# US university free speech and academic rankings > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-university-free-speech-and-academic-rankings > Updated: 2026-09-13T15:00:01.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. Recent reports from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) have highlighted diverse free speech climates across various American universities. In September 2026, the rankings showed significant disparities. Purdue University received high marks, ranking seventh overall and third among public schools, with its score improving to 76.9. Conversely, several Pennsylvania institutions, including Carnegie Mellon, Duquesne, and the University of Pittsburgh, received failing grades. Data indicated that Pennsylvania’s average speech climate grade was an F, with 42% of students in the state reporting they self-censored on campus at least once or twice a month. By September 2027, evaluations of the Claremont Colleges showed mixed results. Claremont McKenna College secured second place in the FIRE rankings with an improved score of 80.1, despite being surpassed by the University of Chicago. In contrast, Pomona College ranked 226th out of 261 schools in the FIRE report, though it received high marks from other publications for environmental responsibility and general undergraduate quality. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-13: Claremont Colleges receive mixed academic and free speech rankings Claremont Colleges received mixed reports, with Claremont McKenna ranking second in FIRE’s free speech rankings while Harvey Mudd and CMC earned high placements from Time and The Princeton Review. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/claremont-colleges-receive-mixed-academic-and-free-speech-rankings ### 2026-09-09: College Free Speech Rankings show varying campus climates The College Free Speech Rankings reveal a divide in campus climates, with Purdue University earning high marks while several Pennsylvania universities, including Pitt and Carnegie Mellon, received failing marks 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/college-free-speech-rankings-show-varying-campus-climates --- Cite as: US university free speech and academic rankings. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-university-free-speech-and-academic-rankings