LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan’s college campuses aren’t exactly earning honors when it comes to free speech. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) released its 2027 College Free Speech Rankings recently, ranking 261 colleges nationwide based on student surveys, campus policies and recent speech-related controversies. Michigan’s seven ranked universities earned an average grade of D, although that was slightly better than the national average of D-.

Michigan Tech Leads, U-M Lands at Bottom

Michigan Technological University was the state’s standout, ranking No. 4 nationally and earning FIRE’s “green light” rating. It also ranked first nationally for “Political Tolerance.” Michigan State University came in at No. 70, Western Michigan University at No. 110 and the University of Michigan was Michigan’s lowest-ranked school at No. 166.

MORE NEWS: Democratic Saginaw County Sheriff Crosses Party Lines to Endorse John James for Governor

Overall, Michigan’s seven ranked schools averaged a rank of 112 out of 261 schools nationwide. Last year, their average rank was 110 out of 257.

Students Still Keeping Quiet

Perhaps more revealing than the rankings themselves are what Michigan students told FIRE. Thirty-nine percent said they self-censor on campus at least once or twice a month. Meanwhile, 67% said shouting down a speaker to prevent them from speaking is acceptable in at least rare circumstances. Even more striking, 29% said using violence to stop someone from speaking can be acceptable, at least rarely. FIRE also found roughly 2.54 liberal students for every conservative student on Michigan campuses.

‘Overall State of Free Speech … Is Grim’

“The overall state of free speech on campus is grim,” FIRE President and CEO Greg Lukianoff said in a press release.

Lukianoff said there are some signs of improvement nationally, but cautioned against celebrating just yet. Lukianoff said too many administrators continue to “cancel controversial speakers,” give in to demands for censorship and restrict academic freedom, arguing colleges need to more fully embrace their free-speech obligations.

A closer look at Michigan’s grades in the report illustrates the problem: a D for comfort expressing ideas, a D for self-censorship, a D- for administrative support, and an F for political tolerance.