Ibrahim Gardner
The percentage of university students who identify as gay varies across different universities and demographic groups. According to a 2021 article, almost 40% of students at liberal arts colleges identify as LGBTQ, with even higher percentages at women's colleges like Wellesley (61%) and Smith (70%). These numbers are significantly higher than the national average of 7.1% of Americans identifying as LGBTQ, as reported in a February 2022 Gallup poll. In 2020, a survey of 180,000 undergraduate and graduate students found that nearly 17% identified as LGBTQ, with 1.7% identifying as transgender or non-binary. Additionally, 11.1% of LGBTQ individuals aged 18-40 reported attending graduate school, with about half of them enrolled in public universities. While the data suggests a growing presence of LGBTQ students in higher education, it's important to recognize that LGBTQ students may face challenges related to mental health, bullying, and harassment during their college experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of LGBTQ people aged 18-40 who attended graduate school | 11.1% |
| Percentage of LGBTQ people who attended college | 25.8% |
| Percentage of LGBTQ people who completed their bachelor's degree | 55.9% |
| Percentage of Gen Z adults in the US identifying as LGBTQ | 20.8% |
| Percentage of Americans identifying as LGBTQ | 7.1% |
| Percentage of students identifying as LGBTQ at liberal arts colleges | 40% |
| Percentage of students identifying as LGBTQ at colleges with the highest LGBTQ population | 51-70% |
| Percentage of students identifying as LGBTQ at colleges with the lowest LGBTQ population | 10-15% |
| Percentage of students identifying as gay or bisexual | 12% |
| Percentage of men identifying as homosexual | 11% |
| Percentage of women identifying as homosexual | 2% |
| Percentage of men identifying as bisexual | 5% |
| Percentage of women identifying as bisexual | 7% |
| Percentage of undergraduate and graduate students identifying as LGBTQ | 17% |
| Percentage of the population aged 18 or older identifying as gay or lesbian | 2.9% |
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What You'll Learn
LGBTQ+ students at liberal arts colleges
According to a 2022 report by the Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology, a center-right think tank, almost 40% of students at liberal arts colleges identify as LGBTQ+. This is significantly higher than the national average of 7.1% of Americans who identified as LGBTQ+ in a February 2022 Gallup poll.
The report found that a majority of students at three out of 159 campuses identified as LGBTQ+: 51% at Oberlin, 61% at Wellesley, and 70% at Smith College, the latter two being women's colleges. This trend towards LGBTQ+ identification among young people has seen a threefold increase since 2008 and is not limited to university students.
Liberal arts colleges, known for their small size and focus on humanities and social sciences, have a reputation for being more accepting and open-minded than larger universities. This may be one reason why LGBTQ+ people are four times more likely to choose a college away from home. Additionally, colleges with more liberal and female demographics are likely to have higher LGBTQ+ student populations.
However, it is important to recognize that discrimination and prejudice still exist, and educational institutions should continue to prioritize diversity and inclusivity. Initiatives like the Campus Pride Index, which recognizes LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities, and the Campus Pride National College Fair Program, which helps LGBTQ+ students prepare for post-secondary education, are working to create safer and more welcoming environments for LGBTQ+ students.
While progress has been made, there is still room for improvement to ensure that all LGBTQ+ students feel accepted and able to succeed in higher education.
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LGBTQ+ students' experiences at four-year colleges
While it is unclear what percentage of university students worldwide identify as gay, a 2024 US Household Pulse Survey found that 2.9% of Americans aged 18 or older identified as gay or lesbian. Another source states that 7.1% of Americans identify as LGBT, according to a Gallup poll from February 2022.
In the US, LGBTQ+ students face unique challenges and considerations when attending four-year colleges. According to the Williams Institute, LGBTQ+ students are four times more likely than their non-LGBTQ+ peers to choose a college away from home, often seeking a more welcoming environment. This is reflected in the higher proportion of LGBTQ+ students at certain colleges, with almost 40% of students identifying as LGBTQ+ at some liberal arts colleges. For example, 51% at Oberlin, 61% at Wellesley, and 70% at Smith College.
LGBTQ+ students are more likely to experience poor mental health, bullying, and harassment during their time at college. One-third reported that their mental health was not good all or most of the time, compared to 10.8% of non-LGBTQ+ students. Nearly one-third (32.6%) experienced bullying, harassment, or assault, compared to 18.9% of non-LGBTQ+ students. LGBTQ+ students also reported feeling less of a sense of belonging at college, with 71.9% compared to 83.5% of non-LGBTQ+ students.
In terms of resources, gender-neutral bathrooms were reported by 44.4% of LGBTQ+ students and 20.9% of non-LGBTQ+ students. Only 25% of LGBTQ+ students and 11% of non-LGBTQ+ students reported a policy of allowing transgender students to change their gender designation on program records. Less than a third (29.3%) of LGBTQ+ students and less than one-fifth (17.5%) of non-LGBTQ+ students reported having gender-inclusive housing.
Despite these challenges, four-year colleges provide an important stepping stone for LGBTQ+ students. Higher levels of education are associated with higher rates of employment and greater economic stability. Additionally, two in five LGBTQ+ students reported aspirations for further education, such as a graduate degree.
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LGBTQ+ students' mental health
While there are no specific statistics on the percentage of university students who identify as gay, a few sources note that almost 40% of students at liberal arts colleges identify as LGBTQ+. This is higher than the national average of 7.1% of Americans identifying as LGBTQ+ as of February 2022. According to the September 2024 Household Pulse Survey, 8.3% of the population aged 18 or older identified as LGBT, with 2.9% identifying as gay or lesbian.
