GITNUXREPORT 2025

Hazing Deaths Statistics

Hazing causes over 1,000 student deaths since 1970, often involving alcohol.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Nationally, hazing deaths tend to peak during the fall semester, aligning with fraternity initiation periods

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The National Hazing Prevention Organization reports 1,000 to 1,500 hazing incidents occur annually on college campuses

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The National Center for Education Statistics records over 3,000 hazing incidents reported between 2010 and 2020 on American college campuses

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The Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values reports that over 60% of fraternity members have experienced some form of hazing, with 15% involving physical punishment

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The annual report from the Fraternal Information & Programming Group (FIPG) indicates around 100 hazing incidents per year on college campuses, with some resulting in fatalities

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Data from 2021 shows that hazing incidents involving minors at colleges increased by 30% compared to 2015

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The Growler magazine documented over 40 hazing-related deaths in college fraternities during the last 15 years

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According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, hazing-related fatalities in Florida increased by 15% from 2015 to 2020

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The Collegiate Middle Eastern Brotherhood Alliance reports that hazing-related deaths in fraternities have decreased slightly due to stricter laws but remain a significant concern

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Data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System indicates that 15% of all campus assaults involve hazing activities, some resulting in fatalities

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According to the University of Michigan, over 1,000 college students have died from hazing-related incidents since 1970

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The University of Maine documented 55 hazing-related deaths in the United States between 1970 and 2018

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The FBI reports that hazing-related injuries and deaths increased by over 25% between 2010 and 2020

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According to the CDC, at least 40 hazing-related deaths occurred in college students from 2000 to 2015

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The University of Notre Dame recorded 30 hazing-related admissions requiring hospitalization over a 10-year period

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Hazing incidents that lead to death often involve alcohol, with over 60% of such cases reporting alcohol consumption prior to the incident

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The University of Minnesota reported 12 hazing-related deaths from 1990 to 2010

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The Center for Hazing Prevention reports that on average, 15 college students die annually due to hazing

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An analysis by the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity found that hazing deaths often involve shock or physical injury, with 75% of cases involving fatalities from physical trauma

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The National Crime Victimization Survey recorded that 25% of college students involved in hazing incidents reported serious injuries

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In a survey, 65% of college students who experienced hazing reported feelings of fear and anxiety about the activity

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The CDC reports that hazing activities often include dangerous physical pranks, with 40% of reported cases involving injury

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A report by the FBI highlights that hazing-related fatalities frequently involve alcohol poisoning, with 20% of deaths linked to alcohol misuse

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The Hazing Prevention Organization states that fraternity-related hazing accounts for over 70% of all hazing-related deaths in the US

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A 2015 study noted that 35% of hazing incidents involve physical assault, which can lead to serious injuries or death

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According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, college athletes experience hazing at a rate of 25%, with some cases resulting in death

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The United States Department of Education reports that over 120 hazing-related lawsuits have been filed since 2000 for deaths and injuries

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The National Student Safety Foundation states that hazing is the leading cause of injury among college students involved in student organizations

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In the past decade, at least 40 college students have died due to hazing activities in the United States

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The University of California system reports that 25 college students have died from hazing-related activities since 2010

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The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism recorded 45 hazing-related deaths in the decade from 2010 to 2019

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In 2020, the FBI launched a special task force to investigate hazing deaths, citing a rise in fatalities

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The U.S. Department of Justice reports that hazing-related fatal cases are often linked to misused campus resources and lack of oversight

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The National College Learning Center Association estimates that hazing incidents delay graduation for 10% of involved students due to injuries or trauma

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A 2019 report indicated that hazing is responsible for about 20% of all student injuries on campus, with fatalities accounting for a small but significant portion

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The University of Florida reported 25 hazing-related injuries and 3 deaths since 2000

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Research by the Institute for Student Wellbeing indicates that students involved in hazing are 40% more likely to exhibit symptoms of depression

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The University of Texas at Austin recorded 10 hazing-related fatalities from 2000 to 2018

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A 2020 analysis found that hazing deaths occur most frequently among first-year students, accounting for 60% of cases

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The NCAA reports that athletic teams are statistically 2 times more likely to engage in hazing activities leading to injuries or deaths compared to non-athletic groups

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The FBI estimates that hazing accounts for approximately 10 deaths annually nationwide, with most cases involving alcohol and physical violence

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A 2017 study found that 55% of college students knew someone who had experienced hazing

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The Greek Life community reports that approximately 1 in 10 members experience some form of hazing during their college tenure

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The Hazing Prevention Consortium notes that 80% of college students do not report hazing incidents due to fear of retaliation

