Which are the most dangerous college campuses in the US?

Hey everyone, safety is a top priority for me when it comes to choosing a college. I've seen rankings of the 'safest colleges', but I'd also like to know the opposite side - which are the most dangerous college campuses?

It's important to tread carefully around questions of safety since everybody's definition of what feels "safe" can vary drastically. However, I can share areas where campus safety could be considered an issue. Instead of labeling certain schools as "most dangerous", it might be more accurate to refer to colleges that have a higher number of reported campus safety incidents.

The Clery Act mandates every university in the U.S. to annually report crime statistics both on and near their campuses. These figures are public and can give you an indication of the crime rates at certain schools.

For instance, in the past, certain urban campuses have reported higher incidents of crime. This is often due not necessarily to the level of campus security, but the wider urban environment in which they’re located. Colleges in large cities, like the University of Illinois at Chicago, or the University of California, Los Angeles, might see higher numbers of reported incidents simply due to their urban location. However, this doesn't mean those campuses are inherently 'unsafe', just that they may present different safety considerations to be aware of compared to a rural or suburban campus.

Besides checking the Clery Act data, it's fruitful to consider the safety measures the campus institutes, like escort services after dark, comprehensive security patrols, tracked college ID access, and a strong campus police presence. All of these, combined with personal safety habits, can greatly enhance your safety, wherever you choose to go.

The key here is not to equate higher reported crime statistics with a "dangerous college." Many factors can influence these statistics, and the presence of robust reporting mechanisms might actually indicate a college administration that takes crime seriously and is transparent about campus safety issues. Simply, making the effort to understand what a campus does to maintain safety can be a crucial part of this decision.