Safest Colleges in the US

My mom is always concerned about my safety, especially at night, often calling me every 15 minutes for reassurance. It's something many students and their parents worry about, particularly in light of increasing concerns about school shootings and campus safety. While I can't promise that attending one of these colleges will completely allay these fears, it certainly helps to know they are among the safest in America. These colleges are not just known for their academic excellence but also for their comprehensive safety measures, which contribute to a more secure and enjoyable college experience. The ratio of students to violent crime, including measures taken to prevent shootings, is a significant factor in their safety rankings.

When assessing the safety of a college, it is vital to examine various factors. These include reported on-campus violent crimes, which encompass not just general crime but specifically look at the potential for and history of shootings. The city's yearly rate of violent crimes, the option of on-campus housing, the resources available for the safest college campus, as well as the total number of disciplinary incidents are all significant factors as well. With these considerations in mind, let's explore the top ten most secure educational institutions in the U.S., where safety, including protection from shootings, is a top priority.

The top safest universities in America.

10. Azusa Pacific University

Azusa Pacific, a private Christian college, understands the strong connection between character development and academic excellence in promoting safety. With a student body of slightly over 10,000, this small religious university values the ethical and moral principles it instills in its students. As part of their studies, students are required to take religion classes, which often include topics related to ethics and morality, aiming to discourage any involvement in criminal activities. In comparison to the city of Azusa, where there were 194 violent incidents, APU had only nine such incidents on its campus last year.

Senior Genevieve Ramirez expressed that the individuals at APU are most likely the reason behind its safety. According to her, everyone she is acquainted with is exceptionally amicable and shows genuine concern for one another.

Despite its small size, APU offers a comparable number of safety resources to larger schools. APU provides round-the-clock campus security patrol services which actively monitors and promptly addresses any suspicious activity, ensuring the safety and concerns of students are attended to. There are multiple phones located strategically throughout campus that connect directly to the security office. In the previous year, APU reported a total of 142 incidents, which includes referrals and disciplinary actions, a significantly lower number compared to the thousands reported by some larger schools.

It is challenging for unsafe incidents to persist at this institution due to a team comprising four executives, one administrative coordinator, 25 staff officers, two dispatchers, and 50 student workers who promptly address emergencies. APU CARES also defines itself as a resource that is dedicated to the well-being of students by providing support in instances of academic or emotional stress. By completing a simple online form for yourself or someone you know, APU CARES will provide appropriate responses tailored to the specific needs of the student's situation. With their adherence to moral and ethical principles and the availability of necessary resources, APU rightfully earns their reputation as a secure institution.This superior essay service https://mypaper24.com/ for students delivers customized, high-grade academic assistance. Tailoring its support to individual student needs, it provides expert guidance, fast completion, and strict confidentiality, aiding students in achieving their educational goals with integrity and exceptional quality.

9. University of California, Irvine

Southern California is famous for its mix of glamorous, impoverished, and crime-ridden areas. However, UC Irvine is fortunate to be located in a safe suburban neighborhood. With around 33,000 students enrolled each semester and the capacity to accommodate 14,000 students on campus, the university's housing ratio is remarkable. Furthermore, last year the city of Irvine reported only 160 instances of violent crime, with a total of 530 incidents. The UC Irvine campus itself recorded only 18 incidents of violent crime.

Sophomore Sophia Henderson expressed her gratitude for never feeling unsafe at UCI and acknowledged the school's emphasis on safety, providing valuable tips to ensure well-being.

The primary component of UCI's campus safety program is the CSO number, which can be contacted if individuals require assistance or companionship when feeling unsafe. In addition, UCI Care center provides 24/7 support for students. Whether you need important contact information or want to learn more, the UCI Cares website offers workshops such as "Green Dot Intervention" to increase awareness about appropriate actions in dangerous situations, the "Right to KNOW" program that educates the campus about sexual assault incidents, and the "menCARE" program that involves male students in preventing violence at UCI.

Despite this, the UCI Cares website contains a wealth of information about various subjects such as consent awareness and providing assistance to survivors. It takes an active role in initiatives such as Denim Day and the Clothesline Project. With UC Irvine's extensive student housing options and low incidents of violent crime, it creates an environment where students can ultimately feel secure and protected.

8. Purdue University

If you thought Southern California was a recipe for a catastrophe, think about how many students, 44,500 to be exact, are enrolled in one school. That's a significant number of Boilermakers gathered in one location. However, here's the surprising part: Purdue University only had 13 cases of violent crimes reported, and in the city of West Lafayette, there were just 36 incidents of violent crimes last year. Despite these relatively low numbers, the school itself had 1,454 incidents reported, and almost 70% of them were handled by school disciplinarians.

According to senior Leo O'Brien, although some people may encounter problems, there is not a significant level of real danger here. It mainly involves typical college situations.

