Stacker Lists 50 Most Conservative US Colleges in 2026 Rankings

Nearly half of Americans perceive higher education as biased toward liberal ideals, with a September 2025 Vanderbilt University poll showing 43% agreement that colleges favor left-leaning viewpoints over conservative ones. This perception spurred right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk to create the "Professor Watchlist," an online platform listing professors believed to align with liberal causes; its use surged following Kirk's death at Utah Valley University, a conservative college, during a political event in September 2025. Conservative colleges in the U.S. often have religious affiliations, strong conservative ideologies, or ties to conservative politicians and are sometimes influenced by their communities or historical conservatism. Stacker compiled a list of the 50 most conservative colleges based on Niche's 2026 rankings, which derive from student reviews reflecting the schools' campus political climates. These rankings consider reviewers' political leanings and their experiences at the schools, highlighting the diversity of conservative educational institutions in America. The list provides insight into the landscape of conservatism within higher education across the country.