College Safety: Complete Guide for Students and Parents

College campuses tend to be fairly safe, with fewer than 20 crime incidents reported per 10,000 full-time students in 2018 (the most current year for which data is available).¹ But that doesn’t mean you should leave safety and security basics at home with your parents and high school trophies.

Make sure you’re using your brain power for studying instead of crime-fighting with this comprehensive guide to college safety. Being proactive now can prevent a lot of stress (for you and Mom and Dad) later.

To give you the best college safety tips, we shared insights from our experts throughout this guide.

Dr. Ben Stickle

PhD, Criminal Justice and Theft Expert

Pete Canavan

IT Security and Personal Safety Expert

You shouldn’t just rely on campus police and security for campus safety. Here are a few safety must-haves for every college student—plus some bonus resources to help you dodge potential trouble.

• Create a campus emergency contact. Save the emergency phone or text number for your campus police department in your phone and make it a favorite so it’s easy to call for help in an emergency.
• Look for on-campus emergency help. Most universities have Blue Light Telephones placed around campus for emergency help. Find them, learn how they work, and take routes that keep you close to one.
• Sign up for notifications. If your school has a mass notification system (usually through text, push notifications, or email), make sure you sign up and adjust your privacy settings to let these important messages get through. These systems can send emergency notifications about extreme weather events or serious situations like an active shooter.
• Learn the layout of your campus. Keep an eye out for areas with little or no lighting, limited visibility, and other tricky spots that you’ll want to avoid after dark. Don’t head out to an unknown area for the first time by yourself or after sunset.

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College is often the first time when we’re the grown-ups in the house. We can’t rely on parents or other adults to make sure we’re locking doors and taking other college safety precautions. Up your college safety game with these in-depth resources:

• Reinforce or upgrade locks. Ask your Resident Assistant (RA) or landlord to make sure you’re not violating a lease or other agreement before swapping out or adding a lock.
• Protect your personal valuables in a safe or add a security latch to drawers and closets. If you want to see who’s sneaking your sweaters, add a security cam or motion sensor with mobile alerts.
• Check batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It’s now up to you to make sure these life-saving devices are in working order. If you live with roomies, add a battery check to a list of quarterly chores and give everyone a turn.

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Odds are you’ll find yourself in unfamiliar places as you dive into your college experience. This is the perfect time to hone your personal safety skills and start turning best practices into lifelong habits. Here are a few basics to get you started; explore our resources for more in-depth tips and tactics.

• Don’t go it alone. One of the great things about college is you get the chance to make friends. Another great thing is there’s safety in numbers. Buddy up when you’re walking across campus late at night or checking out all the social events around town.
• Keep your head up. It’s tempting to give your phone most of your attention when you’re moving around campus. Resist! Walk with your head up (not buried in a device), use a confident stride, and if you must use earbuds, keep at least one ear free to listen for sounds around you while you travel.
• Use mobile tech if you need help. Using your phone isn’t always a bad idea. There are a lot of free apps and online resources available that you can use in emergency situations. Many of these apps (like Noonlight) act like a remote panic button and can instantly connect you to emergency help.
• Secure bikes and vehicles. It’s important to lock up your car and secure your ride (bike, board, scooter, etc.) with a quality lock. But you also need to pay attention to where you park them. Only leave your car or bike in well-lit areas, and be prepared as you approach. Have your keys out and ready to go so you can’t be surprised while fumbling to find them.

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One thing you won’t leave behind when you head off to university is the internet. Your online life will likely be more active than ever, so it’s a good time to brush up on basic online safety.

• Be careful with public Wi-Fi. In fact, avoid it altogether if you can. Public networks are the most vulnerable to hacking and if you’re on one, that means your devices are also vulnerable. If you must use public Wi-Fi, get a virtual private network (VPN) connection to help hide you from hackers.

• Secure your personal Wi-Fi: If you set up your own network at an apartment or dorm, be sure to secure the network with a strong password, unique (not humorous or tempting) network name, and updated encryption and firewall technology.
• Beware before you share: You don’t want to be that person, but there’s good reason to be picky about who you share your Wi-Fi network or even your Netflix account credentials with. Every new user or device is another potential vulnerability. Be stingy with your online info and if you do share it, make sure to change it soon after.
• Slow your online shopping roll. We get it. You’re the captain, now—at least when it comes to paying your bills and making the most of Prime Day. But before you make it rain, now is the ideal time to build healthy online financial habits. First of all, don’t do any financial transactions (that includes checking your balance to cover the night’s tab) on public Wi-Fi.

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As we noted earlier, college campuses aren’t rife with crime, but they’re not immune either. Here are some key takeaways from a chat with our criminal justice expert, Dr. Ben Stickle, who also happens to be a university professor.

If you’re choosing a university, you may want to review their annual security report. Every college in the US is required by the Clery Act to post a report/review of all crimes occurring on and nearby the campus. This report is usually found on the campus safety or campus police website.

But these reports only include crimes reported to the university, so these crime statistics may be incomplete. Among crimes that may be underreported are sexual assault, sexual misconduct, and alcohol-related incidents. However, campus safety reports can be used to understand the frequency and type of crimes that occur within a campus community. This can help you make an informed decision as you choose a university.

Campus boundaries can change quickly, and you should be aware of your surroundings. Many times, a campus is safer than the surrounding communities. It’s easy for students to lower their guard while on campus and forget to be on guard as they move off campus.

It’s also smart to learn the jurisdiction of the campus police versus local enforcement. Many colleges have agreements with city and county law enforcement to work together, but sometimes you may need to make a report to a different agency or public safety officer than you expected.

It’s common to leave your laptop or backpack behind when you run to the restroom, or throw your keys down to reserve a table, but these habits are risky. While your campus may be very safe, a phone, computer, ID, backpack, or textbooks left unattended on a table or chair can be an easy target for theft.

Vehicles are prime targets on college campuses. Whether it’s theft from inside (such as a phone, backpack, or other valuable), theft of parts (such as a pickup tailgate or catalytic converter), or theft of the entire vehicle, here’s how to reduce your exposure:

• Be sure you lock your vehicle at all times and keep valuables out of sight.
• Try to park in high-traffic areas where your car is visible to people as they pass by.
• Look for areas where there is good lighting at night.

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1. National Center for Education Statistics, “Criminal Incidents at Postsecondary Institutions,” May 2021. Accessed August 2, 2021.