The article presents the results of a sociological study that examined the regional features of the prevention of terrorism in educational institutions. As part of the study, a questionnaire and a series of in-depth interviews were conducted among students of leading universities in Yaroslavl, and a survey of positional experts (FSB, Ministry of internal affairs) was conducted. In addition, a secondary analysis of data from the judicial department of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, the Federal state statistics service of Russia, and the Prosecutor General's office of the Russian Federation was carried out. It is revealed that the law enforcement agencies in the city and the security system in universities, schools and kindergartens can effectively ensure security in Yaroslavl. The universities have a plan that defines the procedure for carrying out early and urgent evacuation. Video surveillance and round-the-clock video recording are constantly conducted, and access control is organized in the educational buildings. Periodically, there is a readiness check (there is a sound signal, etc.). It was found that the YAGPU curators (mentors) of the groups periodically talk about the prevention of terrorism, especially after the tragedy in Kazan. In particular, they explain what to do when taking buildings by terrorists, how to behave when taking people hostage, what to do if an explosion occurred, how to behave when blocked, the procedure for detecting suspicious objects in the building (territory), in addition, explain the signs that may indicate the presence of explosive devices. Students pointed out that a number of faculties employ teachers who at one time served in the internal troops of the Ministry of internal affairs of the Russian Federation and served in the criminal investigation department. Measures are proposed to improve the effectiveness of identifying, preventing and eliminating the causes of illegal entry into university facilities and their territories, localization and neutralization of the consequences.