News | Administration

Columbia, Barnard move up but still fall behind most universities in national free speech rankings

The schools placed in the lowest quarter of ranked universities with students citing discomfort in expressing ideas, high self-censorship, and a lack of administrative support and political tolerance.

By Isabel Iino / Columbia Daily Spectator

Both schools claimed the bottom two spots in the 2026 rankings, but the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression said the scores improved due to policy changes.

By Harriet Engelke • September 10, 2026 at 2:23 AM

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