Which are the top safest college campuses in the United States? In the general sense, safety plays a crucial role in all walks of life, and campus life is not an exception. Many school campuses in the U.S. is rough and probably need one to alter a lifestyle change.
However, there exist some campuses that are safe and secured thanks to the presence of several security measures. To be sincere, violence is most common in colleges because it is like a junction where a diverse set of beings meets.
Nevertheless, some factors included in ranking these schools include crime against women, and drug abuse, among other social vices. This list is according to reports given by the “National Council for Home Safety and Security.”
Over 2,000 educational establishments in the United States are analyzed and other sources of data include student reviews and interviews. So, which are the 10 safest colleges and campuses in the United States? There are listed below:-
- University of New Hampshire
- Brigham Young University-Idaho
- Oakland University
- The University of Massachusetts, Amherst
- Washington State University
- Central Michigan University
- University of California, Irvine
- Montclair State University
- The University of Central Oklahoma
- Michigan State University
1. University of New Hampshire
Kicking off the list, the University of New Hampshire is the safest college and campus in the United States. The prestigious academic institution has a set of rigorous and rigid security measures that rarely leave room for violence.
There is also the presence of many security personnel and reports of crime are not taken lightly. The school also educates students on core human values like peace, sincerity, honesty, integrity, morality, and other social ethics.
Nevertheless, the University of New Hampshire has only reported 3 arrests on campus; this is the lowest in the country. However, crimes done against women stand at 57. What we mean by violence against women includes stalking, abusive relationships, and domestic violence.
Moreover, in the neighboring town, the police have arrested a total of 417 scholars in students’ housing estate.
Given its general safety and serenity, the prestigious American school has been dubbed the safest in the country by many.
2. Brigham Young University-Idaho
Missing the top position, the Brigham Young University-Idaho is the second (2nd) safest college and campus in the United States.
Offering a wide range of program, the school is a one-of-a-kind Christian school that have recorded just 12 cases of violence and crime against women. This is impressive given that the student population is tilting towards the 50,000 mark.
Unlike the University of New Hampshire, this prestigious American higher learning institution has a Christian code of Honor. Students are expected to abide by the statute and this, above all else, has been the major reason the school has been excellent in terms of safety and security.
3. Oakland University
Oakland University is one of the safest colleges and campuses in the United States. The prestigious learning institution is set on a campus characterized by well-structured security measures. Reports of violence are taken seriously and the culprits involved may face serious consequences.
Moreover, the school has reported 20 crimes which include arson, rape, and murder, and these were committed in student housing areas. However, within the same area, a total of 71 arrests have been made which is way higher than just 10 done on campus.
This makes the school a hub for both peace lovers and intellectuals alike.
4. The University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Coming in next on the list, the University of Massachusetts, Amherst is among the top four (4) safest colleges and campuses in the United States. The school which is home to a wide range of academic disciplines has a very high number of Democrats.
Despite its participation in liberal politics, the school has a very low crime rate. The prestigious American learning institution has recorded just 9 arrests both in the student housing area and on campus.
This is quite low thanks to its strong security mechanism and ethical standards.
5. Washington State University
Washington State University has been widely praised for having a peaceful campus despite being located in the capital of the United States. This prestigious academic institution has an organized security system that is characterized by campus patrol and scouting among others.
The school has also recorded a mere 7 arrests on campus for crimes which include drug abuse and violation, illegal possession of weapons/guns, as well as substance and liquor violation.
6. Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University is one of the safest campuses and colleges in the United States. The University scores well when it comes to campus safety and security. As of the time of writing this article, the prestigious school has not recorded any incidence of crime or violence on campus.
This is truly remarkable and can be worth a while for scholars who are seeking internal security. However, there have been nine (9) incidences of arrest on campus though no violence was associated with any.
7. University of California, Irvine
Located in the booming city of California, the University of California, Irvine is the 7th safest campus and college in the United States. The prestigious American academic institution has one of the highest populations of students on the list but despite this, it has recorded just two (2) cases of arrest in students housing areas.
To crown it, these arrests were not accompanied by any crime. The school has been able to achieve this feat thanks to a well-grounded security system and ethical educational reforms.
8. Montclair State University
Montclair State University is one of the safest colleges and campuses in the United States. Offering a wide range of academic disciplines, the prestigious American higher learning institution is LGBT-friendly and can make a great choice for women.
The crime rate against women at the school is less than 1% (0.9%) hence female students need not worry when exploring the campus.
9. The University of Central Oklahoma
The University of Central Oklahoma is safe heaven according to several authorities responsible for ranking the safety of American Universities.
Even so, the school, just like Montclair State University has a low violence rate against women. It has recorded just 14 attacks against women which falls at a low 0.3%.
The notorious American academic institution also parades a well-secured campus thanks to the alertness and vigilance of its security personnel.
10. Michigan State University
Rounding off the list, Michigan State University is one of the safest campuses and colleges in the United States. The prestige academic service provider has recorded a total of 1,288 alleged violence incidents.
This is quite low given that the student population is over 50,000. Nonetheless, the crime and violence rate recorded in student housing areas stands at a mere 1.8% which is low compared to others on the list.
Tips for Living Safe in College dorms or off-campus Housing
There are many tips for staying safe in a college dormitory and even in students’ housing areas. First of all, you need to acknowledge the fact that you are the sole guarantor of your safety before all else.
Here are some tips to stay safe in colleges:-
- There are lots of CCTV cameras in most schools in the United States but the same can’t be said about students’ housing areas. Ensure to install a home security system and go for strong and reputable brands – Vivint, ADT, and co).
- If you are residing in a college dormitory, install a security camera for safety’s sake. You can inform your colleagues before doing so.
- A wireless security system is the latest trend in protection networks and it would do you good if you can get one. Among all brands available in the market, Simplisafe is the least complicated.
Method Used to Rank the Schools
Crime is an important factor when ranking schools based on safety. For this reason, we strictly adhered to the standard set by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on the subject matter.
More than 2,000 academic institutions have been analyzed and the few ones who did not submit their crime reports to the FBI were excluded from the list.
Crime rate and police adequacy are the two vital factors that we have used to arrive at our conclusion. Under crime rate, there is a clear and vivid difference between the non-violent (also known as property crime) type and the violent type.
Without much ado, here is what the FBI says about crime:-
“Violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
“Violent crimes are defined in the UCR Program as those offenses that involve force or threat of force. Property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.
“The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims.”
Conclusion
That was all on the top safest college campuses in the united states.
As you can see, a number of university campuses have low crime rates. These colleges are committed about ensuring the safety of all of their students on campus.
And keep in mind that following safety precautions is essential to protecting oneself from assault. ADT wants to contribute to ensuring your safety as well. We wish you luck in selecting the safest college campuses to further your education.
Let’s hear from you via the comments section.
