Conscious Language Guide

At BestColleges, we define conscious language as language that is intentional, inclusive, and carefully chosen to reflect the experiences of diverse populations.

The higher education landscape in the U.S. was once a monolithic space, filled almost exclusively with affluent, white men. But over the last several decades, it has become increasingly diverse. Today’s learners hold various social identities, some of which have been historically excluded from higher education. Today, over 55% of college students in the U.S. are women, while students of color make up roughly 48% of the postsecondary student population.¹ Additionally, about 1 in 4 undergraduate students are parents,² and a rising percentage of students identify as LGBTQ+.³ To keep up with these changing demographics and ensure that all learners feel supported and empowered to succeed, BestColleges uses inclusive language. To help readers understand how we use language to highlight the diverse experiences of college students, BestColleges has published our Conscious Language Guide — a resource we check when preparing content for today’s college students and other readers. The guide covers many topics, including citizenship, disability, ethnicity, race, and nationality, family structure, physical, mental, and sexual health, nontraditional students, gender and sexuality, and socioeconomic status. We hope this guide will inform our readers about inclusive ways to engage with others through language.