Indiana University Ranked America’s Worst Public College for Free Speech

A nonprofit called FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression) publishes an annual survey and rankings (called the College Free Speech Rankings) that measure how colleges perform on free speech, academic freedom, and related issues.

Indiana University’s Free Speech Report Card

In the most recent edition (2026), FIRE surveyed over 68,000 students at colleges and universities nationwide. Indiana University (IU) was placed No. 255 out of 257 schools, dropping 12 spots from last year’s report. The two schools below IU are both private, meaning Indiana is the very lowest among public universities. It’s a designation no school wants, but one that seems to stem from multiple incidents, policies, and student sentiment. Let’s break down what’s going on.

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IU’s overall score was about 43.9 out of 100, which translated into a failing grade for its “speech climate.”

Why IU Scored So Poorly

The report didn’t just pull a number out of thin air. Several factors contributed:

• Self-censorship: A large share of students say they hold back expressing opinions - either in class or in more public settings - because they're afraid of repercussions.
• Administrative policies and event responses: There were recent controversies, including a pro-Palestinian encampment protest. Right before students began setting up, the university adopted a policy banning unauthorized structures. State police were involved, and “snipers” were reported on the roof of the Student Union - this is all cited as having a chilling effect on speech.
• Perception of support (or lack thereof) from the administration: Only about 23% of IU students said the administration is “very” or “extremely” clear in protecting free speech. Almost half said administrators are “not at all” or “not very” likely to defend a speaker’s rights during a controversial moment.
• Expressive activity policy: There’s also a lawsuit by the ACLU of Indiana over IU’s expressive activity policy, which critics say severely limits overnight protests, gatherings, and other First Amendment activity.

Why Free Speech Rankings Matter for Students

These rankings and reports reveal more than just administrative missteps - they reflect how students perceive their ability to speak freely, express dissent, or engage in controversial conversations without fear of punishment. When “speech climate” erodes, it doesn’t just affect activism; it affects learning, academic rigor, debate, and innovation.

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Also, in case you’re wondering: this isn’t the first time IU has landed near the bottom. In previous years, it has been similarly ranked poorly in free speech surveys.

[h/t: Indy Star]