New Texas state law set to impact future rankings
On Sept. 3, 2025, FIRE filed a lawsuit challenging Texas Senate Bill 2972, which mandates public colleges and universities impose a host of sweeping censorship measures. SB 2972 went into effect September 1, after data was collected for the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings. While the full extent of these changes has not yet been determined, compliance with SB 2972 would at minimum result in Texas A&M losing its status as a “green light” institution and would prevent the other schools from earning a green light, bringing down Texas schools in future rankings.
Overall Score The Overall Score is made up of 12 parts. Six measure how students feel about free speech on campus. Three look at school speech policies. The last three look at how people on campus respond during speech controversies. A higher score reflects a better free speech climate.
58.2 Treanding Down
/ 100
Overall Rank The Overall Rank shows where a school stands among the 257 institutions evaluated, based on its Overall Score.
112 Treanding Down
/ 257
Overall grade The Grade is a letter based on the college's rounded Overall Score. Scores fall into standard grade ranges from A (93-100) to F (below 60).
F
Speech Controversies Controversies are campus incidents where a student, professor, or speaker faces backlash or pressure for speech that's protected by the First Amendment or academic freedom.
0
Overview
Texas State University ranks 112 out of 257 schools in the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings. Its score was 58, an F speech climate grade. Texas State still earns a “yellow light” Spotlight rating and has not adopted the Chicago Statement or an official commitment to institutional neutrality.Student perceptions place Texas State in the top 25 for “Administrative Support” for free expression and in the top 50 for “Comfort Expressing Ideas,” reflecting comparatively greater confidence in campus leadership and peer dialogue. The university ranks in the bottom 25 for “Disruptive Conduct,” showing a willingness to silence speakers.
Texas State could boost its standing by revising speech policies to earn a “green light” Spotlight rating, formally adopting the Chicago Statement and an official commitment to institutional neutrality – and clarifying that disruptive tactics have no place in campus debate.
Highlights
44% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
80% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is acceptable, at least in rare cases.
46% of students say using violence to stop someone from speaking on campus is acceptable, at least in rare cases.
1.96:1
There are roughly 1.96 liberal students for every one conservative student.
Spotlight Rating
Yellow
Score over time
Student Voices
Controversial topics in and out the the classroom are difficult to share sometimes as some one who is conservative on a campus that can have a more liberal mindset.
anything to do with the recent presidential election
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Score Deep Dive
Inside the Score
Explore the key factors shaping this score. This section provides a detailed look at the data, policies, and student experiences that influence free speech on campus.
Overall Score The Overall Score is made up of 12 parts. Six measure how students feel about free speech on campus. Three look at school speech policies. The last three look at how people on campus respond during speech controversies. A higher score reflects a better free speech climate.
58.2 Treanding Down
/ 100
This score out of 100 reflects how open and supportive a campus is for free speech, based on student surveys, campus policies, and recent speech-related controversies.
Overall Rank The Overall Rank shows where a school stands among the 257 institutions evaluated, based on its Overall Score.
112 Treanding Down
/ 257
A comparison of 257 U.S. colleges and universities on free speech, based on overall scores from student surveys, campus policies, and speech-related controversies.
Overall grade The Grade is a letter based on the college's rounded Overall Score. Scores fall into standard grade ranges from A (93-100) to F (below 60).
F
A school’s speech climate, shown as a letter grade (A–F), based on its overall score from student surveys, campus policies, and speech-related controversies.
Speech Controversies Controversies are campus incidents where a student, professor, or speaker faces backlash or pressure for speech that's protected by the First Amendment or academic freedom.
0
Reflect recent incidents where a speaker, professor, student, or student group faced efforts to punish, disinvite, or silence them for expressing a controversial view.
Chicago Statement for Free Speech
Not Adopted
Institutional Neutrality
Not Adopted
Spotlight Rating
Yellow
Comfort Expressing Ideas Comfort Expressing Ideas measures how comfortable students feel sharing their views on controversial topics in different campus settings. The grade falls into standard grade ranges from A (93-100) to F (below 60).
D
Disruptive Conduct Disruptive Conduct measures how acceptable students think it is to disrupt a campus speaker. The grade falls into standard grade ranges from A (93-100) to F (below 60).
C-
Openness Openness measures how many controversial topics students feel they can openly discuss on campus. The grade falls into standard grade ranges from A (93-100) to F (below 60).
C
Self-Censorship Self-Censorship measures how often students hold back their views on campus. The grade falls into standard grade ranges from A (93–100) to F (below 60).
F
Administrative Support Administrative Support measures how clearly students think their school supports free speech and how likely the administration is to defend a speaker's rights during a controversy. The grade falls into standard grade ranges from A (93-100) to F (below 60).
D
Political Tolerance Political Tolerance measures how willing students are to allow controversial speakers — on both the left and right — to speak on campus, even if they disagree with their views. The grade falls into standard grade ranges from A (93-100) to F (below 60).
F
Speech Controversies
Speech Controversies: When Free Expression Is Challenged
Explore notable incidents where free speech was tested on campus. From speaker deplatformings to administrative actions, these events highlight the challenges — and consequences — of restricting expression.
Total Controversies Controversies are campus incidents where a student, professor, or speaker faces backlash or pressure for speech that's protected by the First Amendment or academic freedom.
0
Scholars Under Fire Scholar Controversies are campus incidents where a professor or academic staff member faces backlash or punishment for speech protected by academic freedom or the First Amendment.
0
Students Under Fire Student Controversies are campus incidents where a student or student group faces punishment or pressure from the school for speech that's protected by the First Amendment.
0
Deplatformings Deplatformings are the number of incidents where a scheduled event or speaker is canceled or prevented from taking place.
0
Honor Roll Statements Honor Roll Statements are the number of public messages from a college or university defending free speech during a campus controversy. Schools that make these statements can earn bonus points on their Overall Score for standing up for free expression when it counts.
0
Attempted Disruptions Attempted Disruptions are the number of incidents where people on campus try to stop a scheduled event or speaker.
0
New in 2025 The number of controversies that have occurred since the previous launch of the College Free Speech Rankings.
0
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More Student Voices
Immigration is a very common topic that is talked about and I have dealt with in my life as family members were immigrants. At times it feels as putting in my input will just put a target on me referring to me as someone who's family should "go back to their country" especially with the 2024 election results i've seen several of my peers cheering on and saying they hope all poc get deported.
Survey Results
Survey Results: Student Perspectives
See how students at Texas State University perceive free speech on their campus. This section breaks down survey responses to key questions, providing insights into overall trends as well as demographic differences in how students experience free expression.
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See Your School's Ranking
The College Free Speech Rankings are based on student surveys, campus policies, and recent speech-related controversies.
FIRE Fights for Your Rights
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression defends and sustains the individual rights of all Americans to free speech and free thought — the most essential qualities of liberty. FIRE educates Americans about the importance of these inalienable rights, promotes a culture of respect for these rights, and provides the means to preserve them.
