2025 College Campus Crime Statistics

Most Common Campus Crimes

The numbers paint a sobering picture of campus safety. In 2023, the latest year available, America's biggest colleges and universities reported 22,212 total crimes—a dramatic 13 percent jump from the 19,721 incidents reported in 2022.

Property crimes like motor vehicle theft and burglary were most common, making up 37 percent and 19 percent of all on-campus crime, respectively. Unfortunately, though, nearly one in five crimes on campuses nationwide were rapes.

Source: U.S. Department of Education

The frequency of motor vehicle thefts on campuses reflects broader U.S. trends of surging auto theft, particularly affecting urban campuses. However, sexual violence remains deeply entrenched in campus life, with four in five colleges with at least 5,000 students reporting rape incidents in 2023. Here are some alarming figures:

• Over 80 percent of campuses in our analysis reported sexual assaults in 2023
• Approximately 13 percent of all U.S. college students experience sexual assault, according to the Association of American Universities
• 7,146 total sex crimes were reported on large, four-year campuses in 2023 alone.

Federal policy changes have further complicated the issue. In 2025, the Trump administration reintroduced Title IX guidelines that shift the burden of proof and alter how cases are adjudicated on campus, while states like Washington and Delaware are passing new laws strengthening survivor protections and reporting requirements.

This policy uncertainty may impact future reporting patterns, as campuses navigate between federal requirements and state-level protections for survivors.

Colleges with the Highest Overall Crime Rates

The institutions with America's highest campus crime rates present a mix of prestigious universities and regional schools, often united by their urban locations or unique campus characteristics:

Source: U.S. Department of Education

Florida Institute of Technology topped the list with a staggering 17.6 crimes per 1,000 students. Despite its smaller size and technical focus, the Melbourne, Florida campus reported 150 total crimes, with violent offenses—particularly sexual crimes—driving much of this rate.

Stanford University and the University of California-Berkeley, two of California's most prestigious research institutions, struggle with high crime rates. Stanford's rate of 16.6 per 1,000 students included 306 total crimes, while Berkeley's massive campus saw 656 incidents. Valuable research equipment, construction sites, and high-density urban environments contribute to these elevated numbers.

Elite institutions dominate the rankings, with Dartmouth College (11.9), Yale University (10.7), and Rice University (12.6) all appearing in the top ten. This demonstrates that even prestigious institutions in smaller communities are not immune to campus crime.

Some of these schools may simply be better at documenting and reporting crimes that go unreported elsewhere, rather than being more dangerous.

Highest Crime Colleges in Each State

Every state had at least one campus with a crime rate above one 1 per 1,000 students in 2023. The highest-crime institution in each state reveals regional patterns:

Source: U.S. Department of Education

States like Wyoming (1.6), Oklahoma (1.5), and North Dakota (1.6) showed the lowest peak crime rates, typically at their flagship state universities in more rural settings.

Violent Crime on Campus

When examining violent crime specifically—including rape, assault, robbery, and murder—the patterns become even more concerning and concentrate in elite universities. The top 15 schools for violent crime rates reveal troubling trends:

Source: U.S. Department of Education

Sexual offenses drive many of these statistics. Florida Institute of Technology also had the highest rate of sex crimes among four-year nonprofit schools, while Ohio State University had the second-highest. Many schools with elevated violent crime rates—including Alaska, Utah, Vanderbilt, and Yale—see these numbers primarily driven by sexual assault reports.

This pattern may reflect improved reporting cultures at these institutions rather than higher incident rates. Schools with strong survivor support infrastructure and active awareness campaigns often see higher reported numbers as students feel more empowered to come forward.

Property Crime on Campus

Property crime—primarily motor vehicle theft, burglary, and arson—shows distinct geographic patterns, with California institutions dominating the worst performers:

Source: U.S. Department of Education

Six of the top ten schools for property crime are University of California campuses, reflecting broader state and regional trends in vehicle theft and burglary. Recent incidents include $40,000 of construction equipment stolen from UC Berkeley in 2024, and Stanford University has experienced a surge in car and car part thefts, prompting campus officials to warn students to remain vigilant.

Colleges With No Reported Crimes

In stark contrast, 29 colleges nationwide reported zero crimes in 2023. These institutions share common characteristics: they're often commuter schools, have significant online components, or are located in smaller, rural communities.

Source: U.S. Department of Education

Some notable zero-crime campuses include:

• CUNY Bernard M Baruch College (New York)
• Simmons University (Massachusetts)
• University of Wisconsin-Stout (Wisconsin)

Many of these schools are community colleges that often lack traditional on-campus housing. Without on-campus housing, students are less likely to be present on campus during late-night hours when many violent crimes occur. This reduces opportunities for crimes such as assault, robbery, and rape, which may be easier to commit under the cover of darkness or the influence of alcohol.

All colleges and universities that receive Title IV funding are required to submit crime and fire statistics to the U.S. government each year.