The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
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Updated on December 12, 2024
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There are colleges in every state that provide notable LGBTQ+ support services. Find out which schools made our list for best colleges for LGBTQ+ students in each state.
According to the American Council of Education, identity development, campus climate, and policy remain the most critical components of support for LGBTQ+ students. Many colleges struggle to provide data-driven programs to support these students. However, some schools have made advances to provide targeted support for trans and nonbinary students, LGBTQ+ students, and LGBTQ+ students of color.
In partnership with Campus Pride, BestColleges has compiled a list of LGBTQ+-friendly colleges, highlighting the best colleges for LGBTQ+ students in several states.
What Is Campus Pride?
Campus Pride serves LGBTQ+ and allied student leaders and campus organizations in leadership development, support programs, and services to create safer, more inclusive, and LGBTQ+-friendly colleges and universities. It exists to develop, support, and give voice and action
in building future LGBTQ+ and ally student leaders.
Campus Pride Resources for LGBTQ+ College Students
- Campus Pride National Scholarship Database
- LGBTQ on Campus Online Trainings
- Effective LGBTQ Strategies for a Safer, More Welcoming Campus
- Transgender Membership in Fraternities and Sororities and Title IX
How Do We Rank LGBTQ+-Friendly Colleges in Each State?
In partnership with Campus Pride, BestColleges presents this list of the most LGBTQ+-friendly colleges in each state. In addition to the Campus Pride Index rating scale, BestColleges has included its own ranking methodology that emphasizes college affordability and important academic quality metrics, including admissions, enrollment, graduation, and accreditation:
- Academic Quality: To assess academic quality, we focus on what we believe are the most important distinguishing factors. We compare a school’s admission rate to its enrollment rate to gauge the rigor and competitiveness of a school. We use full-time retention rate (or, the rate at which students return after their freshman year) to rank a school’s effectiveness at keeping students enrolled. Similarly, graduation rate is crucial in weighing how many enrolled students successfully complete their degree program (note that graduation rate measures full-time, first-time students).
- College Affordability: Our affordability score considers the cost of college (average net price) with the amount borrowed (percentage of students taking loans) and the ability to repay a loan after graduation (average loan default rate). Our goal is to reward schools not only offering competitive tuition but also those that provide students with the skills needed to graduate and successfully enter the workforce.
Please note: A number of schools on this list are within states with standing and/or pending anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. While we acknowledge the resources and services offered to LGBTQ+ students at these schools, please consider state and local laws before making a decision to attend any of these schools.
It is important to note that the following list does not include states where no schools rank on the Campus Pride Index or states that do not have at least a four-star rating on the Campus Pride Index.
The Best Colleges for LGBTQ+ Students in Each State in 2022
#1 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
American University
Washington, DC- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$53,070
- Out-of-state$53,070
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$38,139
- Out-of-state$38,139
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate47%
- Students Enrolled13,019
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment29%
- AccreditationYes
#2 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Brown University
- Providence, RI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$62,680
- Out-of-state$62,680
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$62,680
- Out-of-state$62,680
- Retention Rate99%
- Acceptance Rate5%
- Students Enrolled11,516
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment5%
- AccreditationYes
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$62,235
- Out-of-state$62,235
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$13,950
- Out-of-state$13,950
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate38%
- Students Enrolled1,948
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment0%
- AccreditationYes
#4 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Elon University
- Elon, NC
- 4 year
- Campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$41,734
- Out-of-state$41,734
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$19,494
- Out-of-state$19,494
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled7,207
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment0%
- AccreditationYes
#5 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Emory University
- Atlanta, GA
- 4 year
- Campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$57,120
- Out-of-state$57,120
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$45,800
- Out-of-state$45,800
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate11%
- Students Enrolled14,830
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment37%
- AccreditationYes
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$48,126
- Out-of-state$48,126
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$25,128
- Out-of-state$25,128
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled4,828
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment19%
- AccreditationYes
#7 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Kansas State University
- Manhattan, KS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$9,964
- Out-of-state$26,838
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$10,294
- Out-of-state$23,018
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled19,745
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment49%
- AccreditationYes
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$62,270
- Out-of-state$62,270
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate28%
- Students Enrolled2,175
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
#9 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Montana State University
- Bozeman, MT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$5,824
- Out-of-state$27,391
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$5,241
- Out-of-state$21,469
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled16,978
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment20%
- AccreditationYes
#10 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Northern Arizona University
- Flagstaff, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$11,352
- Out-of-state$27,600
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$11,103
