Are you looking for Colleges With Highest Crime Rates? then you are on the right article. Going to college in the United States is a dream for many international students all over the world. But while doing research for your dream college, you must also know the colleges with the highest crime rates in the United States.
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You will be going to classes, and meeting new friends, but knowing how safe college campuses are in the US is also very important. Being an international student, it is okay to have these questions. Everyone wants to feel safe while they are studying.
We have looked at some data about college safety, and we found a list of the top college campuses in the US that have had some incidents like robbery or assault. Just because a campus has some incidents does not mean it is not a good place to study.
In no way, we are trying to malign any college’s image through this article. We know that colleges take safety seriously and have ways to keep their students safe.
You and your parents need to know about these things, so you can take care of yourself. So, in this article we will talk about the colleges with highest crime rates in the U.S. Let’s get started.
Key Takeaways
- The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor has the most reported crimes (1,005) on this list.
- Other colleges on this list include Ohio State University (316), Stanford University (271), and the University of Iowa (246).
- Inter-American University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon (0 reported crimes) and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (0 reported crimes) are considered safe.
- Safety is important when choosing a college while pursuing your higher studies.
- You can research the crime rates of colleges you are interested in before you apply.
List of Top 11 Colleges With Highest Crime Rates
Here are some of the colleges with highest crime rates in the U.S:
| University Name | Number of Annual Violent Crimes on Campus |
| University of Michigan, Ann Arbor | 1005 |
| Ohio State University | 316 |
| Stanford University | 271 |
| University of Iowa | 246 |
| University of New Mexico | 164 |
| Auburn University | 116 |
| University of Alabama | 83 |
| University of Arizona | 63 |
| Michigan State University | 56 |
| Texas A & M University, College Station | 55 |
| University of Washington, Seattle | 54 |
1. University of Alabama
The University of Alabama has got some issues going on when it comes to safety. Unfortunately, there have been more crimes like theft and assault there. The campus keeps track of these things, and they have seen an increase in reported cases of things like rape and burglaries.
In 2021, there were 31 reported rapes, which is more than in 2020 and 2019. For burglaries, there were 23 in 2021 and 24 in 2020. So, you need to be careful and take steps to stay safe if you are around there.
You should try to walk with friends. Always pay attention to what is going on around you, and if you see something weird, tell the police about it immediately.
- Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
- Number of reported crimes: 83
2. Auburn University
Auburn University is an amazing place with a friendly vibe and lots of cool traditions and sports. But, because it is in Alabama, the campus has had some safety issues to deal with. That is why it is super important for you to stay on top of safety and use all the resources available to you.
If you want to know what is going on, you can check out the crime log for all the details. Your safety is really important, so you must know what is happening to make sure everyone stays safe.
- Location: Auburn, AL
- Number of reported crimes: 116
3. Michigan State University
Michigan State University has been called one of the most dangerous campuses in the US. Last February, there was a really bad shooting where three students died, and five others got hurt badly.
The person who did it, Anthony Dwayne McRae, was not even part of the university. He had a history with guns. The university had to stop everything for 48 hours so everyone could take time to mourn the losses of their loved ones and think about what happened.
- Location: East Lansing, MI
- Number of reported crimes: 56
4. University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico is considered one of the most unsafe college campuses in the US. According to their recent safety report, they had 609 Clery crimes last year.
This number might not show all the crimes that happened. One big worry was violations of liquor laws, with 148 incidents reported. Motor vehicle theft was also a big problem with 118 incidents reported.
That is a whopping 55% increase from 2019. It is super important for the university and everyone to take these issues seriously and work on making the campus safer for everyone.
- Location: Albuquerque, NM
- Number of reported crimes: 164
5. Stanford University
Stanford University is known all over the world for its top-notch education but safety is a big deal at Stanford University. It has a beautiful campus, but they take safety seriously.
The Stanford Department of Public Safety released its safety report for 2023. It has all the details about crimes that happen on campus and nearby areas where students go. Things like assaults, drug violations, and burglaries are included in this report.
