25 BEST VALUE LGBTQ-FRIENDLY COLLEGES

UC - San Diego's LGBT Resource Center outdoes the competition with the sheer breadth of its programs, helping to make the school one of the best universities for LGBTQ students. No matter your interest, UCSD likely has a program or group to support it. Queer student leaders can attend the Q League Leaders' Summit to hone their community-building skills, while anyone doing research on LGBT issues will appreciate the Rainbow Lending Library and its impressive collection. You can also find major-specific groups for queer students in many disciplines, from pharmacy to engineering.

For students who aren't out to their families, UC - Santa Barbara's Rainbow House could be immensely helpful. This supportive environment for LGBTQIA+ students tones down its "theme" on move-in day, instead presenting itself as a neutral living environment. If you are out to your parents, you might appreciate this top college for LGBTQ students' family orientation event, held as part of UCSB's annual Spring Insight orientation. The school also offers a robust set of resources to bring your queer identity into your studies, including help finding a study-abroad program and assistance with securing LGBTQ scholarships.

Through the Gender Identity, Expression, and Sexual Orientation Resource Center, Washington State University promotes "education, empowerment, and engagement" for its LGTBQ community. In particular, WSU recognizes that starting college offers you a chance to redefine, reinvent, or even just re-center yourself. As such, the university has created an inspiring "It Starts Now" program that encourages new students to embrace their gender identities and sexualities in a non-threatening environment. By motivating young people on campus to share their stories of self-discovery, WSU hopes to create an accepting and inclusive culture — which is just one of the reasons why it earns a spot on this top LGBTQ colleges ranking.

At UConn, the Rainbow Center provides both academic and social support in what it calls a "home-like" environment. But don't mistake its casual atmosphere for a less than genuine commitment to promoting diversity and acceptance. In fact, this top college LGBTQ program was integral in pushing UConn to adopt more gender-inclusive policies across the board. For the past 10 years in a row, the school has even hosted the noteworthy True Colors conference for queer people of color. Discussion groups, a lecture series, movie screenings, and lots of comprehensive resources round out the support available to LGBTQIA+ Huskies.

PSU's Queer Resource Center knows that individual stories can be powerful tools for changing minds. That's why it started a Queer Speaker's Bureau, where students can request a panel to share their stories with classrooms, student groups, faculty members, and more. Panels wrap up with a question and answer session, making them interactive and informal while also inviting thoughtful discussion. This affordable LGBTQ friendly college also has plenty of traditional programs available, including educational seminars and other helpful resources. What's more, PSU supports and an all-gender housing option that matches roommates without regard to gender.

At U of M, support for queer students isn't limited to the school's campus. Indeed, the university is equally devoted to pursuing equity and access for LGBTQ students in the Twin Cities at large. For example, the Transgender Commission works to build community and promote trans-friendly policies. Back on campus, Sexuality and Gender Ambassadors educate their peers and faculty members and work to engage the student body in important LGBTQIA+ issues, while a mentorship program encourages one-on-one support. And like a few other schools on this top LGBTQ colleges ranking, U of M helps connect students with relevant scholarships that can ease their financial burden.

The top college LGBTQ program at Williams has come a long way since its humble beginnings. Back in the 1970s, it operated as a closed - and somewhat secretive - group for gay students. Today, the Williams community supports its LGBTQIA+ students with extensive social and educational programming, helpful resources, and a Pride Peers initiative designed to provide more personal support. Pride Peers receive comprehensive training that enables them to support incoming freshmen with any questions or issues they might have. Plus, it's a great way for new students to see a friendly, welcoming face as they start their college career!

Beyond just celebrating diversity, UIC also seeks to challenge heteronormativity in everything it does. It's also one of the most affordable universities for LGBTQ students, with a net price of less than $12,000 for undergrads. The school offers gender-inclusive bathrooms, provides holistic health care services, and makes sure that name changes are as painless as possible. You can also get involved in the Safe Zone program, which works to establish intersectional and inclusive spaces both on campus and around Chicago and can even provide guided workshops. The current Safe Zone initiative highlights collaboration and seeks to create even more inclusive experiences for all students on campus.