- Out-of-state$20,817
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate91%
- Students Enrolled28,194
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
#11 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Northern Illinois University
- Dekalb, IL
- 4 year
- Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$9,790
- Out-of-state$9,790
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$9,066
- Out-of-state$9,066
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance Rate71%
- Students Enrolled15,649
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment67%
- AccreditationYes
#12 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Ohio State University
- Columbus, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$11,936
- Out-of-state$36,173
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$12,092
- Out-of-state$38,693
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate51%
- Students Enrolled60,046
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment64%
- AccreditationYes
#13 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Portland State University
- Portland, OR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$9,315
- Out-of-state$28,215
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$15,048
- Out-of-state$26,040
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate91%
- Students Enrolled20,519
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
#14 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Princeton University
- Princeton, NJ
- 4 year
- Campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$57,410
- Out-of-state$57,410
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$57,410
- Out-of-state$57,410
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate4%
- Students Enrolled8,922
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment81%
- AccreditationYes
#15 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Purdue University
- West Lafayette, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$9,208
- Out-of-state$28,010
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$9,718
- Out-of-state$28,520
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate50%
- Students Enrolled52,211
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment35%
- AccreditationYes
#16 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
San Diego State University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,622
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$19,140
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate34%
- Students Enrolled37,539
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
#17 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Tufts University
- Medford, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$63,804
- Out-of-state$63,804
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$54,196
- Out-of-state$54,196
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate10%
- Students Enrolled13,274
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment17%
- AccreditationYes
#18 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of Alabama
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$11,100
- Out-of-state$32,400
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$11,100
- Out-of-state$31,460
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled39,622
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment42%
- AccreditationYes
#19 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of Colorado Boulder
- Boulder, CO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$10,728
- Out-of-state$36,546
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$15,251
- Out-of-state$35,017
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled39,089
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment35%
- AccreditationYes
#20 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of Delaware
- Newark, DE
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$14,040
- Out-of-state$37,680
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$17,622
- Out-of-state$17,622
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled23,568
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
#21 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of Louisville
- Louisville, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$12,336
- Out-of-state$28,680
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$13,944
- Out-of-state$28,906
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled22,139
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
#22 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of Maine at Farmington
- Farmington, ME
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$8,640
- Out-of-state$20,400
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$10,248
- Out-of-state$10,248
- Retention Rate71%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled1,837
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment45%
- AccreditationYes
#23 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of Maryland
- College Park, MD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$9,889
- Out-of-state$38,690
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$16,238
- Out-of-state$35,388
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate45%
- Students Enrolled40,813
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment27%
- AccreditationYes
#24 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- Ann Arbor, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$19,058
- Out-of-state$61,810
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$25,894
- Out-of-state$52,124
- Retention Rate98%
- Acceptance Rate18%
- Students Enrolled52,065
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment14%
- AccreditationYes
#25 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of Nebraska at Kearney
- Kearney, NE
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$6,270
- Out-of-state$13,650
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$6,216
- Out-of-state$13,656
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate86%
- Students Enrolled6,017
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment71%
- AccreditationYes
#26 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
- Las Vegas, NV
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$8,355
- Out-of-state$25,311
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$5,976
- Out-of-state$22,518
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate86%
- Students Enrolled31,093
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment61%
- AccreditationYes
#27 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of New Hampshire
- Durham, NH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$15,520
- Out-of-state$35,290
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$14,170
- Out-of-state$27,810
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled13,679
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
#28 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of New Mexico
- Albuquerque, NM
