25 Best College Towns and Cities in the U.S.

Finding the right college is a serious business. Prospective students and parents have a lot to consider, from the institution's academic merits and scholarship offerings to its athletics. High on the list of considerations is location. Whether the campus is in a small town surrounded by countryside or an urban center brimming with culture, the setting shapes the student experience during these crucial years.

A college town is a place where the community is influenced by one or more schools. This not only affects the demographic, which skews younger, but also the culture — especially if the college in question has a lot of football fans. In cities with numerous colleges and universities, the school pride is more dispersed and diverse, but the youthful population brings in hip businesses and top musical acts.

In our opinion, a great college town or city offers a good mix of educational and professional opportunities along with a lively social scene or access to scenic surroundings. Here are 25 of the best college towns in the U.S., whether you're planning a university tour or a cultural weekend getaway.

Boston

The capital city of Massachusetts is packed with college students. Greater Boston, which includes cities like neighboring Cambridge, is one of the brainiest metro areas in the country, boasting dozens of higher education institutions, including Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Boston University. There are also smaller schools specializing in the arts or other niche subjects like Berklee College of Music and Emerson College, which is known for its communication programs. In this historic and cultural hub, students will cross paths with people in all kinds of fields and can take advantage of internship opportunities with companies headquartered here, such as General Electric, Converse, and Wayfair.

Lynchburg, Virginia

With six colleges, the largest of which is Lynchburg University, this historic city is set across rolling hills and beloved for its walkability. In between classes, students can hop on a bike and explore the extensive urban trail system or go for a scenic drive through the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains.

Madison, Wisconsin

Madison offers plentiful outdoor recreation opportunities, including more than 200 miles of biking trails and activities on the city's five lakes. There are more than 10 colleges in the area, including the University of Wisconsin, and the city has a great food scene with trendy restaurants like The Harvey House, which pays homage to the Midwest tradition of supper clubs in a restored train depot.

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

As the home of the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa is an obvious place to add to this list. The university really is the center of life here, and its sports teams make for excellent game-day outings. Country music fans can stroll along the town's Riverwalk to attend big-name outdoor concerts at the Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater.

Columbia, Missouri

The University of Missouri, also known as Mizzou, may be the dominant institution in town, but Columbia is also home to Stephens College and Columbia College. Students will find plenty of time-honored spots to mingle over pizza or burgers downtown, and there's even an MU ice cream shop for vital research. 

Ann Arbor, Michigan 

Another destination with a large college student population is Ann Arbor, the home of the University of Michigan. Like other major university towns, the center of life here is the university’s sports teams, specifically its football team, which has the most wins in college history. There's also a lively downtown area with great restaurants like The Black Pearl and funky cocktail bars like Nightcap.

Tempe, Arizona

College life dominates the social scene in Tempe, the seat of massive Arizona State University. Among the on-campus attractions is the cool "Skyspace: Air Apparent"  installation by renowned artist James Turrell. But there's also plenty to do nearby, too, from checking out the museums and the downtown market area to catching a game at Diablo Stadium or a show at the Marquee Theatre.

Iowa City

Those who aspire to a literary career should seriously consider studying in Iowa City, a UNESCO-designated City of Literature. The University of Iowa is one of the best places in the country for budding authors to hone their craft at the esteemed postgraduate Writers' Workshop. Students and visitors can get a taste of the local lit scene at Prairie Lights Books, which hosts author readings and other events.

Gainesville, Florida

Looking for sunshine in between classes? Students at the University of Florida can enjoy the year-round warm weather in the protected natural areas that surround the city, such as Newnans Lake State Forest and Sweetwater Wetlands Park. Cultural attractions in town include the on-campus Florida Museum of Natural History and Harn Museum of Art, both of which offer free admission.

Athens, Georgia

Athens, the home of the University of Georgia, boasts thriving music, art, and nightlife scenes. While you're taking it all in, keep an eye out for the iconic bulldog statues scattered around town, which are painted in a variety of styles and sure to reinforce a sense of school pride.

Lawrence, Kansas

Lawrence is yet another destination with a large student population, thanks to the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University. The city has a buzzing music scene and calendar of cultural highlights, from the monthly Final Fridays arts events downtown to fall's Art in the Park, which showcases locally made work.

