Each year, college-bound students and their families weigh multiple factors in choosing the right school—academic rigor, campus culture, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. But for Jewish applicants, another concern has become increasingly urgent: how well a university protects against antisemitism. To help answer that question, ADL (formerly the Anti-Defamation League) publishes its annual Campus Antisemitism Report Card, a comprehensive assessment of how colleges and universities are addressing antisemitism within their communities.

Now in its second year, the 2025 report card evaluated 135 schools, up from 85 in 2024, assigning letter grades based on a range of factors, including administrative policies, Jewish campus life, and the prevalence of antisemitic incidents. The results provide an essential resource for prospective students and a benchmark for colleges and universities striving to create safer, more inclusive environments. The expanded list of schools assessed reflects the growing concern over antisemitism on college campuses nationwide, reinforcing the importance of institutional accountability.  The ADL’s grading system isn’t based on a single metric but rather a combination of factors. 

To determine a grade, the ADL gathers data from multiple sources, including direct input from university administrations, student surveys, and independent research. Colleges were invited to self-report their policies and programs, while representatives from campus Hillels and Chabads provided insights into their campus communities. 

The Best and Worst Grades in 2025

Among the 135 schools assessed in the ADL’s Campus Antisemtism Report Card, eight universities earned an ‘A’ for their strong policies and campus climate, while thirteen received an ‘F’ for failing to address antisemitism effectively.

Top-Performing Institutions (Grade: A)

• • Brandeis University 
  • CUNY Brooklyn College 
  • Elon University 
  • Florida International University 
  • Queens College, CUNY 
  • University of Alabama 
  • University of Miami 
  • Vanderbilt University 

Lowest-Ranked Institutions (Grade: F)

• • California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo 
  • DePaul University 
  • Evergreen State College 
  • Haverford College 
  • Loyola University, New Orleans 
  • Pitzer College 
  • Pomona College 
  • Portland State University 
  • Scripps College 
  • The New School 
  • University of California, Santa Barbara 
  • University of Illinois, Chicago 
  • University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

Additionally, the ADL conducted secondary research to assess antisemitic incident rates and university responses. A survey helped weigh the importance of different criteria, ensuring that Jewish students’ experiences were central to the grading process. An advisory panel of educators and Jewish community leaders provided additional oversight, though final grading decisions remained with the ADL.

Notably, some universities that received poor marks in 2024 have made significant improvements this year through new initiatives, demonstrating that institutional commitment can lead to meaningful change. This year’s report found that 45% of previously graded schools improved their scores, while only 9% saw a decline. Notable improvements include institutions such as Georgetown University, Harvard University, the University of Michigan, and Vanderbilt University, which all moved up two full grade levels. 

ADL also found that more than half of the colleges and universities measured by the 2024 report card have enacted significant policies to address campus antisemitism, with many revising their demonstration policies and improving bias reporting mechanisms.

“The improvement on campus is largely due to new administrative initiatives implemented in response to the campus antisemitism crisis,” Shira Goodman, ADL vice president of advocacy, said in a statement. “We’re glad that improving the campus climate for Jewish students was a priority for many of these schools, and we hope all colleges and universities understand the importance of developing and enforcing strong policies and procedures to create a safe and welcoming environment for Jewish students and all students.”

Despite progress, antisemitism remains a pressing concern on many campuses. A recent ADL survey found that 83% of Jewish students experienced or witnessed antisemitism in the past year. With tensions heightened as a result of the Israel-Hamas war, the role of universities in fostering safe and inclusive communities has never been more critical.

The report card also highlights discrepancies in how public and private colleges and universities handle antisemitism. Public universities, constrained by the First Amendment, must navigate free speech considerations while enforcing codes of conduct. Meanwhile, private institutions often have more flexibility in responding to antisemitic incidents but may lack the structured policies to do so effectively. By evaluating both types using the same criteria, the ADL encourages all schools to take meaningful action, regardless of their governance structure.

Some institutions, despite robust policies, still received lower grades due to high incidence rates, underscoring the importance of not just policies on paper but actual campus climate. Others showed improvement in policy adoption but have yet to see results in reducing antisemitic incidents. The ADL acknowledges that each campus faces a unique set of challenges and will continue refining the report card to capture the most accurate representation of antisemitism in higher education nationwide.

For students, parents, and employees, the ADL’s Campus Antisemitism Report Card is a valuable resource—one that highlights where progress is being made and where urgent work remains. As universities continue to grapple with these complex issues, transparency and accountability remain key to ensuring every student can pursue their education free from hate.