This story was produced by BestColleges and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.
Best colleges for LGBTQ+ students in 2024
- 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 the BestColleges 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
BestColleges used trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools. Sponsored results from partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
- Ithaca, NY | 2 years | Online + Campus
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.
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-state: $46,610
- Out-of-state: $46,610
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-state: $22,056
- Out-of-state: $22,056
ROI Score: Medium
Retention Rate: 83%
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Students Enrolled: 5,054
Institution Type: Private
Percent Online Enrollment: 28%
Accreditation: Yes
- Fairfax, VA | 4 years | Online + Campus
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.
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-state: $9,796
- Out-of-state: $33,960
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-state: $13,426
- Out-of-state: $35,377
ROI Score: High
Retention Rate: 85%
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Students Enrolled: 39,049
Institution Type: Public
Percent Online Enrollment: 78%
Accreditation: Yes
3. Bridgewater State University
- Bridgewater, MA | 2 years | Online + Campus
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.
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-state: $910
- Out-of-state: $7,050
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-state: $1,675
- Out-of-state: $840
ROI Score: High
Retention Rate: 75%
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Students Enrolled: 9,604
Institution Type: Public
Percent Online Enrollment: 44%
Accreditation: Yes
4. University of Colorado Boulder
- Boulder, CO | 4 years | Online + Campus
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.
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-state: $10,806
- Out-of-state: $36,554
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-state: $12,168
- Out-of-state: $32,220
ROI Score: High
Retention Rate: 87%
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Students Enrolled: 39,000
Institution Type: Public
Percent Online Enrollment: 73%
Accreditation: Yes
5. SUNY Oneonta
- Oneonta, NY | 4 years | Online + Campus
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.
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-state: $7,070
- Out-of-state: $16,980
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-state: $11,310
- Out-of-state: $23,100
ROI Score: High
Retention Rate: 73%
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Students Enrolled: 5,430
Institution Type: Public
Percent Online Enrollment: 77%
Accreditation: Yes
- Atlanta, GA | 4 years | 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.
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-state: $54,660
- Out-of-state: $54,660
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-state: $44,800
- Out-of-state: $45,800
ROI Score: Medium
Retention Rate: 95%
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Students Enrolled: 14,852
Institution Type: Private
Percent Online Enrollment: 49%
Accreditation: Yes
7. Northern Illinois University
- Dekalb, IL | 4 years | Online + Campus
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 training and in the community. They also offer Ally Training for students and the community.
NIU also offers an LGBTQ+ living-learning community.
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-state: $9,790
- Out-of-state: $9,790
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-state: $9,066
- Out-of-state: $9,066
ROI Score: Medium
Retention Rate: 65%
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Students Enrolled: 15,649
Institution Type: Public
Percent Online Enrollment: 70%
Accreditation: Yes
8. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
- Eau Claire, WI | 2 years | Online + Campus
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.
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-state: $9,276
- Out-of-state: $17,627
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-state: $8,188
- Out-of-state: $18,603
ROI Score: Medium
Retention Rate: 81%
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Students Enrolled: 9,605
Institution Type: Public
Percent Online Enrollment: 51%
Accreditation: Yes
9. Northern Kentucky University
- Highland Heights, KY | 4 years | Online + Campus
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. 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.
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-state: $10,200
- Out-of-state: $20,472
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-state: $9,900
- Out-of-state: $15,210
ROI Score: Medium
Retention Rate: 77%
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Students Enrolled: 15,801
Institution Type: Public
Percent Online Enrollment: 76%
Accreditation: Yes
- Galloway, NJ | 4 years | Online + Campus
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."
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-state: $12,740
- Out-of-state: $20,474
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-state: $14,346
- Out-of-state: $20,916
ROI Score: Medium
Retention Rate: 78%
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Students Enrolled: 9,080
Institution Type: Public
Percent Online Enrollment: 61%
Accreditation: Yes
11. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Cambridge, MA | 4 years | Online + 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.