Lucia Wade makes sure the university follows safety rules. She said that overall, the campus is pretty safe compared to similar places. But it is still important for everyone to know about any crimes that are reported and to stay alert.
They are still working on dealing with sexual assault, which is a big problem on campuses everywhere. So, it is important to keep talking about it and supporting survivors.
- Location: Stanford, CA
- Number of reported crimes: 271
6. University of Washington
Have you thought about how safe the University of Washington is? It is in a big city and has a huge campus. So, safety is a really important factor when selecting your dream college.
There have been some scary things happening lately, like car accidents and shootings involving students. It is making a lot of people realize that they need to be more careful.
Students are worried about how often these things are happening. They 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 that safety is a big deal around the university.
- Location: Seattle, WA
- Number of reported crimes: 54
7. Texas A & M University
The safety at Texas A&M University in College Station has been a big topic lately, both on campus and in the neighborhood around it. They have increased security on campus, but the neighborhood has some crime problems.
The university is working hard to make the whole community safer. There have been a lot of reported incidents and arrests related to alcohol and drugs in the area.
There have been on-campus burglaries and rapes, which is worrying parents and the students. The university needs to step up its safety game around the university area.
- Location: College Station, TX
- Number of reported crimes: 55
8. Ohio State University
Ohio State University has a big campus with lots of students. But, safety is also important when it comes to choosing your dream college. The university has added some security measures, but it is still important for students to be aware of what is happening around them, especially off-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 serious incidents happened near the university, too.
In August, wrestler Sammy Sasso was shot and seriously injured during a carjacking near the Short North Kroger. In September, 77-year-old Emily Foster, a writer and resident, was found stabbed to death in her home on Iuka Avenue.
Another tragic event occurred when Ohio State student Chase Meola, 23, was fatally shot outside the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity house on October 11, 2020. It is heartbreaking news, but it is important to know what is happening around campus.
- Location: Columbus, OH
- Number of reported crimes: 316
9. University of Michigan
The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is an amazing school, but you need to be aware of safety, too, because it has the highest crime rates.
On campus, there have been quite a few crimes. This includes some serious ones like murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft, and arson. Sexual assault is also a big concern here. You need to be proactive about staying safe and know what support services are available.
Lately, 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. So, it is a good idea to be extra aware and careful about safety at the university.
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
- Number of reported crimes: 1005
10. University of Iowa
The University of Iowa has some awesome academic programs, but safety is still something to think about when it comes to choosing the University of Iowa for your higher education.
The UI Department of Public Safety says there have been more stalking, dating violence, and domestic violence cases lately. There have been more burglaries and car thefts because some students are leaving their keys in unlocked cars.
Over at Iowa State, they are also seeing more alcohol-related arrests and referrals. But don’t worry, the Office of Clery Compliance is keeping track of all the crime stuff.
They are gathering information from UIPD calls, local police, student records, and crime reports. So, they have got your back when it comes to staying safe on campus.
- Location: Iowa City, IA
- Number of reported crimes: 246
11. University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is known for its vibrant campus life, but safety is important too.
Like the University of Alabama, the University of Arizona has had some safety issues. This includes dating and domestic violence, stalking, and other serious stuff.
But don’t worry, they have got UAlert to help out. It is a service that sends emergency alerts to students, faculty, and staff for free.
These alerts give you all the information you need to stay safe, like what is happening and what to do.
They even share information on suspects if there is a crime, and they will link you to maps or more details.
So, they are always working to keep everyone on campus safe and sound.
- Location: Tucson, AZ
- Number of reported crimes: 63
Most Dangerous College Campuses in America
When you go to college, there is a lot to think about. Things like how much it costs, feeling homesick, and mental health are big worries for any student. But your safety should be the number one concern.
Colleges try hard to keep students safe, but sometimes bad things still happen. Our team looked into how much crime happens on college campuses. We checked out data from the National Center for Education Statistics for all the colleges with at least 1000 students living there. Here is what we found.
Colleges With The Highest Number of Offenses Against Women
Violence against women is a big deal in the U.S. These days, colleges all over the country are working hard to make sure their campuses are safe for everyone, especially women who live in dorms.
