Data from the U.S. Department of Education shows that more than 45,000 people reported being raped or sexually assaulted at colleges and universities between 2019 and 2024. A CBS News analysis found that more than 80% of the largest four-year institutions reported at least two incidents of rape or fondling annually during this period.
These figures are compiled under the Jeane Clery Act, which requires schools to disclose crime statistics for on-campus and some off-campus locations. However, researchers and advocates suggest these numbers undercount the actual frequency of sexual violence. Surveys indicate that while approximately one in five undergraduate students report experiencing sexual violence, the majority of these incidents are never officially reported to campus authorities.
At Cornell University, federal data recorded 238 incidents over the six-year period, averaging eight incidents per 5,000 students each year. This is double the average rate of four incidents per 5,000 students across all large schools. Cornell President Michael I. Kotlikoff stated on September 29 that of the cases involving an October 2024 allegation, two students were expelled and two were suspended. New York state data shows that between 2019 and 2024, only 3% of cases initially reported to the state's colleges resulted in expulsion or dismissal.
Students may notice concrete changes in how their schools manage safety and reporting. Research identifies a "red zone"—a period of heightened risk primarily during the freshman year—often linked to campus parties, alcohol access, and social vulnerability. A person attending a large university might find that while their school reports only a few incidents annually, confidential surveys suggest a much higher prevalence. Some institutions, such as the University of California system, have responded by installing confidential advocates to help students navigate the "dizzying constellation" of decisions following an assault, including whether to pursue a Title IX investigation or criminal charges.
The reporting trends also impact how universities manage public relations and resource allocation. Corey Rayburn Yung, a law professor at the University of Kansas, noted that rape reports at audited universities rose by 44% during compliance checks before declining again, suggesting that official numbers may fluctuate based on administrative oversight. Moving forward, the effectiveness of campus safety policies will depend on how schools address barriers to reporting, such as a lack of student knowledge about Title IX offices or fear that reports will not be taken seriously. Future dates for federal audits or changes to Clery Act training requirements were not reported.