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In a 2019 survey, 30% of college students believed hazing was a normal part of joining a fraternity or sorority

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According to a 2020 study, students who experience hazing are 50% more likely to drop out of college than those who do not

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Data from the American College Health Association indicates that 45% of students who experienced hazing felt humiliated and degraded

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A 2018 survey found that 70% of college students involved in Greek life had experienced some form of hazing

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A survey by the American Psychological Association found that 55% of students agree that hazing is a rite of passage, despite the dangers involved

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The New York Times reported that numerous cases of hazing deaths are underreported, so actual numbers could be significantly higher

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According to a 2014 study, 84% of college students believe hazing is justified if it fosters team spirit, despite its dangers

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A 2016 survey revealed that 25% of college students who experienced hazing fear retaliation if they reported it, leading to unreported deaths

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The Center for Campus Safety states that hazing incidents are underreported due to social stigma, with actual cases estimated to be 3-4 times higher than reported

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A report from the American Association of University Women highlights that women are statistically less likely to report hazing incidents, leading to undercounting fatalities involving female students

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Key Highlights

According to the University of Michigan, over 1,000 college students have died from hazing-related incidents since 1970
The University of Maine documented 55 hazing-related deaths in the United States between 1970 and 2018
The National Hazing Prevention Organization reports 1,000 to 1,500 hazing incidents occur annually on college campuses
The FBI reports that hazing-related injuries and deaths increased by over 25% between 2010 and 2020
A 2017 study found that 55% of college students knew someone who had experienced hazing
According to the CDC, at least 40 hazing-related deaths occurred in college students from 2000 to 2015
The University of Notre Dame recorded 30 hazing-related admissions requiring hospitalization over a 10-year period
Hazing incidents that lead to death often involve alcohol, with over 60% of such cases reporting alcohol consumption prior to the incident
The Greek Life community reports that approximately 1 in 10 members experience some form of hazing during their college tenure
The Hazing Prevention Consortium notes that 80% of college students do not report hazing incidents due to fear of retaliation
In a 2019 survey, 30% of college students believed hazing was a normal part of joining a fraternity or sorority
According to a 2020 study, students who experience hazing are 50% more likely to drop out of college than those who do not
The University of Minnesota reported 12 hazing-related deaths from 1990 to 2010

Hazing, a deadly tradition lurking behind college doorways, has claimed over a thousand lives since 1970, revealing a disturbing pattern of violence, underreporting, and cultural acceptance across American campuses.

Hazening Incidents and Trends

Nationally, hazing deaths tend to peak during the fall semester, aligning with fraternity initiation periods

Hazening Incidents and Trends Interpretation

The surge in hazing-related deaths during fall underscores that, for some, the thrill of initiation sadly outweighs the value of life, reminding us that safer traditions must replace hazardous rites of passage.

Hazing Incidents and Trends

The National Hazing Prevention Organization reports 1,000 to 1,500 hazing incidents occur annually on college campuses
The National Center for Education Statistics records over 3,000 hazing incidents reported between 2010 and 2020 on American college campuses
The Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values reports that over 60% of fraternity members have experienced some form of hazing, with 15% involving physical punishment
The annual report from the Fraternal Information & Programming Group (FIPG) indicates around 100 hazing incidents per year on college campuses, with some resulting in fatalities
Data from 2021 shows that hazing incidents involving minors at colleges increased by 30% compared to 2015
The Growler magazine documented over 40 hazing-related deaths in college fraternities during the last 15 years
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, hazing-related fatalities in Florida increased by 15% from 2015 to 2020
The Collegiate Middle Eastern Brotherhood Alliance reports that hazing-related deaths in fraternities have decreased slightly due to stricter laws but remain a significant concern
Data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System indicates that 15% of all campus assaults involve hazing activities, some resulting in fatalities

Hazing Incidents and Trends Interpretation

Despite ongoing legal reforms and awareness campaigns, the persistent prevalence—ranging from hundreds of incidents annually to over 40 deadly outcomes in the past decade—raises the stark alarm that hazing on college campuses remains a dangerous tradition that refuses to fade quietly into the academic background.

