Frequently Asked Questions
How PlainCampus uses Clery Act data, calculates its comparison score, and frames its limits.
What is the Clery Act?
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) is a federal law requiring colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to disclose campus crime statistics and security information annually. It is named after Jeanne Clery, a Lehigh University student murdered in her dorm room in 1986.
How does PlainCampus calculate safety scores?
Safety scores divide on-campus Criminal Offenses and VAWA reports by enrollment, expressed per 1,000 students. They exclude arrests, disciplinary referrals, fire records, and off-campus reports. This adjusts for enrollment size, not time spent on campus, so online, commuter, and residential mix still matter.
Why does a large university have a higher safety score than a small college?
Safety scores are normalized per 1,000 enrolled students, so enrollment size alone should not be the main driver. A higher score means more included reports relative to enrollment, not necessarily greater personal risk. Reporting practices, campus geography, and online, commuter, or residential mix can all affect the result.
Does a low crime count mean a school is safe?
Not necessarily. A low reported crime count could reflect genuine safety, limited on-campus residential life (fewer people living on campus means less exposure), or underreporting. Clery only covers crimes reported to campus security or local law enforcement, unreported incidents are not captured.
What crime categories does Clery data cover?
Clery-reportable crimes include: murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson. VAWA offenses: dating violence, domestic violence, stalking. Arrests and disciplinary referrals for drug, liquor, and weapons violations.
How current is the campus safety data?
The Department of Education releases new OPE Campus Safety Survey data annually. Crime statistics are typically reported with a 1–2 year lag. For example, the 2025 collection covers calendar years 2022-2024; we publish the newest score year as soon as the federal pack lands. We update PlainCampus when new annual data is published.
Is PlainCampus affiliated with the Department of Education?
No. PlainCampus is an independent data portal presenting publicly available federal data. We are not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education, the OPE, or any university.