Gay colleges
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+ world on campus; resources from mentoring and crisis intervention to academic tutoring and help navigating campus; pleasurable social events, support groups, jobs, leadership opportunities, and connections with LGBTQ+ alumni
Yes, connect me!
2. Ithaca College (Ithaca, NY): LGBTQ-specific course offerings; advisory committee devoted to LGBTQ+ issues on campus; ally programs for all students on campus to raise awareness; Center for LGBT Education, Outreach & Services, with an LGBTQ+ resource library; LGBT Awareness Month; special guest speakers; resources for navigating the college experience
3. University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY): Admission officers with specific training in helping Diverse students apply to the University; counseling staff to help students make the transition to college, including dedicated trans-inclusive counselors; Homosexual campus police liaisons to help students feel safe; special graduation ceremony for LGBTQ+ students and their allies
4. University of Massachusetts Amherst (Amherst, MA): St
Best Colleges for Queer 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 sustain 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 finest LGBTQ+ colleges
The 10 colleges below are the top 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
Throughout my three and a half years at Ithaca College, I hold never once felt threatened or targeted because of my sexuality inside or outside of a classroom setting. Of course, the institution cannot account for individual acts of physical, emotional, or intellectual abuse born out of ignorance (which are thankfully rare). However, the Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Education, Outreach, and Services provides various legal and mental health-related resources to help students cope with discrimination from others, as well as to cope with personal culture development. What's more, we have four extremely active and passionate student groups that put on events, discussions, and educational panels all year round. The LGBTQ and Allied people at Ithaca College has been one of the most important aspects of my college career, and I am who I am today because of the love and encourage I've found from staff (especially LGBT Center Director Luca Maurer!), faculty, and my fellow students on campus. —Isabel Galupo, Ithaca College student
Gay-Friendly Colleges
Alfred University (Alfred, NY)
Yes, connect me!
American University (Washington, DC)
Bard College (Annandale on Hudson, NY)
Barnard College (New York, NY)
Bates College (Lewiston, ME)
Boston University (Boston, MA)
Yes, connect me!
Brandeis University (Waltham, MA)
Brown University (Providence, RI)
Yes, connect me!
Bryn Mawr College (Bryn Mawr, PA)
Carleton College (Northfield, MN)
Clark University (Worcester, MA)
Columbia College Chicago (Chicago, IL)
Columbia University (New York, NY)
Yes, connect me!
Connecticut College (New London, CT)
Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)
DePaul University (Chicago, IL)
Drew University (Madison, NJ)
Yes, connect me!
Earlham College (Richmond, IN)
Emerson College (Boston, MA)
Yes, connect me!
Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal Arts (New York, NY)
Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering (Needham, MA)
Georgetown University (Washington, DC)
Goucher College (Baltimore, MD)
Yes, connect me!
Grinnell College (Grinnell, IA)
Guilford College (Greensboro, NC)
Harvey Mudd College (Claremont, CA)
Haverford College (Haverford, PA)
Yes, con
.