LGBTQ+ students face distinct health disparities, especially concerning mental health and well-being. They are four times more likely than non-LGBTQ+ students to experience poor mental health, bullying, and harassment. The COVID-19 pandemic has also created unique challenges for LGBTQ+ students, with many losing access to support systems when schools switched to virtual learning.
The proliferation of anti-LGBTQ+ bills and political attacks on LGBTQ+ students has further intensified mental health issues among this community. According to the Trevor Project, nearly half of LGBTQ+ youth, including more than half of trans youth, seriously considered suicide in the last year. The situation is even more dire for students of color, with around one in five Black LGBTQ+ students and a slightly higher rate of Indigenous LGBTQ+ students attempting suicide.
To support the mental health of LGBTQ+ students, educators can create affirming spaces and use inclusive language. Providing access to safe spaces, events, and LGBTQ-positive curriculum can also help. Additionally, ensuring effective referrals to mental health services and maintaining wellbeing support within educational institutions are crucial.
While LGBTQ+ students in higher education face higher risks of mental health challenges, their well-being tends to improve over the course of their studies. This underscores the importance of creating supportive learning environments that address the specific mental health needs of this student population.
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LGBTQ+ students at women's colleges
While there is limited data on the percentage of university students who identify as LGBTQ+, a 2022 Gallup poll placed the national average at 7.1% of Americans. However, a report by the Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology found that almost 40% of students at liberal arts colleges identify as LGBTQ+. This figure is reflected in the student populations of three colleges: Oberlin (51%), Wellesley (61%), and Smith (70%), the latter two of which are women's colleges.
Women's colleges have historically been a place of acceptance for LGBTQ+ students. Smith College, for example, has a reputation for welcoming gay and gender nonconforming students, which is reflected in its policy on transgender admissions. The college's admission policy states that any person who self-identifies as a woman may apply. Similarly, Alverno College admits "students who live and identify as female regardless of biological sex" and students assigned female at birth "who identify as non-binary or gender non-conforming." Barnard College also accepts applicants "who consistently live and identify as women, regardless of the gender assigned to them at birth."
Despite the existence of LGBTQ+-friendly women's colleges, LGBTQ+ students are still more likely than their non-LGBTQ+ peers to experience poor mental health, bullying, and harassment. They are also four times more likely to choose a college away from home. To address these challenges, organisations like Campus Pride have created resources to help LGBTQ+ students find inclusive campuses. The Campus Pride Index is a free online tool that allows prospective students to search a database of LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities. The organisation also provides support for LGBTQ+ young adults entering the workplace through its National LGBTQ-Friendly Job and Career Fair Program and a free job board.
In addition to these resources, some colleges have taken steps to create more inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ students. Bowdoin College, for example, has a Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity that provides support for LGBTQ+ students and actively welcomes questioning and straight populations. Vassar College encourages dialogue about issues affecting its campus LGBTQ community and sponsors over 300 events each year for students, including LGBTQ movie nights and drag queen and king shows.
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LGBTQ+ students' international experiences
While there is no exact number of LGBTQIA+-identifying students in higher education, estimates range from 17% of undergraduates in the USA (American Association of Colleges and Universities [AAC&U], 2020) to 29% of the 2021 incoming class at Harvard (Koller & Yan, 2021). In a Gallup poll from February 2022, the national average of Americans identifying as LGBT was 7.1%. However, almost 40% of students at liberal arts colleges identified as LGBTQ+, according to a report by the Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology. At women's colleges, the percentage was even higher, with 51% at Oberlin, 61% at Wellesley, and 70% at Smith College.
Research over the past decade shows that LGBTQ+ students have been chronically under-supported in international education. Recent attacks on LGBTQ+ rights across the world have further threatened the social, political, and academic well-being of these students. However, higher education researchers are increasingly giving attention to LGBTQ+ issues, including the complex and intersectional identities of university students, and how LGBTQ+ staff can serve as role models and support students.
LGBTQ+ students interested in studying abroad should be aware that LGBTQ+ rights and levels of discrimination vary greatly around the world. However, there are still plenty of LGBTQ+-friendly countries that are welcoming and embracing. For example, South Africa was the first country to make discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal, and it is the only country in Africa where same-sex marriage is legal. Belgium was also one of the earliest countries to recognize same-sex marriage, and it had the modern world's first openly gay Prime Minister.
There are a few things to keep in mind when considering studying abroad as an LGBTQ+ student. Firstly, it is important to thoroughly research the overseas destinations that most interest you and understand the potential limitations and prejudices that you may experience. Secondly, while there are very few broad LGBTQ+ scholarship schemes, individual universities sometimes have their own financial support programs in place, so it is worth talking to the university admissions team to see what you may be eligible for. Lastly, studying abroad can offer the chance to experience some of the world's best pride festivals, which are an important celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
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Frequently asked questions
According to a 2021 article, almost 40% of students at liberal arts colleges identify as LGBTQ. This is much higher than the national average of 7.1% of Americans who identified as LGBTQ in a February 2022 Gallup poll. A 2020 survey of 180,000 undergraduate and graduate students found that 17% identified as LGBTQ.
Yes, three out of 159 campuses reported a majority of LGBTQ students: 51% at Oberlin, 61% at Wellesley, and 70% at Smith College.
Yes, LGBTQ students are four times more likely to pick a university in a different city or state to seek a more welcoming climate.
