Hey guys, safety is a major concern for me and my family while choosing a college. I've read some worrying incidents about crime on certain campuses. So could anyone share some stats or sources that shed light on the most dangerous college campuses in America? Up-to-date information preferred. Thanks!
It's commendable that you are taking campus safety into serious consideration. While I won't pinpoint specific universities as the "most dangerous," I can provide some general guidelines on finding accurate and current information.
The best source for campus safety data is the Clery Act reports. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (also known as the Clery Act) is a federal statute that requires all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to keep and disclose information about crime on and near their respective campuses.
To access a specific school's data, you can typically go to the university's website and search for their "Annual Security Report" or “Clery Report.” These reports will have detailed information on all the reported crimes on campus in the last three years, including burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson, sexual offenses, robbery, domestic violence, and hate crimes.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education runs a database named Campus Safety and Security, which lets you quickly access and compare crime statistics for various colleges and universities. It's a useful tool for a side-by-side comparison of safety metrics.
Remember, while crime stats are a valuable tool, they are only one factor to consider when evaluating campus safety. It can also be beneficial to see what safety services the college provides, such as emergency call stations, safety escorts, and late-night transport options.
Another factor to consider is how the college communicates safety issues with students. Do they send timely warnings and safety updates? Is there an emergency notification system in place?
Lastly, if possible, try to visit the campus or speak with current students to get a sense of how safe they feel on campus. This subjective piece of information can provide another valuable layer to your consideration of each school's safety.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.