Park, University of Pittsburgh-Main Campus, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and Washington State University.

Sadly, some US universities and colleges are still lagging behind their peers when it comes to LGBTQ inclusivity. Campus Pride’s Shame List identifies the “absolute worst campuses for LGBTQ youth”. These institutions may have applied for an exception to Title IX to enable them to discriminate against LGBTQ youth, and/or have demonstrated a history of anti-LGBTQ practices. Universities in this list include Brigham Young University, Oklahoma Baptist University, the University of Dallas, Yeshiva University and Spring Arbor University.