College Safety Statistics

What Are the Latest Campus Crime Statistics?

National college safety statistics show that while most U.S. campuses remain relatively safe, serious incidents continue to impact thousands of students each year. 

According to the most recent report by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), degree-granting postsecondary institutions reported 13 murders and 5 negligent manslaughters, 10,403 sexual offenses, 524 robberies, 2,076 aggravated assaults, 6,453 burglaries, 3,522 motor vehicle thefts, and 430 arsons on campus during the 2021 academic year.

These official campus crime reports, collected under the Clery Act by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education, highlight that while many institutions maintain strong campus safety and security programs, violent crimes occur across both large universities and community colleges nationwide. 

In the sections below, we’ll examine detailed crime statistics, trends in reported incidents, and what these findings mean for college students, campus officials, and local communities.

Murder

In 2021, U.S. colleges and universities reported 13 murders and 5 cases of negligent manslaughter, according to the Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education. 

While murder remains the rarest category among campus crimes, these violent crimes happen both on and near campus grounds, often involving students, visitors, or local law enforcement. Even a single homicide profoundly affects the sense of safety and prompts enhanced security measures at affected institutions.

Sexual Criminal Offenses

Sexual violence remains one of the most frequently reported and deeply concerning forms of campus crime. In 2021, 10,364 forcible sex offenses were reported, including 5,839 rapes and 4,525 fondling incidents. Another 39 nonforcible sex offenses, such as incest or statutory rape, were recorded.

Despite prevention programs and Clery Act requirements mandating timely warnings and awareness education, reported offenses of this type have steadily risen as more students come forward. Many schools work closely with school officials and local law enforcement agencies to investigate reports of sexual assault and ensure compliance with Title IX and campus security regulations.

Robbery

There were 524 robberies reported across U.S. college campuses in 2021. These incidents typically involved theft or attempted theft by force or threat, often in dormitories, parking lots, or areas surrounding campus housing. 

While robbery rates are lower than in the general population, these reported crimes illustrate how students remain vulnerable when valuable personal property like phones or laptops is involved. School security offices often collaborate with local police to deter such offenses through lighting improvements and expanded patrol coverage.

Aggravated Assault

In 2021, there were 2,076 aggravated assaults reported on U.S. campuses. These violent crimes involved attacks intended to cause serious bodily injury, sometimes using weapons. Aggravated assault remains one of the most serious criminal offenses under the Clery Act, and many colleges now provide de-escalation and self-defense resources for students. 

Institutions that are funded under Title IV are also required to document and disclose these incidents in annual campus crime data reports to promote transparency and accountability.

Burglary

Burglary, the unlawful entry into campus buildings or dorms to commit theft, accounted for 6,453 incidents in 2021. While burglary numbers have declined compared to the previous decade, it remains one of the most common property crimes affecting students. 

These crimes often occur during breaks or weekends when residence halls are vacant. To reduce risk, school officials continue to invest in electronic key systems, video surveillance, and cooperative efforts with local law enforcement.

Motor Vehicle Theft

Motor vehicle theft remains a significant safety concern, with 3,522 vehicles reported stolen in 2021. This includes both student- and faculty-owned cars, as well as scooters and motorcycles parked on or near college campus property. 

These reported offenses often occur in large university parking areas or poorly lit lots. Many universities now implement license plate recognition systems and increased patrols to prevent such thefts and recover stolen vehicles.

Arson

Arson, the intentional burning or attempted burning of property, was reported 430 times on U.S. college campuses in 2021. Though less common than other crimes, arson incidents can result in significant property damage, injuries, and threats to life. Under Clery Act reporting requirements, school officials must include both structure and vehicle fires in annual statistics. 

Many institutions have since strengthened safety and security training, mandatory evacuation drills, and emergency communication protocols to better protect students and staff.

Weapons-, Drug-, and Liquor-Related Arrests and Referrals

Beyond violent crimes, the Department of Education’s campus crime data show that thousands of students each year face arrests or disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug, and liquor law violations. These categories account for the vast majority of reported incidents on U.S. college campuses, reflecting both law enforcement activity and internal enforcement by school officials.

In 2021, there were 13,819 total arrests reported across all colleges and universities funded under Title IV. Of these, 972 arrests involved illegal weapons possession, 6,463 were for drug law violations, and 6,384 were for liquor law violations. 

While arrests for weapons possession are relatively rare, drug- and alcohol-related offenses remain persistent challenges for campus safety and security programs, particularly at larger public universities and community colleges with residential housing.

