Best Colleges for LGBTQ+ Students in 2024
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- As of 2020, nearly 17% of U.S. college students identified as LGBTQ+.
- Housing, healthcare, student groups, and campus safety are important to LGBTQ+ students.
- View our list of the top-ranked LGBTQ+-friendly colleges in the United States.
College diversity initiatives have expanded their definition to include LGBTQ+ students. This is due to changes and improvements made to campus climates to create a robust support network for students.
This network includes student organizations, inclusive healthcare and counseling services, and support centers.
This ranking looks at the top LGBTQ+-friendly colleges. These institutions rank among the best in their efforts to support and provide academic, financial, and social resources for LGBTQ+ students.
Top LGBTQ+ Friendly Colleges in 2024
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY- 2 year
- Campus + Online
Ithaca College provides a vibrant and engaged community for LGBTQ+ students through its Center for LGBT Education, Outreach and Services. The center, founded in 1999, supports both the academic and social needs of the community and its allies.
Campuswide events include an Ithaca Pride walking tour of historically meaningful sites in Ithaca, an important site for LGBTQ+ rights. It also hosts speakers, film series, receptions, and other social gatherings.
- In-State$46,610
- Out-of-state$46,610
- In-State$22,056
- Out-of-state$22,056
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled5,054
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment28%
- AccreditationYes
George Mason University
- Fairfax, VA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
George Mason University started its LGBTQ+ Resource Center in 2002 to create a welcoming environment for its LGBTQ+ community.
The center offers resources, including a Trans Clothing Closet, a mentorship program, and Identity Nights, where students from different identity groups can hang out. The center also funds the Queer Student Leadership Council, a group of students who advocate for the LGBTQ+ community at the university.
- In-State$9,796
- Out-of-state$33,960
- In-State$13,426
- Out-of-state$35,377
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled39,049
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment78%
- AccreditationYes
Bridgewater State University
- Bridgewater, MA
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
Approximately 12% of Bridgewater State University’s student population identifies as LGBTQ+, and as such, the campus offers a wide variety of sources for students to understand and explore LGBTQ+ identity and culture.
The Pride Center offers a number of signature programs, including Big Queer Welcome, the Pride365 mentorship program, and the Queer Prom, which is held every spring semester.
- In-State$910
- Out-of-state$7,050
- In-State$1,675
- Out-of-state$840
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate88%
- Students Enrolled9,604
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
University of Colorado Boulder
- Boulder, CO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The University of Colorado Boulder's Division of Student Affairs opened the Pride Office to build a sense of belonging among the LGBTQ+ campus community. The office offers resources, consultations for students and staff, healthcare guides, and more.
The Pride Office also hosts a yearly conference on gender and an art gallery depicting trans people called TRANSCEND. Its Safe Zone training is a workshop that helps groups learn about different gender identities and sexual orientations and how to create inclusive learning environments.
- In-State$10,806
- Out-of-state$36,554
- In-State$12,168
- Out-of-state$32,220
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled39,000
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment73%
- AccreditationYes
SUNY Oneonta
- Oneonta, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
SUNY Oneonta’s Gender and Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC) offers a plethora of notable resources for students to learn about gender and sexuality, including the PRISM conference that invites regional and national speakers from around the country to speak on LGBTQ+ issues that impact college students.
GSRC also offers a resource guide for transgender students to help them navigate various aspects of campus life, from athletics to housing.
- In-State$7,070
- Out-of-state$16,980
- In-State$11,310
- Out-of-state$23,100
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate73%
- Students Enrolled5,430
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment77%
- AccreditationYes
Emory University
- Atlanta, GA
- 4 year
- Campus
Emory University’s Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Life seeks to create an affirming environment for queer students on campus while also supporting their identity development.
Each year, the Office of LGBT Life participates in the annual Atlanta Pride Parade and Festival and also offers specific resources and an affinity group for queer and trans students of color.
