Heading off to college means juggling newfound independence, classes, making friends, and a whirlwind of emotions. But amidst the excitement, have you ever thought about campus safety in the US?
It’s a topic that often sparks concern and curiosity, as everyone deserves to feel secure and focus on their studies without any worries. Today, we’ll dive into a topic that might raise some eyebrows: the most dangerous college campuses in the United States.
Based Campus Safety and Security data, we’ve curated a list of the top 11 dangerous college campuses in the US. The data encompassed incidents such as rape, murder or manslaughter, aggravated assault, and robbery.
Now, hold on a sec—just because a campus has had some incidents doesn’t mean it’s off-limits for your education and future career. Colleges and universities take student safety seriously and have measures in place to keep everyone safe. However, it’s still important for students and parents to know about potential risks and take precautions for their safety. So, let’s dive into this topic with an open mind and get a better grasp of campus safety in the US.
1. University of Alabama
🚨 Number of annual violent crimes on campus: 83
Photo courtesy of Research & Economic Development of the University of Alabama
The University of Alabama has unfortunately gained a reputation for higher crime rates, including incidents of theft and assault. The campus has shared crime stats, showing an increase in reported cases of rape and burglaries. In 2021, there were 31 reported rapes, 19 in 2020, and 29 in 2019. As for burglaries, 23 were reported in 2021 and 24 in 2020.
It’s super important for students to be cautious and take steps to stay safe. That’s why it’s recommended for students to walk in groups, always be aware of their surroundings, and report any sketchy activity to the police.
2. University of Arizona
🚨 Number of annual violent crimes on campus: 63
Photo courtesy of Live Aspire Tucson
When it comes to the University of Arizona, it’s all about a vibrant college life and campus vibe, right? But let’s talk about staying safe on campus. Just like the University of Alabama, the University of Arizona has had some safety issues, including dating and domestic violence, stalking, sexual offenses, fondling, aggravated assault, arson incidents, burglary, and motor vehicle thefts.
To address safety and emergency situations, they’ve got a service called UAlert that sends out emergency alerts for free. It goes to all the students, faculty, staff, and even their contacts through texts and emails. These alerts give you the lowdown on what’s going on, where it’s happening, and what you should do to stay safe.
They also try to include info on suspects if a crime goes down, and they’ll even link you to a map or the Campus Incident page. It’s all about keeping everyone on campus safe and sound.
3. Auburn University
🚨 Number of annual violent crimes on campus: 116
Photo courtesy of JC Findley
Auburn University is a cool place with an awesome community vibe and tons of traditions that just make you feel at home. But being located in Alabama, the campus has had its fair share of safety stuff to deal with. So, it’s essential for students to be on top of the safety game and use all the resources available.
If you wanna keep up with what’s going on, you can check out the crime log for all the details. Your safety is a top priority, and being informed is key to creating a secure environment for everyone.
4. University of Iowa
🚨 Number of annual violent crimes on campus: 246
Photo courtesy of UIOWA
While the University of Iowa boasts strong academic programs, safety remains a concern. The UI Department of Public Safety reported an increase in stalking, dating violence, and domestic violence cases. Additionally, there were more incidents of burglaries and vehicle theft, partly attributed to students leaving keys in open cars. Similarly, Iowa State reported an increase in alcohol-related arrests and referrals.
The Office of Clery Compliance is on it, maintaining a log of all criminal incidents and keeping track of all the crime that goes down. They gather info from UIPD calls, local law enforcement, student records, and crime reports from Campus Security Authorities.
5. Michigan State University
🚨 Number of annual violent crimes on campus: 56
Photo courtesy of Michigan State University
Michigan State University has also been listed as one of the most dangerous campuses in the US. For example, just last February, there was a terrible shooting where three students lost their lives, and five others got seriously hurt. The person responsible, Anthony Dwayne McRae, wasn’t even part of the university and had a history with weapons. The university had to shut down all activities for 48 hours to give everyone some time to mourn and think about what happened. It’s really sad, and it’s making everyone talk about what we can do to stop things like this from happening again.
6. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
🚨 Number of annual violent crimes on campus: 1005
Photo courtesy of Yocket
The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, is a really great school, but we do need to talk about safety as this university has the highest crime rates. There have been quite a few crimes on campus, especially some really serious ones like murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft, and arson. Sexual assault is also a big concern here. It goes without saying that students should be proactive about staying safe and knowing what support services are available.
Recently, there have been some scary incidents, like a man being shot on South University Avenue and a woman firing a gun through an apartment window near the campus. It’s definitely a good idea to be extra aware and careful about safety at the university.
