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Flip on the television and images of violence in America abound. From news clips on the most recent hunt for a new serial murderer to television series such as CSI: Miami, it sometimes seems that crime is woven into the very fabric of life in the US. From Singapore, where a single rape is headline-worthy news, US crime rates seem big, scary and ugly.

At the same time, many of us yearn to cross the Atlantic or Pacific in hopes of attaining what we believe might be the best business education in the world. Therein lies the conflict: is an excellent education in a cutting edge research environment worth exposure to astronomical crime rates?

In recent years, we’ve witnessed murders at both Yale University and the University of Virginia, shootings at Ohio State University and Virginia Tech, and a never ending stream of rape cases. Despite its status as a wealthy and powerful nation, the US has an undeniably high crime rate that seeps even into the lives of b-school students.

The Daily Beast’s College Safety Rankings from 2010 looked at more than 450 residential colleges and universities in the US. Unsurprisingly, it found that many of the most dangerous campuses are located in large urban areas such as Boston, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. However, even universities in smaller towns, such as North Carolina Central University in Durham, made it into the top ten. In order of highest to lowest crime rate, The Daily Beast found that the top five most dangerous universities are Tufts University, Harvard University, Rutgers University – Newark, University of Hartford, and University of Baltimore.

On a positive note, US university campuses are cognizant of campus security issues and are taking active steps to ameliorate the issues. Advances in surveillance technology and better enforcement have certainly helped curb crime. Many campuses have their own police or security personnel and systems that include 24 hour surveillance systems, tip and hot lines, and even free night-time escort/transportation services.

Remember that you are ultimately responsible for your own safety. There are important steps you can take to decrease your chances of becoming a crime victim.

Tips to keep yourself safe:

90% of rapes occur between people who are already acquainted. Get to know your companion well before putting yourself in any potentially vulnerable situations or spending any alone time.

Limit your alcohol consumption. Parties are ubiquitous on US university campuses, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to follow the crowd and drink until your senses are impaired. Also, as there have been numerous date rape drug cases, do not accept drinks from others and never leave your drink unattended.

Trust your gut instinct. Animals have it, and so do we – a sixth sense to spot danger, that is. If a person, location, or situation feels wrong to you, it’s alright to back out and prioritize your own safety.

Use reliable locks, keys, and passwords to protect your home, vehicle, computer… You name it! Personal information such as passwords and addresses should be kept, well, personal.

Avoid walking in darkened areas, especially alone or with only other women. If you need to trek across campus at night, use the university police’s free escort service or bring along a male friend. Better safe than sorry!

Use the buddy system and communicate your schedule to your friends or family. For example, if you intend to be off campus for a couple of days, let your housemates or dorm-mates know when to expect you back.

Stay alert! Beware of the people around you and where you place your belongings.

Oh, and to answer the question of whether it’s worth it to attend b-school in the US despite the high incidences of crime… Personally, I’d never turn down a chance to expand my mind and horizons at a place like Harvard University – despite its high crime rate!