University of South Carolina

- What We Do
- What we defend
- Have your rights been violated?
  If you face retaliation over protected speech, reach out to �鶹��ýIOS to learn more about how we can protect your rights.
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- Make a difference
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- Take Action
  Across the nation, free speech rights are under attack. Join us in defending this essential quality of liberty. Make your voice heard and join a campaign.
  Protect Free Speech
- Resources
- College Free Speech Rankings
  Presented by �鶹��ýIOS and College Pulse, the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings is the largest survey of campus free expression ever performed.
  Explore Rankings
- National Speech Index
  The National Speech Index is a new quarterly component of America’s Political Pulse, an ongoing weekly survey that will allow researchers to track shifting free speech sentiment in America over time.
  Learn More
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University of South Carolina

Public University

Columbia, South Carolina

Chicago Statement for Free Speech Adopted

Free Speech Rankings

We use real student experiences, university policies, and speech controversies to annually determine the free speech rankings. This year �鶹��ýIOS ranked 257 U.S. colleges and universities and College Pulse surveyed more than 68,000 students.

Campus Speech Climate

Overall Score out of 100 70.30
Overall Ranking out of 257 22
Speech Climate Grade C-

Student Perceptions Rankings (out of 257 schools)

Openness 153
Administrative Support 19
Comfort Expressing Ideas 225
Disruptive Conduct 118
Self-Censorship 167
Political Tolerance 69

Campus Speech Policies

Spotlight Rating Green

Speech Controversies

Deplatformings 0
Scholars Under Fire 0
�鶹��ýIOS Under Fire 1
Honor Roll Statements 0