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$8,504
- Out-of-state$25,139
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$6,287
- Out-of-state$20,442
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled22,389
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
#29 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of North Dakota
- Grand Forks, ND
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$9,237
- Out-of-state$13,856
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$11,963
- Out-of-state$17,944
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled14,172
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
#30 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of North Florida
- Jacksonville, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$4,290
- Out-of-state$17,999
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$8,570
- Out-of-state$19,585
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate62%
- Students Enrolled16,453
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment75%
- AccreditationYes
#31 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of Oklahoma
- Norman, OK
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$5,070
- Out-of-state$22,140
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$8,034
- Out-of-state$23,820
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled29,166
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment51%
- AccreditationYes
#32 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$56,212
- Out-of-state$56,212
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$39,838
- Out-of-state$39,838
- Retention Rate98%
- Acceptance Rate6%
- Students Enrolled23,790
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment14%
- AccreditationYes
#33 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of Texas at Dallas
- Richardson, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$16,412
- Out-of-state$45,100
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$15,088
- Out-of-state$29,252
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate65%
- Students Enrolled30,885
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment36%
- AccreditationYes
#34 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of Utah
- Salt Lake City, UT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$9,103
- Out-of-state$31,861
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$7,353
- Out-of-state$25,961
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled35,262
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
#35 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of Vermont
- Burlington, VT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$16,280
- Out-of-state$41,280
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$12,204
- Out-of-state$30,960
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate60%
- Students Enrolled14,320
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment27%
- AccreditationYes
#36 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of Washington
- Seattle, WA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$12,643
- Out-of-state$39,687
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$17,004
- Out-of-state$30,477
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate43%
- Students Enrolled55,230
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment19%
- AccreditationYes
#37 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
- Eau Claire, WI
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$7,645
- Out-of-state$16,884
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$8,188
- Out-of-state$18,603
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate86%
- Students Enrolled9,416
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
#38 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Vanderbilt University
- Nashville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$58,130
- Out-of-state$58,130
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$53,160
- Out-of-state$53,160
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate6%
- Students Enrolled13,456
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment10%
- AccreditationYes
#39 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Virginia Wesleyan University
- Virginia Beach, VA
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$36,010
- Out-of-state$36,010
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$8,982
- Out-of-state$8,982
- Retention Rate69%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled1,547
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment23%
- AccreditationYes
#40 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Washington University in St. Louis
- Saint Louis, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$59,420
- Out-of-state$59,420
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$59,420
- Out-of-state$59,420
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate12%
- Students Enrolled16,500
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment12%
- AccreditationYes
#41 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
West Virginia University
- Morgantown, WV
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$9,360
- Out-of-state$26,568
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$10,602
- Out-of-state$27,450
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate88%
- Students Enrolled24,741
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment53%
- AccreditationYes
State Resources for LGBTQ+ College Students
Resources for LGBTQ+ Youth By State
Lambda Legal is a nonprofit organization that provides legal advocacy for members of the LGBTQ+ community. This comprehensive list includes the organization’s wide range of online and in-person resources.
LGBTQ+ Youth Centers by State
This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention database lists more than 30 reports, pamphlets, and other publications aimed at LGBTQ+ youth, parents, teachers, school administrators, and allies.
Campus Pride LGBTQ Scholarship Database
This extensive collection of financial aid opportunities includes LGBTQ+ scholarships and grants of varying amounts. Many of these awards are reserved for certain academic majors or LGBTQ+ subgroups.
Meet Our Campus Pride Experts
Genny Beemyn, Ph.D.
Genny Beemyn is a leading expert on the experiences of trans people in the United States, particularly the lives of trans students, and on the development of trans-inclusive college policies and practices. They are the director of the Stonewall Center at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and the Trans Policy Clearinghouse coordinator for Campus Pride.
Shane L. Windmeyer, M.S., Ed.
Shane Windmeyer is a leading author on LGBTQ+ campus issues, national leader in LGBTQ+ civil rights, and a champion for LGBTQ+ issues on college campuses. He is co-founder and executive director of Campus Pride. Windmeyer is also the author of The Advocate College Guide for LGBTQ+ Students, the first-ever college guide profiling the “100 Best LGBTQ-Friendly Campuses.”
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