Most gay friendly colleges
Best Colleges for Gay Students in 2025
Many American colleges and universities go above and beyond to offer initiatives and resources supporting LGBTQ+ students (also referred to as LGBTQIA), from their first year to after graduation.
From LGBTQ-inclusive housing and healthcare options to LGBTQ+ communities and comprehensive support services, this article explores all the ways colleges help LGBTQ+ students.
Get ready to discover LGBTQ-friendly colleges that are leading the way in creating inclusive and affirming environments for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
10 optimal LGBTQ+ colleges
The 10 colleges below are the finest of the best (in no particular order) at supporting and protecting their LGBTQ+ students.
University of Maryland, College Park
- Acceptance rate: 52%
- Undergraduate enrollment: 30,922
- In-state tuition: $10,955
- Out-of-state tuition: $38,636
- Six-year graduation rate: 88%
The University of Maryland (UMD) is known for its commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ students.
UMD's LGBTQ+ Equity Center is a professionally staffed
Top 50 LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges and Universities
1. Stamps School of Art & Design—University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI): Spectrum Center, the hub of the LGBTQ+ existence on campus; resources from mentoring and crisis intervention to academic tutoring and help navigating campus; fun social events, support groups, jobs, leadership opportunities, and connections with Diverse alumni
Yes, connect me!
2. Ithaca College (Ithaca, NY): LGBTQ-specific course offerings; advisory committee dedicated to Diverse issues on campus; ally programs for all students on campus to boost awareness; Center for LGBT Education, Outreach & Services, with an LGBTQ+ resource library; LGBT Visibility Month; special guest speakers; resources for navigating the college experience
3. University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY): Admission officers with specific training in helping LGBTQ+ students apply to the University; counseling staff to help students make the transition to college, including dedicated trans-inclusive counselors; LGBTQ+ campus police liaisons to assist students feel safe; special graduation ceremony for LGBTQ+ students and their allies
4. University of Massachusetts Amherst (Amherst, MA): St
2025 Best LGBTQ-Friendly Online Schools
Why we like them: FIU is #1 for being the most LGBT-friendly online school. And in terms of online studies, there are over 14,800 students here studying 100% remotely. FIU offers a welcoming and affirming environment for LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff through its Pride Center. The university supports a range of LGBTQIA+-focused student organizations, including the Pride Student Union, oSTEM, Stonewall Legal Alliance, and Med GSA, providing community and advocacy across disciplines. FIU’s LGBTQA+ Mentorship Program matches students with affirming faculty and staff mentors for assist and connection. The Pride Center also coordinates volunteer opportunities and major campus events like Trans Day of Remembrance and Society AIDS Day, encouraging student leaders and campus-wide inclusion efforts.
"Florida International University provides dedicated help through its adept staff and professors. Their commitment ensures the necessary tools for future career success. The educational environment remains positive and empowering, fostering academic growth and enhancing practical applicability in further studies..."
Marianne D The Ivy Coach Daily The Campus Pride Index is an online database that evaluates the LGBTQ-friendliness of colleges and universities across the nation. It is widely considered to be an authority on surveying the gay and trans inclusiveness of colleges and universities. Institutions elect to participate in the Index by having an administrator pack out Campus Pride’s online questionnaire, which probes various aspects of educational inclusivity. Schools receive somewhere between one and five stars based on the results of this questionnaire. The top-scoring institutions are released in an annual round-up that is broken down by region. Below is a list of the top-scoring institutions in Campus Pride’s 2023 BEST OF THE BEST LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges & Universities ranking. Note that Campus Pride does not rank schools against each other. According to their methodology, each college on the list below received the same top score for LGBTQ-friendliness. Schools from Texas and Florida were not included on this list because of&nb
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