More than 235 colleges were evaluated for their LBGTQ policies and programs in Campus Pride's annual ranking.
Montclair State, Princeton and Rutgers universities are helping lead the nation in welcoming LGBTQ college students, according to a new national ranking.
Campus Pride, a national non-profit advocacy group, released its annual "Best of the Best" list Monday highlighting colleges with policies and programs that help LBGTQ -- short for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning - students and their families.
The three New Jersey schools each received five stars, the top ranking, on the list of 30 top colleges.
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Other nearby colleges on the "Best of the Best" list include Penn State, the University of Maryland, the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University.
"Prospective students and their families today expect colleges to be LGBTQ-friendly. They want to know what LGBTQ programs, services and resources are available on the campus - and which are the 'Best of the Best,'" said Shane Windmeyer, Campus Pride's executive. "Now more than ever, there are colleges that are recruiting LGBTQ youth and they are investing in a campus that is fully supportive of LGBTQ students."
The rankings are based on a survey of more than 235 colleges and universities nationwide. The schools answer more than 50 questions, including whether they have non-discrimination policies, LBGTQ student groups, special gender-inclusive housing and training for campus police on sexual orientation issues.
Two other New Jersey colleges, Rowan University and Ramapo College, participated in the survey. Both received two stars on the five-star scale, according to the Campus Pride website.
The ranking comes as colleges are under increasing scrutiny for their policies on sexual orientation and transgender students. Rowan is among those installing all-gender restrooms and implementing new policies allowing students to use whatever name they prefer.
Some colleges, including the College of New Jersey, Kean and Montclair State, revised their healthcare plans last year to offer counseling and possible sex reassignment surgery to students with gender identity disorder.
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