Many American colleges and universities go above and beyond to offer initiatives and resources supporting LGBTQ+ students (also referred to as LGBTQIA), from their first year to after graduation.
From LGBTQ-inclusive housing and healthcare options to LGBTQ+ communities and comprehensive support services, this article explores all the ways colleges support LGBTQ+ students.
Get ready to discover LGBTQ-friendly colleges that are leading the way in creating inclusive and affirming environments for students of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
10 best LGBTQ+ colleges
The 10 colleges below are the best of the best (in no particular order) at supporting and protecting their LGBTQ+ students.
University of Maryland, College Park
- Acceptance rate: 52%
- Undergraduate enrollment: 30,922
- In-state tuition: $10,955
- Out-of-state tuition: $38,636
- Six-year graduation rate: 88%
The University of Maryland (UMD) is known for its commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ students.
UMD's LGBTQ+ Equity Center is a professionally staffed office at the University of Maryland that envisions the University of Maryland as a fully equitable community that empowers innovators and agents of social justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people.
UMD academic life offers LGBTQ Studies minor and certification within the Department of Women's Studies. UMD also has several student-led discussion groups and organizations, such as the Pride Alliance that provide support, advocacy, and social opportunities.
Mount Holyoke College
- Acceptance rate: 52%
- Undergraduate enrollment: 2,220
- Average tuition: $56,518
- Six-year graduation rate: 85%
Mount Holyoke College is a prestigious women's liberal arts college located in South Hadley, Massachusetts. It's part of the Five College Consortium, which includes Amherst College, Hampshire College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Mount Holyoke's Mary Woolley Living-Learning Community is a safe, supportive, and celebratory environment with a heightened focus on the historical and contemporary experiences of LGBTQ+ students and allies. In addition, the Jeannette Marks Cultural Center serves the college's LGBTQ+ community with weekly open hours, monthly programs, and meetings sponsored by affiliated student organizations and staff.
The school's Five College Queer, Trans, and Sexuality Studies certificate provides a course of study that critically examines the relationship between queer sexual and gender identities, experiences, cultures, and communities in a wide range of historical and political contexts.
Mount Holyoke also offers many LGBTQ+ organizations, like Familia, Gender+, and the Student Government Association Lavender Committee.
San Diego State University
- Acceptance rate: 38%
- Undergraduate enrollment: 31,321
- In-state tuition: $8,136
- Out-of-state tuition: $20,016
- Six-year graduation rate: 76%
San Diego State University (SDSU) is a renowned public research university located in San Diego, California.
The Pride Center at San Diego State University aspires to provide and promote a space where students who identify as two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, or other sexual orientations and gender identities (2SLGBTQIA+) and ally community members can explore, expand, evolve, and embrace their understanding of sexual orientation, romantic orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
SDSU offers both a major and minor in LGBTQ+ studies within the College of Arts and Letters. This interdisciplinary program explores the history, culture, and social experiences of LGBTQ+ communities. Student organizations include the LGBT Student Union and queer Greek societies, Gamma Rho Lambda and Delta Lambda Phi.
Bryn Mawr College
- Acceptance rate: 39%
- Undergraduate enrollment: 1,423
- Average tuition: $56,320
- Six-year graduation rate: 87%
Bryn Mawr College is a prestigious women's liberal arts college in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
The Impact Center for Community, Equity, and Understanding implements programs and activities that address issues of diversity, power, and privilege. Its goal is to improve the campus climate and enhance community life at Bryn Mawr College.
Bryn Mawr College offers a Gender and Sexuality Studies concentration, minor, and independent major. These interdisciplinary programs explore topics like LGBTQ+ history, feminist theory, and gender identity studies. The college also has LGBTQ+ student-led organizations, including the Rainbow Alliance and Zami+.
University of Colorado, Boulder
- Acceptance rate: 80%
- Undergraduate enrollment: 30,886
- In-state tuition: $12,496
- Out-of-state tuition: $38,314
- Six-year graduation rate: 74%
The University of Colorado, Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado.
CU Boulder has a Center for Inclusion and Social Change and a Pride Office. The university also offers LGBTQ Studies as a certification within the Department of Women and Gender Studies and resources for transitioning at CU Boulder.
CU Boulder has various organizations led by LGBTQ students, including Queer and Trans People of Color (QTPOC), the Gender & Sexuality Alliance, Out in STEM, and Bring Your Own Gender.
University of Washington - Seattle
- Acceptance rate: 53%
- Undergraduate enrollment: 36,201
- In-state tuition: $12,076
- Out-of-state tuition: $39,906
- Six-year graduation rate: 84%
The University of Washington (UW) is a leading public research university in Seattle, Washington.
UW is home to the Q Center, which facilitates and enhances a brave, affirming, liberatory, and celebratory environment for students, faculty, staff, and alumni of all sexual and gender orientations, identities, and expressions. It also offers a Graduate Certificate in Sexuality & Queer Studies in the Department of Gender, Women, & Sexuality Studies.
UW has many LGBTQ+ student organizations and groups, such as Queer People of Color Alliance Club, Out in Business, and Rainbow Grad.