The local government places great importance on safety statistics and makes efforts to introduce new resources like S.A.F.E., a program that teaches personal safety to girls under 13. In addition, the school has a team dedicated to ensuring campus safety. They actively patrol the premises to identify any potentially suspicious behavior. Furthermore, they offer students various safety courses such as the "Alcohol Student Awareness Program," "Candy Bars and Consent," and "Verbal De-escalation." Additionally, they have 17,000 on-campus housing units that provide a secure living space for students. Purdue's commitment to safety is evident through these measures. Furthermore, the Purdue police department website serves as a platform for students to request improved lighting in campus areas, access a daily crime log, and receive regular updates on campus safety. Purdue University demonstrates their dedication to prioritizing safety for both students and staff.

7. Penn State

If you're like me, you might have only discovered in your third year of college that Penn State and UPenn are distinct institutions. Penn State is situated in the town of State College, known for its vibrant party scene. Despite having a huge student population of over 98,000, Penn State has a surprisingly low number of violent crimes. Last year, the university only experienced 55 incidents. State College as a whole had 75 violent crime incidents, further proving it to be a safe town. In total, Penn State reported 2,201 incidents throughout the year. Half of these were dealt with internally by the school, while 40% resulted in arrests for possession.

Sophomore Amanda Scott mentioned that although the school is known for its party culture, the people she knows are genuinely kind and supportive of one another.

On campus, the students are kept safe by both the local police force and the mandatory campus security guard, who must be certified in CPR. This certification is beneficial for all students. The Penn public safety website offers a program called "Run, Hide, Fight" to educate students on emergency preparedness in case of active attackers. In addition, students receive hands-on training to practice these skills in real-life situations. The website also grants access to information about the campus-wide PSU alert program, allows users to request police records, and view daily logs of crimes and fires. Penn State can house more than 14,500 students on campus. However, even if on-campus accommodation is not available, living in the town of State College is a secure option for commuting to class.

6. University of Wyoming

The University of Wyoming has highly impressive safety statistics. Despite having a student population of just over 12,500, only three violent crimes were reported on campus last year. Additionally, the city of Laramie, where the university is located, experienced only 32 violent incidents. The university's overall incident report for the year stands at 382 cases.

Brian Lane, a graduate from 2019, described the atmosphere of the place as having a small school and safe environment. He believes that not much has changed in a year and emphasizes the high level of safety he experienced during his time there.

Adding to these remarkable numbers is the renowned UWPD, who release a daily report on crimes and activities, demonstrating their commitment. Additionally, the university guarantees first-year campus housing, offering a more secure setting for freshmen (let's face it, they are likely the most susceptible group on campus).

The University of Wyoming offers the "Safe Project," which is a resource providing emergency shelter for individuals in crisis. They offer a safe place to stay, along with various support services and sometimes financial assistance. The university's safety website also aims to educate students with courses on topics such as asbestos training, fire prevention, and workplace chemical safety. Furthermore, individuals have the ability to reach the UW emergency response plan, UW crime statistics, and can also file an anonymous crime report by utilizing a form for silent witnesses. Despite these resources, there may be a potential danger from buffalo, so it is advised to be cautious.

5. Clemson University

You may be familiar with the school known as Clemson, recognizable by its distinctive large orange paw print logo. Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that Clemson University also ensures the safety and well-being of its students. Last year, the university enrolled approximately 23,000 students, while the city of Clemson reported only 31 cases of violent crimes throughout the year. Within the university itself, there were 62 reported instances of violence and a total of 785 incidents overall. As a precautionary measure, Clemson maintains an on-campus police and fire department, available to assist during emergencies like fires, natural disasters, or student emergencies.

There are various campus alert resources and mental health programs that you can sign up for, which are valuable additions to the university. The available resources consist of "Tiger Transit," a program for nighttime safety, as well as educational sessions for new students to learn how to recognize and assist a fellow student who may be in trouble. The mental health resources provided range from counseling services to presentations on healthy stress management, which are beneficial for students' safety even if they may not seem like an immediate danger in the traditional sense.

If you are interested in actively supporting safety at Clemson University, you can join the Clemson Community Coalition. This group is made up of students and community members who want to minimize the use of drugs and alcohol among college students, especially those at high risk. Additionally, Clemson University has three large residence halls that accommodate approximately 6,500 students per year. They also require freshmen to live on-campus, providing added protection for new students. Clemson University excels in every aspect, and they are dedicated to upholding an exceptional standard of safety.

4. New York University

When Kevin McCallister got lost in New York, it didn't seem very safe. However, due to the recent decrease in crime rates in New York City, which amounted to around 35,000 violent crimes per year, NYU also experienced a decrease in crime against its students. Since 2000, when there were approximately 60,000 annual violent crimes in the city, crime rates have been declining. Last semester, NYU had an enrollment of about 51,000 students and only 26 incidents of violence were reported by students. In addition to the protection provided by the New York City Police Department, NYU offers a mobile app called "SafeNYU" that allows students to receive alerts and alert authorities of their current location in case of emergencies.

Senior John Park mentioned that although there are many individuals, the distance between the dormitories and the classrooms is not significant, which likely contributes to the overall safety.