Boulder, Colorado

Both the University of Colorado and Naropa University can be found in Boulder, boosting the town’s college-age population. Overlooked by the dramatic sandstone Flatirons, Boulder is the perfect place for students interested in spending every second out of class in the great outdoors. Not only is the city about an hour's drive from Rocky Mountain National Park, it offers hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails. 

Providence, Rhode Island 

Though it’s a small city, Providence has a big reputation as a college town, thanks to the Ivy League Brown University and the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design among other institutions. In addition to cultural gems like the RISD Museum, the city has an exciting food scene fueled by graduates of the renowned Culinary Arts program at Johnson & Wales University.

Tallahassee, Florida

In Tallahassee, you’ll find nine colleges and universities, including Florida State and Florida A&M University. Humming with youthful energy, the Florida state capital attracts big-name events and musical acts. It's also home to one of the country's top drum lines, Marching 100, so catching an A&M game is a must.

Berkeley, California

Located just outside of San Francisco, Berkeley is a dream for prospective students in search of a Northern California lifestyle and proximity to Silicon Valley (for those brag-worthy internship opportunities). While attending the University of California, Berkeley, students can get involved in the city’s energized activist scene and explore nearby green spaces like the 2,079-acre Tilden Regional Park.

Provo, Utah

Provo is home to Brigham Young University and a predominantly Mormon student population. Surrounded by snowcapped mountains, it's a beautiful place to live and the campus facilities are impressive, but students should expect a more religious social scene and fewer parties.

Eugene, Oregon 

If you’re attending college in Eugene, you'd better be ready to sport some Nike gear. As the birthplace of the famed brand and the University of Oregon, it’s a spot where sports and school go hand-in-hand. Lace up those kicks and hit the hilly Ridgeline Trail System, or get tickets to an Oregon Ducks football game to root for the home team.

Oxford, Mississippi 

The University of Mississippi can be found in the tiny town of Oxford, where more than half the population is made up of undergrads. Bookstores, boutiques, and restaurants radiate out from the city's picturesque Courthouse Square. Ole Miss is one of the most beautiful campuses in the country with lots of 19th-century Greek Revival architecture and an eclectic university museum that includes historic homes like William Faulkner's Rowan Oak.

Syracuse, New York 

This midsize city hosts several higher-education institutions, but the most prominent are Syracuse University and the State University of New York's College of Environmental Science and Forestry. It's a stone's throw from the Finger Lakes Region, so there's a lot of nature to explore and plenty of fun to be had.

Austin 

Austin is a happening place thanks to high-profile festivals like SXSW, but it’s also a growing tech hub filled with early-entry jobs suitable for graduates of the University of Texas flagship location. In this major city, you'll have access to superb entertainment and shopping — and the best Texas barbecue a college kid could ask for.

Lincoln, Nebraska 

University of Nebraska, Union College, and Nebraska Wesleyan University all call Lincoln home, making the state capital a melting pot of college students from across campuses. This is another city that offers students a good academic work/life balance; in addition to plentiful outdoor spaces, there are vibrant hubs like downtown's Historic Haymarket, with shops, microbreweries, and eateries in former warehouses adjacent to the Lincoln Saltdogs' ballpark.

Burlington, Vermont 

Winter sports lovers, this college town is for you. Burlington, located along the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, is a charming city home to the University of Vermont and Champlain College. Students can access some of the best skiing in the state in about an hour's drive, including Stowe Mountain, Sugarbush Resort, and Smuggler's Notch. Not to mention, it's one of the most gorgeous places you can spend the autumn months.

Chapel Hill, North Carolina 

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is one point of the dynamic Research Triangle Region that also includes Duke University in Durham and North Carolina State University in Raleigh, providing ample cultural and career opportunities for students and grads. Along with its artsy neighbor Carrboro, the picture-perfect college town has plenty of student-friendly cafes, galleries, and green spaces — plus some impressive street art.

Hartford, Connecticut 

Both Trinity College and the University of Hartford can be found in Hartford, a college town that boasts plenty of history. Explore that at Wadsworth Atheneum, the oldest public art museum in the nation, the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, and the Mark Twain House & Museum. 

Ithaca, New York 

Home to both Cornell University and Ithaca College, this New York State town may be an isolated spot to attend college, but it's not without its perks. A gateway to the scenic Finger Lakes region, Ithaca is known for its numerous waterfalls and indie music scene — and it has a number of local breweries for the over-21 crowd to enjoy.