University of South Carolina

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- What we defend
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- Resources
- College Free Speech Rankings
  Presented by FIREand College Pulse, the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings is the largest survey of campus free expression ever performed.
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- National Speech Index
  The National Speech Index is a new quarterly component of America’s Political Pulse, an ongoing weekly survey that will allow researchers to track shifting free speech sentiment in America over time.
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University of South Carolina

Public University

Columbia, South Carolina

Chicago Statement for Free Speech Adopted

Free Speech Rankings

We use real student experiences, university policies, and speech controversies to annually determine the free speech rankings. This year FIREranked 257 U.S. colleges and universities and College Pulse surveyed more than 68,000 students.

Campus Speech Climate

Overall Score out of 100 70.30
Overall Ranking out of 257 22
Speech Climate Grade C-

Student Perceptions Rankings (out of 257 schools)

Openness 153
Administrative Support 19
Comfort Expressing Ideas 225
Disruptive Conduct 118
Self-Censorship 167
Political Tolerance 69

Campus Speech Policies

Spotlight Rating Green

Speech Controversies

Deplatformings 0
Scholars Under Fire 0
FIRE Under Fire 1
Honor Roll Statements 0

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