Alongside criminal arrests, 127,278 disciplinary referrals were issued for violations of the same categories, demonstrating that most of these incidents are handled through disciplinary systems rather than the criminal courts. Of these referrals, 890 involved illegal weapons possession, 23,715 were related to drug law violations, and 102,673 concerned liquor law violations. 

These referrals for disciplinary action highlight how school officials use internal sanctions such as counseling, probation, or educational programs to address conduct that endangers safety without necessarily escalating to local law enforcement.

Drug Use Among College Students

Substance use among students remains a critical factor in understanding safety on campus, health outcomes, and related crime stats. 

According to the NCES, 37.0% of full-time students aged 18–22 reported using any illicit drug in the past year. Of these, 34.5% used marijuana, 4.3% used cocaine, and 4.1% misused prescription-type pain relievers. In addition, 69.5% of students reported alcohol use, and 21.6% said they smoked cigarettes.

By Sex

• Male students: 36.3% reported using any illicit drug, including 34.2% marijuana, 4.8% cocaine, and 3.7% misuse of pain relievers. Alcohol use stood at 67.0%, and cigarette use at 24.2%.
• Female students: 37.7% reported any illicit drug use, with 34.9% using marijuana, 3.8% using cocaine, and 4.4% misusing pain relievers. Alcohol consumption among females was 72.0%, while 19.0% reported cigarette use.

By Race and Ethnicity

Patterns of drug use and alcohol consumption also vary significantly across racial and ethnic groups:

• White students: Highest overall illicit-drug use at 42.3%, including 39.4% marijuana, 5.6% cocaine, and 4.9% misuse of pain relievers. Alcohol use reached 77.4%, and cigarette use 26.3%.
• Black students: 36.9% reported any illicit drug use, 34.9% marijuana, 1.7% cocaine, and 3.3% misuse of pain relievers. Alcohol use was 57.8%, with 15.0% smoking cigarettes.
• Hispanic students: 28.1% used any illicit drug, including 26.3% marijuana, 3.7% cocaine, and 3.5% pain relievers. Alcohol use reached 63.5%, and 17.8% reported cigarette use.
• Asian students: Reported the lowest overall illicit-drug use at 19.9%, with 18.8% marijuana use, 1.1% misuse of pain relievers, and insufficient data on cocaine use. Alcohol use was 52.1%, and cigarette use 10.2%.
• Students of two or more races: Reported the highest rates in several categories, including 44.3% overall illicit-drug use, 40.0% marijuana, 6.5% cocaine, and 67.6% alcohol use, with 20.1% reporting cigarette use and insufficient data on painkiller misuse.

This analysis shows persistent disparities in drug and alcohol use across gender and racial lines, influencing both health and campus crime trends. The data suggest that students identifying as White or of two or more races are more likely to report illicit drug and alcohol use, while male students are more likely to smoke cigarettes or use cocaine.

Hate Crimes

Hate crimes remain one of the most serious threats, targeting students based on race, religion, gender, disability, and more. According to the NCES, there were 667 hate crimes reported on U.S. college campuses in 2021, a rate of 0.481 per 10,000 full-time-equivalent students.

Hate Crimes by Type of Offense

• Intimidation — With 300 reports, the most common hate-motivated offense on U.S. campuses was intimidation, which accounted for nearly half of all reported hate crimes. Bias motivations included 160 race-based, 21 ethnicity-based, 25 religion-based, 56 sexual-orientation-based, 23 gender-based, 13 gender-identity-based, and 2 disability-related incidents. These cases often involved threats, verbal abuse, or online harassment directed toward students because of personal identity or perceived group membership.
• Destruction, Damage, and Vandalism — The second-largest category of hate crimes involved 243 incidents of property destruction or vandalism. Motives included 104 race-based, 13 ethnicity-based, 62 religion-based, 48 sexual-orientation-based, 6 gender-based, and 10 gender-identity-based offenses. Graffiti, damage to dorm rooms, and vandalized cultural or religious symbols were common.
• Simple Assault — Simple assaults made up 61 offenses, including 31 race-based, 7 ethnicity-based, 4 religion-based, 12 sexual-orientation-based, 3 gender-based, 3 gender-identity-based, and 1 disability-related attack. These violent crimes typically caused minor or no physical injury but had severe emotional and psychological effects on victims.
• Aggravated Assault — There were 18 aggravated assaults, including 9 race-based, 2 ethnicity-based, 3 sexual-orientation-based, 3 gender-based, and 1 gender-identity-based incident. These assaults involved serious bodily harm or the use of weapons, often requiring local law enforcement involvement.
• Larceny — A total of 25 hate-motivated larcenies were reported: 7 race-based, 5 religion-based, 10 sexual-orientation-based, and 3 gender-identity-based. Though less violent, these cases represent targeted thefts linked to bias against the victim’s identity.
• Sexual Offenses (Forcible) — Eight forcible sexual offenses were reported as hate crimes, including 7 gender-based and 1 gender-identity-based incidents. These attacks underscore the intersection between sexual violence and gender-related bias on college campuses.
• Burglary — Six burglaries were classified as hate crimes: 2 race-based, 3 religion-based, and 1 sexual-orientation-based. These often involved break-ins accompanied by vandalism or discriminatory messages.
• Robbery — There were five robberies reported as hate crimes on college campuses in 2021. The NCES lists the total count for robbery but does not provide a breakdown of perpetrator’s bias for this offense category.
• Arson — One hate-motivated arson was reported, posing significant risk to campus property and student safety.
• Murder — No murders motivated by bias were reported on U.S. college campuses in 2021.
• Sex Offenses (Nonforcible) — There were no nonforcible sex offenses (such as incest or statutory rape) reported as hate crimes.
• Motor Vehicle Theft — No motor-vehicle thefts were classified as hate-motivated in 2021.