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-state: $55,510
- Out-of-state: $55,510
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-state: $55,510
- Out-of-state: $55,510
ROI Score: High
Retention Rate: 99%
Acceptance Rate: 4%
Students Enrolled: 11,858
Institution Type: Private
Percent Online Enrollment: 1%
Accreditation: Yes
12. Georgia Institute of Technology
- Atlanta, GA | 4 years | Online + Campus
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.
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-state: $10,258
- Out-of-state: $31,370
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-state: $14,064
- Out-of-state: $29,140
ROI Score: High
Retention Rate: 98%
Acceptance Rate: 17%
Students Enrolled: 45,296
Institution Type: Public
Percent Online Enrollment: 62%
Accreditation: Yes
13. Carnegie Mellon University
- Pittsburgh, PA | 4 years | Online + Campus
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.
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-state: $57,560
- Out-of-state: $57,560
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-state: $46,441
- Out-of-state: $47,629
ROI Score: High
Retention Rate: 97%
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Students Enrolled: 16,663
Institution Type: Private
Percent Online Enrollment: 31%
Accreditation: Yes
14. University of Massachusetts-Amherst
- Amherst, MA | 4 years | Online + Campus
The Stonewall Center at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst is a resource center for LGBTQIA+ students. It offers 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 the school's openly out faculty and staff.
Average Undergrad Tuition
- In-state: $16,591
- Out-of-state: $38,527
Average Graduate Tuition
- In-state: $14,364
- Out-of-state: $31,489
ROI Score: High
Retention Rate: 90%
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Students Enrolled: 32,229
Institution Type: Public
Percent Online Enrollment: 20%
Accreditation: Yes
How Do We Rank LGBTQ+-Friendly Colleges?
Each year, BestColleges reaches out to over 1,000 colleges so they can self-report the services and resources offered to LGBTQ+ students. In consultation with Genny Beemyn, a veteran expert in the field of LGBTQ+ higher education issues and student experiences, BestColleges specifically identifies three key areas in its 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 this survey, BestColleges also incorporates its own ranking methodology that emphasizes the following factors to produce this list:
- Academic quality: To assess academic quality, BestColleges compared admission rate to enrollment rate to gauge the rigor and competitiveness of a school. The full-time retention rate (or the rate at which students return after their freshman year) is used 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 and inclusion: BestColleges' 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, whether a school has explicit anti-LGBTQ+ policies that target LGBTQ+ students is also considered.
- College affordability: BestColleges' 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). The 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, BestColleges 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.
A 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
What college has the largest LGBTQ+ population?
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.
How do you know if a college is LGBTQ+-friendly?
There are a number of characteristics to look for on a college campus that supports LGBTQ+ students. LGBTQ+-specific resources include support to improve campus climate and safety, opportunities for identity development and expertise on institutional and state policies, and their impact on the community.
All students should ensure their institution of choice is a good fit for them, but LGBTQ+ students have additional details to consider. Trans or nonbinary students of any background and LGBTQ+ students of color must consider how well their full identities are likely to be supported on campus.
Gender-inclusive housing, scholarship opportunities, health care, faculty representation and the availability of student organizations and mentorship opportunities are all important factors to LGBTQ+ student success.
What is the most LGBT-friendly place in the U.S.?
According to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the Household Pulse Survey administered by the Census Bureau suggests that 20 million adults in the U.S. identify as LGBTQ+. States with the highest LGBTQ+ populations include Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia and Illinois.
UCLA School of Law's Williams Institute published data regarding U.S. metropolitan areas with the largest LGBTQ+ populations. The top cities were New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Miami. The city with the highest percentage of LGBTQ+ individuals per population was San Francisco.
Cities considered LGBTQ+-friendly have well-established, safe communities with activities, nightlife, housing and events that appeal to the LGBTQ+ community.
