The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
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Updated on August 21, 2023
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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$50,542
- Out-of-state$50,542
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$34,533
- Out-of-state$34,533
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate39%
- Students Enrolled14,001
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment33%
- AccreditationYes
#2 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Brown University
- Providence, RI
- 4 year
- Campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$59,254
- Out-of-state$59,254
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$59,254
- Out-of-state$59,254
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate8%
- Students Enrolled9,948
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment87%
- AccreditationYes
#3 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Connecticut College
- New London, CT
- 4 year
- Campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$58,660
- Out-of-state$58,660
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate38%
- Students Enrolled1,737
- 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$37,414
- Out-of-state$37,414
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$18,432
- Out-of-state$18,432
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate72%
- Students Enrolled7,117
- 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$53,070
- Out-of-state$53,070
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$43,800
- Out-of-state$43,800
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate19%
- Students Enrolled13,997
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment87%
- AccreditationYes
#6 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Ithaca College
- Ithaca, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$46,610
- Out-of-state$46,610
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$22,056
- Out-of-state$22,056
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled5,354
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- 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$9,375
- Out-of-state$25,251
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$10,212
- Out-of-state$23,050
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled20,854
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
#8 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Macalester College
- Saint Paul, MN
- 4 year
- Campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$58,248
- Out-of-state$58,248
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate39%
- Students Enrolled2,049
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment0%
- AccreditationYes
#9 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Montana State University
- Bozeman, MT
- 4 year
- Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$5,654
- Out-of-state$25,087
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$5,089
- Out-of-state$19,660
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled16,218
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment94%
- 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$10,243
- Out-of-state$16,248
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$10,309
- Out-of-state$18,630
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate82%
- Students Enrolled29,566
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
#11 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Northern Illinois University
- Dekalb, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$9,466
- Out-of-state$9,466
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$8,858
- Out-of-state$8,858
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate59%
- Students Enrolled16,769
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment15%
- 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$10,615
- Out-of-state$32,599
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$11,560
- Out-of-state$36,276
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate68%
- Students Enrolled61,369
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment94%
- 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$7,907
- Out-of-state$25,536
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$14,652
- Out-of-state$22,143
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate95%
- Students Enrolled23,640
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment36%
- AccreditationYes
#14 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Princeton University
- Princeton, NJ
- 4 year
- Campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$48,502
- Out-of-state$48,502
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$53,890
- Out-of-state$53,890
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate6%
- Students Enrolled7,853
- 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$9,208
- Out-of-state$28,010
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled46,655
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment82%
- 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$16,680
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate37%
- Students Enrolled36,334
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment99%
- AccreditationYes
#17 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Tufts University
- Medford, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$59,560
- Out-of-state$59,560
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$54,196
- Out-of-state$54,196
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate16%
- Students Enrolled12,219
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment93%
- 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$10,780
- Out-of-state$30,250
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$10,780
- Out-of-state$30,250
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled37,840
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment90%
- 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$34,930
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$11,826
- Out-of-state$31,284
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled37,437
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment91%
- 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$12,730
- Out-of-state$34,160
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$34,164
- Out-of-state$34,164
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled23,613
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment96%
- 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$11,966
- Out-of-state$28,312
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$13,260
- Out-of-state$27,374
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate65%
- Students Enrolled22,211
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment76%
- AccreditationYes
#22 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of Maine at Farmington
- Farmington, ME
- 4 year
- Campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$8,640
- Out-of-state$19,350
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate95%
- Students Enrolled1,862
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment69%
- 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$8,824
- Out-of-state$34,936
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$13,158
- Out-of-state$29,250
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate51%
- Students Enrolled40,709
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment93%
- 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$16,520
- Out-of-state$53,669
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$24,344
- Out-of-state$49,120
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate26%
- Students Enrolled47,907
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment91%
- AccreditationYes
#25 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of Nebraska at Kearney
- Kearney, NE
- 4 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 Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate88%
- Students Enrolled6,225
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment72%
- 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$7,747
- Out-of-state$23,398
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$5,675
- Out-of-state$21,328
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled31,142
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment93%
- 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$32,860
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$14,170
- Out-of-state$27,810
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled14,348
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment81%
- 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$6,463
- Out-of-state$22,801
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$5,920
- Out-of-state$18,489
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled22,311
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment51%
- 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$8,540
- Out-of-state$12,810
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$11,060
- Out-of-state$16,590
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled13,615
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment83%
- 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$3,996
- Out-of-state$16,799
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$8,570
- Out-of-state$19,585
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled16,926
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment98%
- 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$4,788
- Out-of-state$20,169
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$6,943
- Out-of-state$21,602
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled27,772
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment64%
- 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$53,166
- Out-of-state$53,166
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$37,678
- Out-of-state$37,678
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate9%
- Students Enrolled26,552
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment85%
- 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$13,992
- Out-of-state$38,970
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$14,560
- Out-of-state$28,610
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled28,669
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment95%
- 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$7,412
- Out-of-state$26,017
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$6,666
- Out-of-state$23,537
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled33,081
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment90%
- 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$16,392
- Out-of-state$41,280
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$12,294
- Out-of-state$30,960
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate71%
- Students Enrolled13,292
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment48%
- 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$10,629
- Out-of-state$37,998
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$16,278
- Out-of-state$29,178
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate56%
- Students Enrolled48,149
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment11%
- AccreditationYes
#37 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
- Eau Claire, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$7,361
- Out-of-state$15,636
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$8,027
- Out-of-state$18,061
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled11,017
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment82%
- AccreditationYes
#38 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Vanderbilt University
- Nashville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-State$52,781
- Out-of-state$52,781
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$50,082
- Out-of-state$50,082
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate12%
- Students Enrolled13,537
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment83%
- AccreditationYes
#39 The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
Virginia Wesleyan University
- Virginia Beach, VA
- 4 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 Rate64%
- Acceptance Rate74%
- Students Enrolled1,347
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment13%
- 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$56,300
- Out-of-state$56,300
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$56,300
- Out-of-state$56,300
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate16%
- Students Enrolled15,449
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment85%
- 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$8,976
- Out-of-state$25,320
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-State$10,134
- Out-of-state$26,154
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled26,269
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment94%
- 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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