Indiana University, Purdue University, and Indianapolis University are said to be the riskiest colleges for women, based on reports of things happening to them over the last five years. They are followed by Ohio State University and Texas A&M University, but the difference between first and second place is huge.
Our research shows that even Ivy League schools are not safe from bad things happening to women. Harvard University and Stanford University are actually in the top 25 colleges where bad things happen to women a lot.
Colleges With Five or Fewer Crimes Since 2013
Out of 19 schools, none had any big crimes like felonies since 2013. But remember, students might commit other smaller crimes that still count as breaking the rules.
Only 15 schools had 5 or fewer of these smaller crimes since 2013, and just 5 schools had none. These could be the safest campuses around in the U.S.
| College | Location | Number of Crimes |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rice-Bayamon | San Juan, PR | 0 |
| Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai | New York, NY | 0 |
| United Talmudical Seminary | Brooklyn, NY | 0 |
| Uta Mesivta of Kiryas Joel | Kiryas Joel, NY | 0 |
| Clarkson College | Omaha, NE | 0 |
| Huntington University | Huntington, IN | 1 |
| Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences | Memphis, TN | 2 |
| Universidad del Sagrado Corazon | San Juan, PR | 2 |
| A T Still University of Health Sciences | Kirksville, MO | 3 |
| Texas A&M University-San Antonio | San Antonio, TX | 3 |
| Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico | San Juan, PR | 4 |
| New York Medical College | Valhalla, NY | 4 |
| Mount Marty College | Yankton, SD | 4 |
| MCPHS University | Boston, MA | 5 |
| Crown College | Powell, TN | 5 |
Colleges With No Criminal Offenses Since 2013
In the United States, 19 schools have not had any big rule-breaking since 2013. Some big ones on this list are the University of Massachusetts-Boston and Touro College, and they both have a lot of students.
| College | Location | Number of Students |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rice-Bayamon | San Juan, PR | 4,612 |
| Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai | New York, NY | 1,208 |
| United Talmudical Seminary | Brooklyn, NY | 2,722 |
| Uta Mesivta of Kiryas Joel | Kiryas Joel, NY | 1,864 |
| Clarkson College | Omaha, NE | 1,273 |
| Holy Family University | Philadelphia, PA | 3,081 |
| Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine | Philadelphia, PA | 2,860 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa, GA | 1,411 |
| University of Massachusetts-Boston | Boston, MA | 16,415 |
| University of North Texas at Dallas | Dallas, TX | 3,509 |
| University of Sioux Falls | Sioux Falls, SD | 1,453 |
| Frontier Nursing University | Hyden, KY | 2,004 |
| Touro College | New York, NY | 35,724 |
| Lincoln Memorial University | Harrogate, TN | 4,770 |
| Cornerstone University | Grand Rapids, MI | 2,361 |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the most common crime on college campuses?
Some common crimes happen a lot on college campuses. The big one is forcible sexual assaults, like rape or when someone is assaulted while drunk. Then there is theft and burglary, which is when someone steals stuff or breaks into someone’s place. Lastly, there is bullying, which sadly happens too often on campus in the U.S.
2. What class commits the most crime?
Crime is often linked more to people who are not as wealthy. Some experts think it is because of things like where you live and how much money you have.
3. What ethnicity has a higher crime rate?
The number of Hispanic people is growing fast. When it comes to violence, Hispanics have rates higher than white people but lower than black people. Some new information shows that the gap between different races in terms of violence might be getting smaller lately.
4. What are the leading causes of death among college students?
Accidents like car crashes and other injuries are the main reasons why college students pass away. Besides accidents, some other reasons include suicide, homicide, cancer, and heart disease. It is important to stay safe and take care of yourself, no matter what stage of life you are in.
Conclusion
When selecting your dream college in the U.S., it is good to know about the colleges with highest crime rates and your safety in your dream college. But do not stress out too much about it. Keep a balanced view and remember that knowledge is power.
By being aware of potential risks and taking some precautions, you can have an awesome college experience while staying safe. Please stay informed, stay safe, and look out for each other.
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