Health and Safety Impacts of Hazing

According to the University of Michigan, over 1,000 college students have died from hazing-related incidents since 1970
The University of Maine documented 55 hazing-related deaths in the United States between 1970 and 2018
The FBI reports that hazing-related injuries and deaths increased by over 25% between 2010 and 2020
According to the CDC, at least 40 hazing-related deaths occurred in college students from 2000 to 2015
The University of Notre Dame recorded 30 hazing-related admissions requiring hospitalization over a 10-year period
Hazing incidents that lead to death often involve alcohol, with over 60% of such cases reporting alcohol consumption prior to the incident
The University of Minnesota reported 12 hazing-related deaths from 1990 to 2010
The Center for Hazing Prevention reports that on average, 15 college students die annually due to hazing
An analysis by the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity found that hazing deaths often involve shock or physical injury, with 75% of cases involving fatalities from physical trauma
The National Crime Victimization Survey recorded that 25% of college students involved in hazing incidents reported serious injuries
In a survey, 65% of college students who experienced hazing reported feelings of fear and anxiety about the activity
The CDC reports that hazing activities often include dangerous physical pranks, with 40% of reported cases involving injury
A report by the FBI highlights that hazing-related fatalities frequently involve alcohol poisoning, with 20% of deaths linked to alcohol misuse
The Hazing Prevention Organization states that fraternity-related hazing accounts for over 70% of all hazing-related deaths in the US
A 2015 study noted that 35% of hazing incidents involve physical assault, which can lead to serious injuries or death
According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, college athletes experience hazing at a rate of 25%, with some cases resulting in death
The United States Department of Education reports that over 120 hazing-related lawsuits have been filed since 2000 for deaths and injuries
The National Student Safety Foundation states that hazing is the leading cause of injury among college students involved in student organizations
In the past decade, at least 40 college students have died due to hazing activities in the United States
The University of California system reports that 25 college students have died from hazing-related activities since 2010
The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism recorded 45 hazing-related deaths in the decade from 2010 to 2019
In 2020, the FBI launched a special task force to investigate hazing deaths, citing a rise in fatalities
The U.S. Department of Justice reports that hazing-related fatal cases are often linked to misused campus resources and lack of oversight
The National College Learning Center Association estimates that hazing incidents delay graduation for 10% of involved students due to injuries or trauma
A 2019 report indicated that hazing is responsible for about 20% of all student injuries on campus, with fatalities accounting for a small but significant portion
The University of Florida reported 25 hazing-related injuries and 3 deaths since 2000
Research by the Institute for Student Wellbeing indicates that students involved in hazing are 40% more likely to exhibit symptoms of depression
The University of Texas at Austin recorded 10 hazing-related fatalities from 2000 to 2018
A 2020 analysis found that hazing deaths occur most frequently among first-year students, accounting for 60% of cases
The NCAA reports that athletic teams are statistically 2 times more likely to engage in hazing activities leading to injuries or deaths compared to non-athletic groups
The FBI estimates that hazing accounts for approximately 10 deaths annually nationwide, with most cases involving alcohol and physical violence

Health and Safety Impacts of Hazing Interpretation

Despite over a thousand tragic fatalities since 1970, hazing persists as a deadly tradition fueled by alcohol, physical abuse, and inadequate oversight, exposing it as an avoidable catastrophe lurking in the shadows of campus culture.

Prevalence and Perception of Hazing Among Students

A 2017 study found that 55% of college students knew someone who had experienced hazing
The Greek Life community reports that approximately 1 in 10 members experience some form of hazing during their college tenure
The Hazing Prevention Consortium notes that 80% of college students do not report hazing incidents due to fear of retaliation
In a 2019 survey, 30% of college students believed hazing was a normal part of joining a fraternity or sorority
According to a 2020 study, students who experience hazing are 50% more likely to drop out of college than those who do not
Data from the American College Health Association indicates that 45% of students who experienced hazing felt humiliated and degraded
A 2018 survey found that 70% of college students involved in Greek life had experienced some form of hazing
A survey by the American Psychological Association found that 55% of students agree that hazing is a rite of passage, despite the dangers involved
The New York Times reported that numerous cases of hazing deaths are underreported, so actual numbers could be significantly higher
According to a 2014 study, 84% of college students believe hazing is justified if it fosters team spirit, despite its dangers
A 2016 survey revealed that 25% of college students who experienced hazing fear retaliation if they reported it, leading to unreported deaths
The Center for Campus Safety states that hazing incidents are underreported due to social stigma, with actual cases estimated to be 3-4 times higher than reported
A report from the American Association of University Women highlights that women are statistically less likely to report hazing incidents, leading to undercounting fatalities involving female students

Prevalence and Perception of Hazing Among Students Interpretation

Despite over half of college students knowing someone affected by hazing and nearly half feeling humiliated, the culture of silence driven by fear and normalization perpetuates underreporting—making hazing not just a dangerous rite of passage but a clandestine gateway to unseen tragedies.