Brown University
- Acceptance rate: 6%
- Undergraduate enrollment: 7,349
- Average tuition: $62,304
- Six-year graduation rate: 96%
Brown University is a prestigious Ivy League institution in Providence, Rhode Island with an undergraduate concentration in Gender and Sexuality Studies. They have a dedicated LGBTQ Center providing educational, emotional, and community support for LGBTQ+ students, staff, and faculty.
The college also boasts several organizations led by LGBTQ students, such as Queer Alliance, LGBTQ+ in STEM@Brown, and TrANSSEXUALs.
University of Pennsylvania
- Acceptance rate: 6%
- Undergraduate enrollment: 11,292
- Average tuition: $61,710
- Six-year graduation rate: 94%
The University of Pennsylvania is a prestigious Ivy League institution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Penn provides a dedicated resource center called the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center. The center's goal includes enriching the experience, fostering success, celebrating victories, and affirming the existence of Penn's LGBTQ+ undergraduates, professional and graduate students, staff, faculty, and alum using the lenses of social justice and intersectionality.
Penn offers a B.A. in Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies and an LGBTQ+ Certificate. It also fosters an LGBTQ+ student community with student organizations such as the Association for Queer International Students, J-BAGEL, Lambda Alliance, and Queer Student Alliance.
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
- Acceptance rate: 20%
- Undergraduate enrollment: 32,282
- In-state tuition: $16,178
- Out-of-state tuition: $53,232
- Six-year graduation rate: 94%
The University of Michigan is a renowned public research university in Ann Arbor.
At the University of Michigan, the Spectrum Center is a campus resource and advocacy center dedicated to serving and supporting members of the U-M LGBTQ+ communities.
The school also offers an LGBTQ and Sexuality Studies Minor and a Certificate in LGBTQ Studies within the Department of Women's and Gender Studies. Campus organizations for LGBTQ students such as the Queer Advocacy Coalition offer support and services for LGBTQ+ students and community members.
Indiana University, Bloomington
- Acceptance rate: 85%
- Undergraduate enrollment: 34,253
- In-state tuition: $11,333
- Out-of-state tuition: $38,352
- Six-year graduation rate: 81%
Indiana University, Bloomington, is a prominent public research university in Bloomington, Indiana.
IU Bloomington provides the LGBTQ+ Culture Center, where students will find a safe and welcoming learning environment that provides resources and support to help students successfully reach their educational goals.
The university also has several active student groups, such as the Queer Student Union, Latinx Initiative, and Transgender Union for Students (TrUSt).
Other colleges to consider
While these colleges didn't make our initial list, they're still worth checking out if you're interested in LGBTQ+-friendly colleges:
- Rutgers University
- Ohio State University
- Ithaca College
- Kansas State University
- University of Texas
- Princeton University
- University of Wisconsin
- University of Oregon
FAQ for LGBTQ+ college students
Below, we answer some common questions that LGBTQ+ students may have.
How can you tell if a college is LGBTQ+ friendly?
Here are some key resources and accommodations to look for to make sure a college is a safe space for LGBTQ+ people:
- Non-discrimination policies. Schools with explicit non-discrimination and campus safety policies that include protections for their LGBTQ+ student population are a good sign they take inclusion seriously.
- Inclusive policies. Colleges with policies that address LGBTQ+ needs, like gender-inclusive housing or restroom options, show they're making meaningful efforts to support all students.
- Partnerships with LGBTQ+ organizations. Schools that engage in outreach with advocacy groups or participate in initiatives like the Campus Pride Index demonstrate a real commitment to fostering an inclusive environment.
- LGBTQ+ resource centers. These dedicated spaces are support hubs offering everything from mental health resources to internship opportunities and mentoring programs. They also host workshops, support groups, and events that help build a strong campus community.
- LGBTQ+ student organizations. These student-led groups are the heartbeat of LGBTQ+ life on campus. They're all about mentorship, connection, and community, from organizing social events and lavender graduations to creating safe zones and leading advocacy initiatives.
- Gender-inclusive housing. More schools now offer housing that lets students choose roommates without worrying about gender identity. It's a game-changer for creating a safe and comfortable student life for LGBTQ+ students.
- Gender-neutral restrooms. Campuses with gender-neutral restrooms show they're committed to making sure everyone has access to safe, inclusive facilities, no matter their pronouns.
What states are the most and least LGBTQ+ friendly?
Vermont is widely considered LGBTQ+ friendly due to its progressive policies, protections, and inclusive communities. Illinois is also LGBTQ+ friendly, with laws protecting LGBTQ+ rights.
Florida, however, is less LGBTQ+ friendly, with recent legislation limiting protections and access for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Is the University of California LGBTQ-friendly?
Yes, the University of California is LGBTQ-friendly. It offers extensive resources, inclusive housing policies, and active LGBTQ+ student organizations across its campuses, creating a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ students.
Use College Rover to find the perfect school for LGBTQ+ students
If you need more guidance, College Rover can help you research schools based on their offerings, programs, and more. Whether you want to find trans-inclusive schools or those that specifically support LGBTQ students of color, College Rover can help you compare any school by factors important to you.
With College Rover, you have all the tools you need to pick the perfect higher education experience. Let College Rover help you make these next four years the best yet!
College Rover gets the majority of its data directly from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The DOE publishing schedule "lags" the most current data which some colleges post on their official websites. This may cause there to be a difference in the data you see on College Rover and an individual college website. College Rover's website is updated as the DOE data becomes available and is configured for the College Rover website.