- In-State$54,660
- Out-of-state$54,660
- In-State$44,800
- Out-of-state$45,800
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate11%
- Students Enrolled14,852
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment49%
- AccreditationYes
Northern Illinois University
- Dekalb, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Northern Illinois University's Gender and Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC) helps students connect with resources and networks through an intersectional lens.
LGBTQ+ students and allies can volunteer as speakers with GSRC's Speakers Bureau, where they can talk about their experiences during on-campus trainings and in the community. They also offer Ally Training for students and the community.
NIU also offers an LGBTQ+ living-learning community.
- In-State$9,790
- Out-of-state$9,790
- In-State$9,066
- Out-of-state$9,066
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance Rate71%
- Students Enrolled15,649
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment70%
- AccreditationYes
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
- Eau Claire, WI
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire has a significant number of resources for members of the LGBTQ+ community to get involved in social, educational, and advocacy programs through the Gender & Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC). Whether it's through regular campus events, housing and safe spaces, or training opportunities, there is robust support available.
There are many ways for students to get involved at the GSRC, with volunteer or service learning opportunities.
- In-State$9,276
- Out-of-state$17,627
- In-State$8,188
- Out-of-state$18,603
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled9,605
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment51%
- AccreditationYes
Northern Kentucky University
- Highland Heights, KY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Northern Kentucky University’s LGBTQ+ Student Initiatives envisions an identity-affirming and inclusive environment in which all students on the gender and sexuality spectrum feel welcome, seen, and supported.
NKU has a network of staff and faculty that serve as mentors and support systems for LGBTQ+ students, and this year, NKU held its inaugural You Matter Institute to offer a positive and enthusiastic experience for students to build a strong foundation of support through peer mentoring and community-building activities.
- In-State$10,200
- Out-of-state$20,472
- In-State$9,900
- Out-of-state$15,210
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate86%
- Students Enrolled15,801
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment76%
- AccreditationYes
Stockton University
- Galloway, NJ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Stockton University’s Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Center (WGSC) has a number of organizations for LGBTQ+ students to participate in, including the Queer & Trans People of Color Society and the Pride Alliance.
As WGSC states, “Being LGBTQIA+ at Stockton means you are part of a growing community here at Stockton, and we strive to create a safe and supportive environment for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
- In-State$12,740
- Out-of-state$20,474
- In-State$14,346
- Out-of-state$20,916
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate86%
- Students Enrolled9,080
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment61%
- AccreditationYes
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Cambridge, MA
- 4 year
- Campus
Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s LGBTQ+ Services mission is to ensure a safe and supportive community for students of diverse gender, romantic, and sexual identities, with a specific emphasis and commitment to racial justice.
In addition to Rainbow Compass, a peer mentorship program where students are matched with LGBTQ+ faculty and staff, LGBTQ+ Services offers a comprehensive library of LGBTQ+ books, videos, and educational resources. MIT also holds a Lavender Celebration for graduating LGBTQ+ students every year in May.
- In-State$55,510
- Out-of-state$55,510
- In-State$55,510
- Out-of-state$55,510
- Retention Rate99%
- Acceptance Rate4%
- Students Enrolled11,858
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment1%
- AccreditationYes
Georgia Institute of Technology
- Atlanta, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Georgia Tech’s LGBTQIA+ Resource Center works to build an intentional community that focuses on the interconnectedness of gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation while creating a space for healing and liberation.
The resource center offers educational workshops for allies, an informal coffee happy hour for LGBTQ+ students every month, and financial and economic resources specific to queer and trans students.
- In-State$10,258
- Out-of-state$31,370
- In-State$14,064
- Out-of-state$29,140
- Retention Rate98%
- Acceptance Rate17%
- Students Enrolled45,296
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment62%
- AccreditationYes
Carnegie Mellon University
- Pittsburgh, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Carnegie Mellon University’s Division of Student Affairs has done considerable work to support LGBTQ+ students, providing internal CMU resources that are both school-specific and campus-wide.
