Identifying the Most Unsafe Colleges in Florida?

Hi guys, so Florida is my home state and I've been thinking of staying in-state for college. However, I've heard some colleges in Florida have high crime rates, specifically, within the campus or nearby area. I'm looking to avoid those if possible. Does anyone have a list of the most unsafe colleges in Florida or resources where I can get such information?

Hello there! It's commendable that you're factoring in safety when considering your college options - a key element that's sometimes overlooked. When speaking of "unsafe" schools, it often includes a range of crimes, from non-violent property crimes like theft to more serious and violent crimes.

One way to gauge crime levels is by referring to specific disclosures obliged by federal law. Under the Clery Act, colleges in the U.S. must disclaim information about crime on and near their campuses. They publish an Annual Security Report (ASR) that includes statistics about a range of crimes committed over the past three years. These reports provide facts relevant to the security of students and staff.

Do note, though, that simply comparing crime figures from school to school can lack context. A larger school can logically have more crime reporting due to a larger student body, but it doesn't necessarily indicate it's generally more unsafe than smaller schools.

Looking at ASRs can be time-consuming as you have to manually visit each school's website to find them. However, some websites compile this data for easy comparison between different schools. Please remember while these sources are generally accurate, they aren't guaranteed to be 100% accurate or up-to-date. Always confirm the information directly from the school's website or by contacting their office.

Given this, it might be more useful to shortlist a few colleges you're interested in based on their academic programs, financial aid, location, etc., and then delve into their safety reports.

Just keep in mind that safety can be subjective, and everyone's comfort levels are different. A statistically safer school might not feel safe for every individual. So consider visiting the campuses or talking to current students if possible, to get a feel of the safety situation yourself.