These LGBTQ-friendly colleges were ranked based on the presence and size of an LGBTQ+ organization on campus, the diversity of faculty, and the resources dedicated to healthcare and social services for LGBTQ+ students, among other factors.AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images
- The National Society of Leadership and Success conducted research into 720 colleges.
- Researchers at the nonprofit examined the resources the colleges had for LGBTQ+ students.
The National Society of Leadership and Success, a national nonprofit that helps young adults develop leadership skills, conducted research on the more than 720 colleges and universities where it has student chapters. The organization, which has previously partnered with the likes of President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush, identified 10 universities with exceptional resources for LGBTQ+ students.
Colleges were ranked based on the presence and size of an LGBTQ+ organization on campus, the diversity of faculty, resources dedicated to healthcare and social services for LGBTQ+ students, and an evaluation by Campus Pride, a nonprofit that works with colleges to make them more LGBTQ+ friendly.
Here are the most LGBTQ+ friendly colleges and universities, according to the NSLS analysis.
1. Rutgers University
Rutgers University. Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images
Rutgers' Center for Social Justice Education and LGBT Communities creates an inclusive setting for students and also provides education in gender, sexuality, and identity studies, according to the NSLS. The center pairs queer students with mentors for additional needed support, the nonprofit found.
2. University of Washington
The University of Washington. Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The University of Washington offers a major in Gender and Sexuality Studies. It also has the Q Center, which offers community, education, and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.
3. Ohio State University
Ohio State University. Stephen Zenner/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Ohio State University provides LGBTQ+ students many resources and services including mental healthcare, tutoring, and several networking organizations, such as LGBTQ+ & Allies in Medicine and Out in Business.
4. University of Massachusetts, Amherst
The University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Suzanne Kreiter/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
The Stonewall Center at UMass, Amherst, was established in 1985 to provide physical- and mental-health services, educational programs, and advocacy workshops. It's one of the oldest college LGBTQ+ organizations in the nation, according to the NSLS.
5. Texas A&M University, San Antonio
Texas A&M, San Antonio John Biever/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
6. San Diego State University
San Diego State University. Sandy Huffaker/AFP via Getty Images
The university offers a robust number of student groups like the Queer Student Union and Womyn's Outreach Association, as well as a number of events designed for LGBTQ+ students. The SDSU Pride Center is dedicated to providing queer, trans, and gender-nonconforming students with the support to make the most of their college years, according to the NSLS.
7. University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park. Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The LGBTQ+ Equity Center at the University of Maryland is dedicated to providing inclusive programming for the campus's diverse community. In addition to student-life programming, the center offers leadership training for the next generation of social-justice advocates, according to the nonprofit's research.
8. Montclair State University
Montclair State University. Kevin Colton/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
The university has an extensive array of LGBTQ+ services and an on-campus LGBTQ+ residential community.
9. Metropolitan State University of Denver
Metropolitan State University of Denver. AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images
Founded in 1992, the LGBTQ Resource Center at Metropolitan State University is a safe space and resource center designed to give LGBTQ+ students a place to gather.
10. University of Oregon
The University of Oregon. Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The University of Oregon's LGBT Education and Support Services department offers social and professional groups and organizations for students to engage and network with their communities, according to the NSLS.