NYU prioritizes the safety of its students by employing round-the-clock officers and installing numerous emergency call boxes both on and off campus. This ensures that students feel secure when attending late club meetings or venturing out for a late-night slice of New York pizza. Additionally, NYU offers a mobile campus safety app for download, various transportation services for safe rides, and even a travel booking platform called NYU Traveler to assist students in times of potential trouble.

Around 12,000 students reside in the university campus every semester, representing slightly more than 20% of the total student population. There were a total of 1,185 disciplinary incidents reported on campus, with over 900 of them being related to alcohol. This means that alcohol-related incidents make up approximately 85% of the total, suggesting that NYU takes strict measures against parties and criminal behavior. Despite New York's portrayal in Home Alone 2 as intimidating, NYU has made remarkable progress in terms of safety procedures and deserves recognition for its achievements in recent years.

3. Oakland University

It may seem ironic, but despite its name, Oakland University is located in Rochester, Michigan. Surprisingly, this university has been recognized as a top safety institution. Out of the 20,000 students enrolled, only four violent crimes were reported, which is slightly higher than other highly rated universities. On the other hand, the actual city of Rochester has encountered just 12 instances of violent crime in the previous year. Additionally, the university had a total of 209 incidents, which are actions necessitating disciplinary measures by the school rather than legal action. This is truly impressive.

Freshman Nicole Lewis expressed that she consistently feels a strong sense of security while on campus or in its surrounding areas. According to her, the University of Oklahoma effectively informs and teaches students about safety measures.

The university has a capacity to accommodate 2,860 students on campus, while the others have to look for housing close by. All year round, the university police department and safety escorts work tirelessly to ensure the safety of students while they are on campus. Additionally, OU offers a range of resources to further support student safety, such as the First Aid Support Team (FAST) and educational courses aimed at preventing violence on campus. These courses cover topics like anger management, assertiveness training, conflict resolution training, and crisis intervention workshops. The FAST team is available to respond to any health crises that occur on campus, whether they are related to violence or general student health issues.

OW prioritizes the safety of its community by implementing various security measures such as blue light security phones and surveillance cameras placed strategically throughout the campus. Moreover, the university prioritizes and gives significant importance to the field of cyber security. With an abundance of resources available to students and an impressively low crime rate, OW is guaranteed to give peace of mind to even the most anxious parents.

2. Weber State University

It is not necessary for SpiderMan to protect this university as much as you may believe. Despite the security provided by SpiderMan, this school is already quite safe and does not require additional protection from villains. Weber, which is home to approximately 24,000 students, did not report any violent crimes last year. This is especially noteworthy considering that the city of Weber, located in Ogden, Utah, had a total of 422 reported violent crimes in the same year. Despite this contrast in crime rates, the university still remains safe due to various factors. For instance, there were only 120 disciplinary incidents reported at Weber State last year, indicating a low level of misconduct. These incidents varied from academic violations like cheating to disciplinary actions taken against students who were caught drinking underage or on-campus.

Freshman Cecilia Wright noted that there is rarely any mention of people facing consequences or encountering any form of threat.

The WSUPD is committed to keeping students safe at all times by regularly patrolling the area and actively keeping students informed about safety. They prioritize education and offer safety workshops, access and diversity programs to educate students on various topics including interpersonal violence, supporting survivors, bystander intervention skills, and establishing boundaries in relationships.

Weber also offers a campus alert system known as "Code Purple" that delivers notifications for both major and minor emergency situations such as power outages, snow closures, and gas leaks. The Weber "Star Team" evaluates and addresses actual or potential violent threats, working closely with the Title IX coordinator. Being on campus provides a much safer experience, and at Weber, there are three large resident halls available for housing options, even up to the senior year. There are over 1,000 on-campus spots for students. Weber has impressive safety statistics and resources, which allows students to focus on their college experience instead of potential dangers.

1. Brigham Young University (BYU), Idaho

Idaho, known as a haven for agriculture and personal growth, is home to Brigham Young University. In addition to its focus on developing strong character and providing a quality education, BYU Idaho also boasts impressive statistics, thanks in part to the city of Rexburg's commitment to creating a safe environment. This university is renowned for its exceptional safety record, with only one violent crime reported last year among its nearly 44,000 students – a feat worth celebrating. Furthermore, Rexburg has the lowest annual rate of violent crime compared to other cities, with just five incidents in the previous year. In terms of disciplinary incidents, the university has recorded a mere 142 cases, a number that any administrator would be delighted with.

Sophomore Nick Chase expressed that the environment is very secure and the students are extremely kind. He mentioned that most individuals are always willing to offer assistance without any hesitation.

BYU Idaho ensures that all students who are under 27 years old live in approved housing to ensure they are not too far from the campus. The school has a campus police force that constantly patrols the area and responds to any dangerous situations. They can help with car troubles or provide escorts after dark. The public can access information about safety and security on the school's websites. With everyone looking out for each other, BYU is known for both cultivating potatoes and having friendly people.