The 2021 data show that intimidation and vandalism together made up more than 80 % of all reported campus hate crimes, while violent crimes such as aggravated assault and sexual offenses remained less frequent but deeply impactful. Racial bias was the leading motive across all categories, followed by sexual orientation and religion.

Where Do Most Reported Crimes Occur?

According to the U.S. Department of Education data compiled by SafeHome.org, the top 10 campuses with the highest overall crime rates in 2023 were:

1. Florida Institute of Technology – 17.6 crimes per 1,000 students (150 total)
2. Stanford University – 16.6 (306 total)
3. University of California–Berkeley – 14.4 (656 total)
4. University of California–San Diego – 13.1 (556 total)
5. Rice University – 12.6 (108 total)
6. Dartmouth College – 11.9 (80 total)
7. University of Notre Dame – 11.8 (155 total)
8. Yale University – 10.7 (162 total)
9. University of California–Los Angeles – 10.5 (492 total)
10. University of New Mexico–Main Campus – 10.4 (237 total)

Ohio State University had the nation’s highest violent crime rates, while Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis was excluded as the joint campus split into two separate universities in July 2024

Many of these institutions are large, urban universities or elite research campuses with open designs and dense student populations. Higher crime rates at schools like Stanford and UC Berkeley are often tied to property crimes and sexual offenses, while smaller private universities like Dartmouth or Rice may have elevated rates due to more accurate and transparent reporting practices.

Which College Campuses Have No Reported Crimes?

By contrast, 29 U.S. colleges reported zero crimes in 2023, among which was Villanova University. These institutions are typically commuter-based or rural campuses with smaller student bodies, limited on-campus housing, and close partnerships with local law enforcement agencies.

Experts note that “zero reported crimes” doesn’t necessarily mean an absence of incidents. Rather, it may reflect underreporting, differing interpretations of Clery Act requirements, or truly low-risk environments. Smaller and religiously affiliated colleges in the country often fall into this category, highlighting the diverse realities of campus security across the nation.

What Laws Govern College Campus Safety and Security?

Campus safety and crime reporting are governed primarily by federal law under the Clery Act and Title IX, which set nationwide standards for how colleges handle criminal offenses, sexual violence, and threats to security on campus grounds. 

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education oversees compliance for institutions that receive Title IV funding, ensuring schools maintain transparency and accountability in safety reporting.

What Are the Clery Act Requirements?

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, commonly known as the Clery Act, mandates that all colleges and universities receiving federal student aid must:

• Publish an Annual Security Report (ASR) detailing reported crimes, fire statistics, and safety policies.
• Maintain a public daily crime log and provide timely warnings about ongoing threats.
• Collect and submit crime data, including hate crimes, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
• Coordinate with local law enforcement agencies to ensure accurate crime data.

Failure to comply can result in significant federal fines and the loss of Title IV funding.

What Is Title IX?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex-based discrimination in all educational programs and activities receiving federal assistance. This includes protection against sexual harassment, sexual assault, and discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation. 

Schools must appoint a Title IX coordinator, investigate all complaints, and implement grievance procedures to ensure equitable treatment for all students.

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

At Injury Lawyer Team, we represent students who have experienced sexual assault, dating violence, or other acts of violence on campus. Our attorneys understand the complex interaction between federal law, campus disciplinary systems, and local law enforcement. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we win your case.

If you or someone you care about was harmed on a college campus, our lawyers can help you pursue justice with compassion and skill. Book a free consultation today to discuss your options and learn how we can help protect your rights.