What are considered the most dangerous college campuses in the US?

Hello! I've been hearing a lot about safety issues on college campuses lately. Safety is a top priority for me and I want to be aware of the reality before I make any decisions. Could anyone share information on the most reputedly dangerous college campuses in the US? Thanks in advance.

It's commendable that you're taking safety into account in your college decision, as it's an important aspect of a college experience. However, determining which college campuses are the "most dangerous" isn't as clear cut as one might think. That's because measuring campus safety can be influenced by various factors such as the size of the student population, location (urban, suburban, or rural), and a number of other diverse components.

Nevertheless, there are few surveys and studies that have tried to compile data on this subject, primarily through assessing the number of crimes reported on and nearby the campus each year. This can include offenses such as burglary, car theft, robbery, assault, or sexual offenses.

For instance, a 2020 list published by Alarms.org (based on data from the National Center for Education Statistics and the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting) mentions the University of New Mexico, the University of Nevada – Las Vegas, and New Mexico State University as the universities with the most reported crimes per capita. But keep in mind, this report heavily leans on reported crimes, which might not provide a fully comprehensive view, as not all crimes get reported.

Additionally, some safety concerns on college campuses can also come from non-criminal but potentially hazardous situations, such as poor lighting on campus paths, lack of emergency call stations, safety procedures in dormitories, etc.

It's also important to consider safety measures that colleges implement to protect their students. These may include initiatives like campus police Patrol, text alerts for emergencies, safety escort services, safety awareness programs, adequate lighting, well-maintained infrastructure, and more. You can usually find this information on a college's official website in the campus safety or police department section.

Therefore, rather than basing your decision primarily on lists or statistics that declare colleges as "most dangerous", look into the colleges you are interested in and evaluate their safety measures and statistics. That would provide you a more comprehensive view of campus safety.

Also, always remember, statistics reflect past incidents and it's always good to check out recent news, or get the perspective of current students or recent graduates to get a better feel of the safety on campus.

Lastly, irrespective of where you go, it's always essential to be aware of your surroundings, know services and resources available to you on campus, learn the campus safety procedures, and always communicate any safety concerns you might have with the college authorities.