Average Score The Average Score is the average of all Overall Scores from colleges in a state that were included in the College Free Speech Rankings.
53.1 Treanding Up
/ 100
Average Rank The Average Rank is the average of all Overall Ranks from colleges in a state that were included in the College Free Speech Rankings.
157 Treanding Up
/ 257
Average 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.
3
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).
D-
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).
F
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
Overview
Two Washington schools are ranked in the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings. The state’s average speech-climate grade is F, matching the national average.Washington State University ranks 59 overall and is the top-ranked school in the state. It performs well on “Disruptive Conduct” and “Administrative Support,” suggesting students are less likely to support shutting down speakers and believe administrators would protect free speech in a controversy. WSU holds a “yellow light” rating in FIRE’s Spotlight database, meaning its written policies threaten student expression. It has not adopted the pro-free speech Chicago Statement but has adopted a statement on institutional neutrality.
The University of Washington–Seattle ranks 254 and holds a “red light” rating, meaning its written policies clearly and substantially restrict protected expression. It has not adopted either statement. Adopting the Chicago Statement and revising restrictive policies could help improve the free-speech climates on Washington’s campuses.
Highlights
40% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
72% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is acceptable, at least in rare cases.
35% of students say using violence to stop someone from speaking on campus is acceptable, at least in rare cases.
3.11:1
Across Washington, there are roughly 3.11 liberal students for every one conservative student.
Average score over time
Speech Controversies
Speech Controversies: When Free Expression Is Challenged
Explore notable incidents where free speech was tested on campuses across Washington. From speaker deplatformings to administrative actions, these events highlight the challenges — and consequences — of restricting expression.
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.
3
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.
3
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.
1
Deplatformings
| Year | School | Target | Controversy Explanation | Score Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | University of Washington | Olivia Krolczyk | Krolczyk was invited to speak on campus about women's rights by the university's Turning Point USA chapter at an event titled "Protect Women from Men: The Threat of the Trans Agenda." Protesters surrounded the room where the talk was scheduled to take place. As the event began some protesters became more disruptive and one pulled the fire alarm in the building. Krolczyk and members of the Turning Point USA chapter barricaded themselves inside the room before they were escorted out by university police and security. | -3.0 |
| 2024 | University of Washington | Board of Regents Meeting | During a Board of Regents meeting, protestors affiliated with UW Divest for Palestine shouted down speakers during the public comment period of a proposal to form a committee to consider university divestment from "weapons comapnies" that do business with Israel. Protesters were warned by the board multiple times that the room would be cleared if the disruption continued. The board ultimately decided to adjourn the meeting "after disruptions made orderly conduct of the meeting impossible." | -2.0 |
| 2024 | University of Washington | Daniel Kurtzer | Kurtzer, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, was invited as the final speaker in the university's War in the Middle East Lecture Series. The UW United Front for Paelestinian Liberation organized a protest both outside the venue and in the hallways of the building. About 30 minutes into Kurtzer's talk a proteter began standing up and shouting over Kurtzer. The protester was removed by security. Abot 15 minutes later a different set of protesters began chanting and holding signs up. These protesters were also escorted out. In total, Kurtzer and the event organziers experienced seven different disruptions before the event ended early during the Q&A session. | -2.0 |
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Rankings and Survey Results
Rankings and Survey Results
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The College Free Speech Rankings are based on student surveys, campus policies, and recent speech-related controversies.
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