Four Ohio universities, including The Ohio State University, received failing grades in the latest free speech rankings from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). The 2027 College Free Speech rankings, based on a survey of nearly 63,000 students nationwide, assessed 261 colleges and universities across the country.
Ohio State University ranked No. 174 nationally with an overall score of 58.18 and an F climate grade. Kent State University (No. 189), Oberlin College (No. 194), and the University of Dayton (No. 237) also received F grades from FIRE. Ohio State experienced the biggest negative change among Ohio schools, dropping from No. 124 in last year's survey.
Out of 13 Ohio colleges and universities ranked, most received D or D- grades. Wright State University led the Ohio institutions at No. 64, followed by Kenyon College (No. 76) and Miami University (No. 77), all earning D grades. Case Western Reserve University, ranked No. 121 with a D- grade, showed the biggest positive change, moving up from No. 163 last year. Other Ohio universities included Bowling Green State University (No. 80, D), Denison University (No. 88, D), University of Toledo (No. 91, D), Ohio University (No. 101, D-), and University of Cincinnati (No. 108, D-).
This marks the seventh consecutive year FIRE has conducted this survey, which now assigns letter grades to universities. Nationwide, 121 out of 261 universities, slightly less than half, received a failing grade for their campus speech climate. Only 24 institutions earned a C or better. FIRE's overall score for each college or university was based on 12 factors. These factors included students' comfort expressing ideas, self-censorship, disruptive conduct, administrative support, openness, political tolerance, the Chicago statement, institutional neutrality, FIRE’s spotlight rating, and various speech controversies on campus.
The survey also revealed topics students nationwide found difficult to discuss openly on campus. Half of all students surveyed reported the Israeli–Palestinian conflict was challenging to discuss. Slightly less than half, 46% of students, said President Donald Trump was hard to talk about. Other difficult topics included right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed last September while speaking at Utah Valley University, mentioned by 44% of students. Abortion (43%), immigration (38%), and transgender rights (38%) were also cited as difficult to discuss.
Ohio State's decline in the rankings follows specific campus policy changes last summer. The university banned chalking on campus and required all dorm decor in common areas to be Ohio State-specific.
Additionally, Ohio Senate Bill 1 took effect last summer. This legislation bans diversity efforts, regulates classroom discussion, prohibits faculty strikes, creates post-tenure reviews, puts diversity scholarships at risk, and includes a retrenchment provision that blocks unions from negotiating on tenure, among other measures.