The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression have graded Virginia universities D grade overall in its 2026 College Free Speech Rankings. That was actually better than the national average of F.

The University of Virginia was tops in the state with a 21st-place ranking out of 250 institutions, largely on the basis of its formally adopted policies — good enough to garner a grade of C-. However, that represents a significant decline from its No. 1 ranking last year. Virginia Tech and James Madison University garnered Fs for grades.

Formal written policies do not necessarily reflect campus culture. FIRE surveyed 68,000 students nationally. Of those, 43% of Virginia students have self-censored at least once or twice a month.

See the national survey here.

See Virginia details here.

— JAB