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  Presented by FIRE and College Pulse, the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings is the largest survey of campus free expression ever performed.
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College of Charleston

Public University

Charleston, South Carolina

Free Speech Rankings

We use real student experiences, university policies, and speech controversies to annually determine the free speech rankings. This year FIRE ranked 257 U.S. colleges and universities and College Pulse surveyed more than 68,000 students.

Explore College Free Speech Rankings

Campus Speech Climate

Overall Score out of 100 55.70
Overall Ranking out of 257 178
Speech Climate Grade F

Student Perceptions Rankings (out of 257 schools)

Openness 244
Administrative Support 147
Comfort Expressing Ideas 216
Disruptive Conduct 13
Self-Censorship 214
Political Tolerance 205

Campus Speech Policies

Spotlight Rating Yellow

Speech Controversies

Deplatformings 0
Scholars Under Fire 0
Students Under Fire 0
Honor Roll Statements 0

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