Here’s a clear and thoughtful overview of colleges in the U.S. that, as of mid-2025, have been reported to harbor notably hostile climates for Jewish students:
Colleges and Universities with Documented Antisemitism Concerns
1. Columbia University
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Evidence: Has received a “D” grade on ADL’s antisemitism report card and was found by the HHS Office for Civil Rights to have violated Title VI, showing “deliberate indifference” to student-on-student harassment of Jewish students. The university settled with the federal government for $220 million and imposed disciplinary measures against student protesters.
2. New York University (NYU)
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Evidence: Ranked by the AMCHA Initiative as the worst school in the nation for “anti-Zionist faculty influence,” with high numbers of faculty supporting academic boycotts of Israel.
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Additional reports describe an environment where Zionist opinions are unwelcome and Jewish identity may need to be concealed.
3. University of California, Berkeley
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Evidence: Identified in Brandeis research as a “hotspot” for hostility toward Israel and Jewish students.
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Reports also note antisemitic graffiti, polarization, and climate surveys placing Berkeley among the worst-performing institutions.
4. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
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Evidence: Named in a congressional investigation over antisemitism at its medical programs, including problematic seminar content and student discomfort.
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The Department of Justice accused UCLA of violating civil rights by failing to curtail a hostile environment amid pro-Palestinian protests.
5. George Washington University (GWU)
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Evidence: The DOJ determined GWU was “deliberately indifferent” to antisemitic harassment during Israel-related campus protests.
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Also highlighted in a student survey as one of 12 schools with the highest levels of antisemitic hostility.
6. University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, UCLA again, Ohio State, Boston University, UC San Diego, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Queens College (CUNY)
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These institutions appear among the top 12 campuses where Jewish students report the most antisemitic hostility.
7. University of Vermont (UVM)
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Evidence: Ranked with the highest number of reported antisemitic incidents in 2021. A federal complaint cited behaviors like exclusion, harassment, and insensitive TA conduct.
8. Other Schools with "Failing" ADL Grades (2025 Report)
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These schools—graded F by ADL—struggle significantly in policies, climate concerns, or support for Jewish life:
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California Polytechnic University (Cal Poly)
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DePaul University
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Evergreen State College
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Haverford College
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Loyola University New Orleans
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Pitzer College
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Pomona College
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Portland State University
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The New School
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University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)
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University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)
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University of Minnesota
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Summary Table: Reportedly Hostile Campuses
| University / College | Noted Issues / Findings |
|---|---|
| Columbia University | D grade, Title VI violation, federal settlement |
| New York University (NYU) | AMCHA’s worst ranked; strong faculty anti-Israel presence |
| UC Berkeley (Cal) | Brandeis “hotspot” for hostility; anti-Semitic incidents |
| UCLA | Congressional/DOJ investigations over hostile environment |
| George Washington University (GWU) | DOJ found deliberate indifference toward Jewish harassment |
| UPenn, Michigan, Ohio State, BU, UCSD, UW | Among top 12 campuses for antisemitic hostility per student report |
| University of Vermont (UVM) | Highest number of reported incidents; federal complaint raised and settled |
| ADL “F” institutions (Cal Poly, DePaul, etc.) | Failing grades on ADL report card for climate and policy failings |
Broader Context
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Incident spike: Hillel International documented a record 2,334 antisemitic incidents during the 2024–2025 academic year. While violent incidents fell, the overall trend remains concerning.
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Student experiences: A separate survey found 83% of Jewish students reported firsthand experiences of antisemitism since October 2023, with 41% hiding their identity, and many lacking confidence in institutional protections.
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