Average Score The Average Score is the average of all Overall Scores from colleges in a state that were included in the College Free Speech Rankings.
67.3 Treanding Up
/ 100
Average Rank The Average Rank is the average of all Overall Ranks from colleges in a state that were included in the College Free Speech Rankings.
65 Treanding Up
/ 261
Average Grade The Grade is a letter based on the college's rounded Overall Score. Scores fall into standard grade ranges from A (93-100) to F (below 60).
D+
Speech Controversies Controversies are campus incidents where a student, professor, or speaker faces backlash or pressure for speech that's protected by the First Amendment or academic freedom.
4
Comfort Expressing Ideas Comfort Expressing Ideas measures how comfortable students feel sharing their views on controversial topics in different campus settings. The grade falls into standard grade ranges from A (93-100) to F (below 60).
D+
Disruptive Conduct Disruptive Conduct measures how acceptable students think it is to disrupt a campus speaker. The grade falls into standard grade ranges from A (93-100) to F (below 60).
C+
Openness Openness measures how many controversial topics students feel they can openly discuss on campus. The grade falls into standard grade ranges from A (93-100) to F (below 60).
C
Self-Censorship Self-Censorship measures how often students hold back their views on campus. The grade falls into standard grade ranges from A (93–100) to F (below 60).
D
Administrative Support Administrative Support measures how clearly students think their school supports free speech and how likely the administration is to defend a speaker's rights during a controversy. The grade falls into standard grade ranges from A (93-100) to F (below 60).
D-
Political Tolerance Political Tolerance measures how willing students are to allow controversial speakers — on both the left and right — to speak on campus, even if they disagree with their views. The grade falls into standard grade ranges from A (93-100) to F (below 60).
F
Overview
Four Georgia schools are ranked in the 2027 College Free Speech Rankings. The state’s average speech climate grade is D+, compared to the national average of D-.The Georgia Institute of Technology ranks 3 overall and is one of the top-ranked schools nationally. It holds a “green light” rating in FIRE’s Spotlight database and ranks in the top 25 for “Political Tolerance,” suggesting openness to controversial speakers. Georgia Tech has adopted the pro-free speech Chicago Statement.
Emory University, Georgia State University, and the University of Georgia follow between ranks 68 and 97. Emory holds a green light rating, while GSU and UGA hold “yellow light” ratings. The University System of Georgia has affirmed a statement on institutional neutrality for its public campuses. Emory’s faculty senate has affirmed the Chicago Statement. Revising restrictive written student policies would help improve these schools’ speech climates.
Highlights
42% of students say they have self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month.
72% of students say shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking on campus is acceptable, at least in rare cases.
30% of students say using violence to stop someone from speaking on campus is acceptable, at least in rare cases.
4.05:1
Across Georgia, there are roughly 4.05 liberal students for every one conservative student.
Average score over time
Speech Controversies
Speech Controversies: When Free Expression Is Challenged
Explore notable incidents where free speech was tested on campuses across Georgia. From speaker deplatformings to administrative actions, these events highlight the challenges — and consequences — of restricting expression.
Speech Controversies Controversies are campus incidents where a student, professor, or speaker faces backlash or pressure for speech that's protected by the First Amendment or academic freedom.
4
Scholars Under Fire Scholar Controversies are campus incidents where a professor or academic staff member faces backlash or punishment for speech protected by academic freedom or the First Amendment.
2
Students Under Fire Student Controversies are campus incidents where a student or student group faces punishment or pressure from the school for speech that's protected by the First Amendment.
1
Deplatformings Deplatformings are the number of incidents where a scheduled event or speaker is canceled or prevented from taking place.
1
Honor Roll Statements Honor Roll Statements are the number of public messages from a college or university defending free speech during a campus controversy. Schools that make these statements can earn bonus points on their Overall Score for standing up for free expression when it counts.
0
Attempted Disruptions Attempted Disruptions are the number of incidents where people on campus try to stop a scheduled event or speaker.
0
New in 2026 The number of controversies that have occurred since the previous launch of the College Free Speech Rankings.
1
Scholars Under Fire
| Year | School | Target | Controversy Explanation | Score Impact | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Emory University | Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani | Ardeshir-Larijani, a physician and assistant professor in the university's School of Medicine’s Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, became the target of public pressure after activists and political figures highlighted that she is Iranian and the daughter of Ali Larijani, a high-ranking Iranian official. Iranian-American demonstrators protested outside Winship, urging Emory to cut ties with Ardeshir-Larijani. Around the same time, a Change.org petition explicitly called for her deportation and framed her presence in the U.S. as unacceptable because of her family relationship to an Iranian leader. Pressure escalated when Rep. Buddy Carter issued a public demand that Emory remove Ardeshir-Larijani and also urged state action against her professional standing, arguing her “familial ties” made her continued employment unacceptable. Shortly thereafter, the university confirmed she was no longer employed. The student newspaper “The Emory Wheel” reported the School of Medicine dean informed faculty by email that she was no longer a university employee, and that her faculty/healthcare pages were no longer publicly accessible. | -3.0 | Read More |
| 2025 | Emory University | Anna Kenney | Kenney, a professor of pediatrics at the university, came under fire for her social media comments following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. After Kirk’s death was reported, Kenney posted messages on X that critics, including Rep. Derrick Van Orden and commentator Leo Terrell, condemned as celebrating the assassination. Screenshots of the posts circulated widely on social media, prompting backlash and calls for Emory to take action against her. In response to the controversy, Emory announced that Kenney was no longer employed by the university, effectively terminating her position. | -2.0 | Read More |
Students Under Fire
| Year | School | Target | Controversy Explanation | Score Impact | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Emory University | Kappa Sigma | Administrators placed Kappa Sigma on interim suspension and imposed a no-contact order prior to any hearing for "reports of hazing allegations," thereby prohibiting the group from a host of expressive activities including "social functions, new member education, chapter meetings, and philanthropy events" as well as "any functions, events, or activities on or off campus." | -1.0 | Read More |
Deplatformings
| Year | School | Target | Controversy Explanation | Score Impact | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | University of Georgia | Mike Collins | The campus chapter of Turning Point USA invited Collins to campus. Collins' talk was repeatedly disrupted by protesters shouting at him that he is a "bitch," that "you're dead right now, asshole," and that "he voted for genocide" for about 20-30 minutes. Other protesters shouted at Collins about his support for Israel, and his views on abortion and immigration. Collins ultimately finished his remarks and was then reportedly escorted off-campus by the campus police. | -1.0 | Read More |
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Rankings and Survey Results
Rankings and Survey Results
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