Florida State University ranked third nationally and first in Florida for promoting free expression, according to the 2025 College Free Speech Rankings by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.

Florida State University (FSU) was ranked third in the nation this week for promoting free expression, according to the 2025 College Free Speech Rankings released by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and College Pulse.

The recognition makes FSU the top-rated university in Florida for “fostering an environment where students can engage in open debate and the exchange of ideas.” The institution moved up two spots from last year and is one of only three universities in the country to receive a “good” rating for its free speech climate. The rankings are based on surveys of more than 58,000 students at 258 institutions, evaluating both student perceptions and administrative support for free speech on campus.

“Florida State University cherishes intellectual debate and encourages a culture of meaningful civil discourse among students and faculty,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “We are proud that FIRE continues to rank FSU as one of the top colleges in the nation and the best in Florida for free expression.”

FSU also maintained a “green light” rating from FIRE, meaning its policies do not restrict speech. The university is one of only four institutions in Florida to hold this rating, alongside the University of North Florida, the University of Florida, and the University of South Florida (USF).

The University of Virginia took the top spot, followed by Michigan Technological University, with FSU in third place. Eastern Kentucky University and the Georgia Institute of Technology rounded out the top five. No other Florida schools appeared in the top ten of FIRE’s rankings. The University of South Florida (USF) was the second-highest ranked Florida school, placing 17th nationwide.