Boise State University and the University of Idaho have received lackluster grades from a nonprofit group that advocates for campus free speech.

But if graded on a curve, the Boise State and U of I grades look a little bit better. Both universities received a “D” from the Philadelphia-based Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. Using student surveys, FIRE ranked 261 colleges and universities; 121 received failing grades.

The September 2025 slaying of conservative activist Charlie Kirk had far-reaching effects, FIRE said. Some colleges denied recognition for chapters of Kirk’s Turning Point USA, while nine schools punished faculty members who publicly criticized Kirk.

“The overall state of free speech on campus is grim,” FIRE President and CEO Greg Lukianoff said in a news release. “Too many college administrators wield their power to cancel controversial speakers, cave to government or student calls for censorship, and limit academic freedom.”

FIRE rated only two Idaho universities. Click on the links for the full reports on Boise State and the U of I. Here are a few thumbnails.

Boise State: overall ranking, 59 of 261

Boise State earned a top 50 ranking for “political tolerance,” a signal that students are willing to host controversial speakers. But the university ranked in the bottom 50 for “openness,” according to the FIRE report, “meaning many contentious topics feel off-limits to students.”

Anonymous student quotes from FIRE’s survey

One student reported an exchange from class: A professor said she was very upset with the outcome of the presidential election, and asked students to sum up their thoughts in one word. The student had a response in mind, contentment, but was reluctant to express it. “I thought I would get attacked or judged if I said that,” the student wrote.

Another student, a lesbian, said she is often frightened to discuss her partner’s gender. “I am afraid of my fellow students.”

Boise State student survey results, by the numbers

• 47% of students say they have self-censored, at least once or twice a month.
• 70% of students say it’s acceptable, at least in rare cases, to preempt an event by shouting down a speaker; 32% said the use of violence to prevent a speech is acceptable, at least in rare cases.
• Boise State has roughly 1.03 liberal students for every one conservative student.

Boise State response

“We appreciate FIRE’s focus on the importance of free expression in higher education,” the university said in a statement. “We will consider the findings, including the student feedback reflected in the survey, as we continue our ongoing work to support a campus culture that encourages open inquiry and the free exchange of ideas.”

U of I: overall ranking, 87 of 261

U of I also ranked in the top 50 for “political tolerance.” However, the U of I received a bottom 25 ranking for “self-censorship,” indicating students frequently stay silent.

Anonymous student quotes from FIRE’s survey

A supporter of President Donald Trump wrote: “Even though the majority of the American population voted for Trump, I was attacked for voting for him by many students and called horrible things, told to commit suicide, etc.”

Another student said Idaho’s restrictive anti-abortion law has had a chilling effect of free speech. (In 2022, the U of I’s legal staff advised employees not to offer counseling on reproductive options, citing the law.) “I would like to talk more about abortion. However, it is banned to discuss this topic in my state.”

U of I results, by the numbers

• 45% of students say they have self-censored, at least once or twice a month.
• 64% of students say shouting down a speaker is acceptable, at least in rare cases; 28% of students said the use violence to prevent a speech is acceptable, at least in rare cases.
• The U of I has roughly 1.13 liberal students for every one conservative student.

U of I response

“The end of the day, we’re not Columbia,” said U of I spokeswoman Jodi Walker, referring to the Ivy League university that remains a flashpoint in the tensions over pro-Palestinian campus protests. “Our students come here to engage in their education and participate in extracurricular activities, and they’re really highly focused on that. We don’t have a highly political campus.”