For trans students in particular, Boulder offers a safe haven dedicated to inclusivity. The school places no limits on housing for trans individuals, and it even wrote a guide for students who are preparing to transition while studying at Boulder. This top LGBTQ friendly college also hosts the TRANSforming Gender Conference, which features keynote speakers from the trans community. The conference also leads interactive sessions like "Ask a Trans Person," during which cisgender students can ask questions in a safe and judgment-free space. Other programs at Boulder include safe-zone training, peer education, and lots of social events to help buoy and strengthen the school's LGBTQ+ community.

Montclair State University's LGBTQ Center may be relatively new (it opened in 2009), but it's quickly helped the school scale great heights on LGBTQ/higher education rankings. One central aspect of its program is the Stonewall Suites living community, which offers open housing and an inclusive environment for queer students across the spectrum. Stonewall Suites even hosts group events to help members learn how to address complex issues in the LGBTQ community. This affordable college for LGBTQ students also gives out Pride awards and hosts an annual "lavender graduation," where members of the community and their families can celebrate their achievements in a special ceremony.

The comprehensive programs at UW - Madison move beyond simply supporting queer students to providing real opportunities. For example, the LGBT Campus Center connects students with relevant jobs and paid internships. Another example is the Queer Emerging Leaders Program, which provides ambitious undergrads with a 13-week, leadership-focused curriculum that counts as academic credit. This top LGBTQ friendly college also acknowledges the intersection of sexual orientation and gender identities with disabilities, and it strives to offer an inclusive selection of programming that's accessible to all. Lastly, Madison provides plenty of resources for queer students about coming out, enjoying healthy relationships, and navigating campus to ensure a positive collegiate experience.

The abundance of so-called "Q*mmunities" at Ohio State help make it one of the best universities for LGBTQ students in the country. This progressive approach highlights what many queer programs lack - an awareness that LGBTQ+ individuals are much more than their sexual orientation. Students of faith, for example, can join the "Spiritual Q*mmunity" to discuss religious ideas with their peers. Similarly, the "Students of Color Q*mmunity" explores the intersection of race, sexuality, and gender, while the "First Year Q*mmunity" gives freshmen a safe place to acclimate to life on campus. The school also hosts frequent leader development opportunities and social/educational events for both queer students and their dedicated allies.

It's probably no shock that four UC system schools earned a spot on this affordable LGBTQ colleges ranking. And yet, each has something different to offer. For example, UC - Davis is one of the few colleges (in California or elsewhere) to maintain an "Out List," where faculty, staff, and graduate students can publicly list themselves as LGBTQIA+. The reason? So undergrads in search of support can easily find someone to talk to - maybe even one of their own professors! The school's resource center also offers health services, counseling, support groups, and even Rainbow House, a campus housing community for queer students and allies.

With an abundance of campus organizations related to LGBTQ+ issues, Wash U fosters a uniquely supportive - and active - environment for queer students. These clubs run the gamut from peer mentoring opportunities and support forums to groups focused on advocacy and education. The school further demonstrates its support through an annual award ceremony, which honors LGBTQ+ students and recognizes noteworthy achievements in the community. But that's not all; Wash U's LGBTQIA Campus Life also hosts a free two-day retreat each year. This top college LGBTQ program, which emphasizes leadership development, provides an opportunity for participants to meet other community members and discuss both shared and individual experiences.

Given that CampusPride.org (which uses a complex index to rank schools) includes Indiana University as one of the best colleges for LGBTQ students, it's no surprise we've included it on our list, too. Through its LGBTQ+ Culture Center, the school offers comprehensive resources and support for queer students and their families. There's a dedicated LGBTQ+ library, a training program for allies who want to better support their queer friends, and multiple niche student groups for different identities (ace, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming, for example). And if you need financial support to afford an education at Indiana, the Culture Center can help connect you with loans, grants, and scholarships available through myriad queer-supporting organizations.