Which colleges are considered the most dangerous?

I'm trying to put together a college list, and safety is an important factor for me. I heard about a list of the '100 most dangerous colleges.' Can anyone shed more light on this? How is 'danger' measured, and should it influence my decision?

Certainly! College safety is a valid concern. The 'most dangerous colleges' lists usually come from crime statistics reported by the colleges themselves under the Clery Act. This U.S. federal law requires all colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to keep and disclose information about crime on or near their respective campuses. The objective is transparency to promote safety and awareness.

These reports typically cover the number of incidents for various categories, like violent crimes (assault, robbery, etc.), property crimes (burglary, theft, etc.), sex offenses, alcohol and drug law violations, as well as hate crimes.

However, it's crucial to note that while these statistics can be informative, they don't tell the whole story. For instance, a college with higher reports isn't necessarily 'more dangerous'; it could just have a more diligent report system or higher student awareness about reporting crimes. Often, urban campuses might report higher crime rates because they're integrated with the city, and city crime rates can impact those numbers.

While considering these statistics, you should also consider other safety measures the colleges have in place, like secure dormitories, well-lit paths, emergency call stations around the campuses, safety patrols, and shuttle services for students.

You should use this data as one factor among many when making your decision. It's also advisable to visit the campuses if you can, speak with current students, and contact the campus safety offices to hear directly about the measures they take to ensure student safety. Using this combination of data and firsthand information can give you a more comprehensive picture of the safety of each college.