Jewish students across several Midwestern campuses are seeing something new this year: better grades.
The Anti-Defamation League’s latest Campus Antisemitism Report Card evaluates universities on policies, campus climate and the strength of Jewish life on campus as schools face continued pressure to address antisemitism.
This year’s report examined 150 colleges and universities across the country using 32 criteria that measure administrative policies, campus conduct and the strength of Jewish life on campus
In Missouri, Washington University earned an A in the 2026 report, moving up from a B last year and placing it among the top universities in the country for efforts to combat antisemitism and support Jewish students.
“The Campus Antisemitism Report Card reflects both schools’ clear and ongoing commitment to protecting Jewish students and fostering a campus environment where they can feel safe and supported,” said Jordan Kadosh, regional director of ADL Heartland. “Washington University has been a great partner in the fight against antisemitism, and no school is more deserving of an A grade.”
📊 Story in 4 points
• Local highlight: Washington University improved from a B to an A in the ADL report.
• New entry: The University of Missouri received a B in its first appearance.
• Midwest shifts: Several universities improved their grades after policy changes.
• National trend: 58% of schools now receive an A or B, up sharply from previous years.
A new campus scorecard
Another Missouri campus appeared on the list for the first time.
The University of Missouri received a B in its debut on the report card, joining a growing group of Midwestern universities now evaluated annually by the ADL.
Across the Midwest, the results show a mixed but improving picture.
Indiana University improved from a C in 2024 to a B this year, while Purdue University maintained an A rating. Notre Dame remained at a C.
In Illinois, several campuses climbed out of failing territory.
DePaul University rose from an F in 2024 and 2025 to a C this year. Northwestern University improved from an F to a C, while the University of Chicago also moved from an F to a C.
The University of Illinois at Chicago jumped from an F last year to a C, while the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign slipped from a C to a D.
The University of Kansas held steady with a B.
Gradual changes, then sudden shifts
Nationally, the ADL found that 58% of schools now receive an A or B grade, up from 41% last year and 23.5% two years ago. Nearly 47% of the schools assessed improved their grade compared with the previous year.
But the report also points to a more stubborn reality.
A separate ADL survey found that nearly half of non-Jewish college students reported witnessing or experiencing anti-Jewish behavior in the past year, even as universities improved their formal policies and procedures.
A new factor in choosing a college
For families comparing campuses, the report card has quietly become another line on the college checklist.
For some students, those choices have already led them to St. Louis.
Since the Oct. 7 attacks, Washington University has quietly opened a pathway for students to transfer midyear from other colleges. About 20 students have used the option so far, including several Jewish students who said they were leaving campuses where antisemitism had made them uncomfortable.
