Some Schools Improved in Protecting Jewish Students While Many Still Failing, Finds ADL’s Campus Report Card

New York, NY, March 3, 2025 — ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) gave 36 percent of schools an A or B in its 2025 Campus Antisemitism Report Card, up from 23.5 percent in 2024. The updated evaluation of how U.S. colleges and universities are addressing antisemitism assessed 135 schools—50 more than last year—using 30 evaluation criteria to assign letter grades from A to F.

Additional Key Findings: 

• 21 percent of schools received a D, and 9.6 percent received an F.
   
• 45 percent of previously graded schools improved, while only 9 percent declined. 
   
• Notable changes: CUNY Queens College, Georgetown University, Harvard University, Michigan State University, SUNY Purchase College, SUNY Rockland Community College, Tufts University, University of Michigan, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and Vanderbilt University all moved up two grades. 
   
• Top-performing schools (A Grades): Brandeis University, CUNY Queens College, CUNY Brooklyn College, Elon University, Florida International University, University of Alabama, University of Miami and Vanderbilt University. 
   
• Failing schools (F Grades): California Polytechnic State University, DePaul University, Evergreen State College, Haverford College, Loyola University New Orleans, Pitzer College, Pomona College, Portland State University, Scripps College, The New School, University of California Santa Barbara, University of Illinois Chicago and University of Minnesota. 

“I said it last year and I’ll say it again: every single campus should get an ‘A’, this isn’t a high bar – this should be the standard,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “While many campuses have improved in ways that are encouraging and commendable, Jewish students still do not feel safe or included on too many campuses. The progress we’ve seen is evidence that change is possible – all university leaders should focus on addressing these very real challenges with real action.” 

Why Are Some Schools Improving? 

More than 50 percent of the schools assessed in 2024 have enacted major policy changes in response to rising campus antisemitism; almost all have revised their demonstration policies.

Universities that strengthen and consistently enforce policies, mandate antisemitism education, and improve bias reporting have seen the most progress. 

“The improvement on campus is largely due to new administrative initiatives implemented in response to the campus antisemitism crisis,” said Shira Goodman, ADL VP of Advocacy. “We’re glad that improving the campus climate for Jewish students was a priority for many of these schools, and we hope all colleges and universities understand the importance of developing and enforcing strong policies and procedures to create a safe and welcoming environment for Jewish students and all students.” 

A recent ADL survey conducted with partners found 83 percent of Jewish college students experienced or witnessed antisemitism since the Oct. 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, and that 66 percent of Jewish students were not confident in their university’s ability to prevent antisemitic incidents. 

New Features & Resources 

ADL’s 2025 Campus Antisemitism Report Card not only assesses campuses, it also provides tools to empower stakeholders and hold universities accountable. 

• Expanded School Evaluations – This year’s report covers 135 schools, up from 85 in 2024, expanding the analysis to more institutions with significant Jewish student populations as well as schools of particular concern and those viewed as exemplary in combating antisemitism. 
   
• Enhanced Evaluation Criteria – The 30-point grading system categorizes schools’ responses into three critical areas:
   
  • Administrative Action & Policies – Examines institutional responses and policy changes.
     
  • Campus Conduct & Climate Concerns – Measures the prevalence of antisemitic incidents, protests, and anti-Zionist groups on campus.
     
  • Jewish Life on Campus – Assesses the support, inclusion, and safety of Jewish members of the campus community through campus organizations and cultural engagement. 
     
• Qualitative Analysis – Beyond hard metrics, the 2025 Report Card incorporates qualitative assessments, evaluating how well universities enforce policies, engage Jewish communities, and respond to real-world incidents—capturing factors that raw data alone might miss. 
   
• Not On My Campus Campaign – The Report Card is a key part of ADL’s work urging colleges and universities to commit to no tolerance for antisemitism. Launched in response to the surge in antisemitic incidents after October 7, 2023, this campaign provides:
   
  • Digital advocacy tools to help students, parents, and alumni pressure school leadership to take action. 
     
  • Policy recommendations and best practices to guide universities in strengthening their efforts to combat antisemitism. 
     
  • A framework for ongoing accountability, ensuring that institutions remain under scrutiny beyond the report’s release. 

The Campus Antisemitism Report Card is a project of the ADL Ronald Birnbaum Center to Combat Antisemitism in Education (CCAE) and the recently launched Ratings and Assessments Institute (RAI). 

ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.