7. University of New Mexico
🚨 Number of annual violent crimes on campus: 164
Photo courtesy of the University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico has also been identified as one of the most unsafe college campuses in the United States. The University of New Mexico’s recent Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) sheds light on the campus’s safety situation, revealing 609 Clery crimes in the past year. It’s crucial to acknowledge that this number might not capture all campus crime data. The report emphasizes that the primary concern in the past year was referrals for violations of liquor laws, totaling 148 incidents.
Furthermore, motor vehicle theft was the second most common crime, with 118 incidents occurring on campus, indicating a 55% increase from 2019. It’s really important for the university and everyone involved to take these findings seriously and work on making the campus a safer place for everyone.
8. Ohio State University
🚨 Number of annual violent crimes on campus: 316
Photo courtesy of Minding The Campus
Next, we have Ohio State University. It’s got a huge campus and lots of different students, but safety is something to keep in mind. The university has put in some security stuff, but it’s still important for students to be aware of what’s going on around them, especially when they’re not on campus. Last year, the most common crimes reported at Ohio State were rape, fondling, and stalking. There were also more burglaries, mostly outside of the dorms.
Some big news happened near the university, too. In August, just days before the start of the school year, wrestler Sammy Sasso was shot and seriously injured during a carjacking near the Short North Kroger. In September, 77-year-old Emily Foster, a University District writer and resident, was found stabbed to death in her home on Iuka Avenue. Another tragic event took place when Ohio State student Chase Meola, 23, was fatally shot outside the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity house on October 11, 2020. It’s heavy stuff, but it’s good to know what’s happening around campus.
9. Stanford University
🚨 Number of annual violent crimes on campus: 271
Photo courtesy of california.com
When it comes to Stanford University, known for its great reputation and stunning campus, safety is a big deal. The Stanford Department of Public Safety (DPS) released the 2023 Safety, Security & Fore Report, which has detailed stats on specific crimes that happen on campus and nearby properties used by students. These include various offenses like assault, alcohol and drug violations, burglary, and more.
Lucia Wade, the university’s Clery compliance coordinator, says that overall, the campus is pretty safe compared to similar-sized towns. But it’s really important for everyone to know about reported crimes and stay alert. Also, the issue of sexual assault remains a concern on campuses nationwide, showing the ongoing need for attention and support for survivors.
10. Texas A & M University, College Station
🚨 Number of annual violent crimes on campus: 55
Photo courtesy of TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY Engineering
Texas A & M University, College Station, has been in the spotlight for safety concerns, with a focus on both the campus and its surrounding neighborhood. They’ve really beefed up security on campus, but the surrounding neighborhood has been dealing with some crime problems.
The university is seriously focused on making the whole community safer. There have been a lot of reported incidents and arrests related to alcohol and drugs in the area. Plus, there have been on-campus burglaries and rapes, which is really worrying. It’s clear that they need to step up their safety game around the university.
11. University of Washington, Seattle
🚨 Number of annual violent crimes on campus: 54
Photo courtesy of College of Arts & Sciences | University of Washington
When you’re thinking about the University of Washington in Seattle, it’s crucial to think about how safe it is, especially since it’s in a big city and has a huge campus. Lately, there have been some scary things happening, like a car accident where a 21-year-old guy died and some shootings involving four UW students. It’s made a lot of people realize that we need to be more careful.
Students are worried about how often these things are happening and are telling new students to be careful, stick together, and try not to walk alone at night if they can help it. These events show us that safety is a big deal around the university.
Most Dangerous College Campuses: Final Thoughts
Well, there you have it—the top 11 most dangerous campuses in the US! You can take a peek at the chart below to see how these colleges stack up from the most dangerous to the least.
| 🎓University Name | 💡Number of Annual Violent Crimes on Campus | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | University of Michigan, Ann Arbor | 1005 |
| 2. | Ohio State University | 316 |
| 3. | Stanford University | 271 |
| 4. | University of Iowa | 246 |
| 5. | University of New Mexico | 164 |
| 6. | Auburn University | 116 |
| 7. | University of Alabama | 83 |
| 8. | University of Arizona | 63 |
| 9. | Michigan State University | 56 |
| 10. | Texas A & M University, College Station | 55 |
| 11. | University of Washington, Seattle | 54 |
So, to wrap things up, while it’s important to be aware of safety concerns on college campuses, it’s also crucial not to freak out and approach this information with a balanced perspective. Remember, knowledge is power! By being aware of potential risks and taking some precautions, you can totally rock your college experience while keeping yourself safe. Stay informed, stay safe, and look out for each other, okay? You’ve got this!
Having explored the list of the most dangerous college campuses, let’s delve into more enjoyable topics like colleges with the happiest students or the chilling reality of what is hazing in college. At BookScouter, we understand the importance of students being prepared for anything. Stay tuned!
