University of Tennessee

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- What we defend
- Have your rights been violated?
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  Across the nation, free speech rights are under attack. Join us in defending this essential quality of liberty. Make your voice heard and join a campaign.
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- Resources
- College Free Speech Rankings
  Presented by FIREand College Pulse, the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings is the largest survey of campus free expression ever performed.
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- National Speech Index
  The National Speech Index is a new quarterly component of America’s Political Pulse, an ongoing weekly survey that will allow researchers to track shifting free speech sentiment in America over time.
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University of Tennessee

Public University

Knoxville, Tennessee

Free Speech Rankings

We use real student experiences, university policies, and speech controversies to annually determine the free speech rankings. This year FIREranked 257 U.S. colleges and universities and College Pulse surveyed more than 68,000 students.

Campus Speech Climate

Overall Score out of 100 67.40
Overall Ranking out of 257 36
Speech Climate Grade D+

Student Perceptions Rankings (out of 257 schools)

Openness 182
Administrative Support 24
Comfort Expressing Ideas 195
Disruptive Conduct 130
Self-Censorship 207
Political Tolerance 126

Campus Speech Policies

Spotlight Rating Green

Speech Controversies

Deplatformings 0
Scholars Under Fire 1
FIRE Under Fire 1
Honor Roll Statements 1

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