CMU notably offers specialized healthcare for LGBTQ+ students, a trans and gender-diverse graduation guide, and student organizations for trans students and LGBTQ+ graduate students.
- In-State$57,560
- Out-of-state$57,560
- In-State$46,441
- Out-of-state$47,629
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate11%
- Students Enrolled16,663
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment31%
- AccreditationYes
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
- Amherst, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The Stonewall Center at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst is a resource center for LGBTQIA+ students. They offer on-campus and local resources for transgender students, including a map to gender-inclusive restrooms and a guide to changing your name at Amherst.
It also offers an LGBTQIA+ Peer Mentorship Program and Out @ UMass, a list of our faculty and staff.
- In-State$16,591
- Out-of-state$38,527
- In-State$14,364
- Out-of-state$31,489
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled32,229
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment20%
- AccreditationYes
How Do We Rank LGBTQ+-Friendly Colleges?
Each year, we reach out to over 1,000 colleges so they can self-report the services and resources offered to LGBTQ+ students. In consultation with Dr. Genny Beemyn, a veteran expert in the field of LGBTQ+ higher education issues and student experiences, we specifically identify three key areas in our survey:
- Nondiscrimination Protection: LGBTQ+ students too often experience discrimination on college campuses and need institutional recourse and support. Colleges not only need to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” as protected classes in their nondiscrimination and Title IX policies, but must also back it up by discussing the mistreatment of LGBTQ+ people in mandatory sexual harassment trainings and vigorously addressing acts of anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination.
- Equal Access: Many trans and nonbinary students do not have equal access to higher education because they are denied the ability to attend college as themselves. They are misgendered and misnamed in administrative systems and do not have access to campus housing and restrooms in keeping with their gender identity.
- LGBTQ+ Center: The colleges that have been found to be the most inclusive of trans and nonbinary students are institutions that have an LGBTQ+ center that can provide programming, a community space, and a full-time center director who can push for LGBTQ+-supportive policies.
In addition to our survey, BestColleges also incorporates its own ranking methodology that emphasizes the following factors to produce this list:
- 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 the 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).
- Diversity & Inclusion: Our assessment of campus diversity and inclusion focuses on a student’s ability to navigate college regardless of socioeconomic status and accounts for the diversity of the student population across race and ethnicity. Additionally, we also consider whether a school has explicit anti-LGBTQ+ policies that target LGBTQ+ 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.
Using the campus survey and ranking methodology, we can produce a comprehensive list of schools that both support LGBTQ+ students and also offer a great value, high-quality education for college students.
Helping LGBTQ+ Students Choose the Right College
Although the number of LGBTQ+ students attending U.S. colleges is increasing, these students still face challenges. These challenges can be related to their identities, mental health, safety concerns, and a lack of institutional policies to protect them.
There are factors to consider when choosing an LGBTQ+-friendly college. Peer support from LGBTQ+ organizations or mentorship programs can offer a safe space to explore identity or socialize with like-minded individuals.
The school’s Infrastructure is also critical to creating a climate of inclusion, particularly through gender-inclusive housing, inclusive restrooms, and faculty and staff representation.
Adequate health services that provide counseling and gender-affirming treatment are also important factors.
A recent report by the Proud and Thriving Project found that LGBTQ+ students experience greater incidences of mental health conditions than their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts, making adequate mental health resources critical.
Frequently Asked Questions About LGBTQ+-Friendly Colleges
A 2020 American College Health Association study reported that out of a cohort of 8,000 students surveyed, 21% identified as LGBTQ+.
Of the top LGBTQ+-serving institutions, the University of Washington has the largest overall student population — and a strong support system for the LGBTQ+ community. The University of Texas at Arlington, Rutgers University, and University of Maryland, College Park have the next largest total populations, with comprehensive support available for LGBTQ+ students.
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