There are many factors that influence the choice of where to study at a university, but the location itself is undoubtedly a key factor. The U.S. is home to some of the most fascinating college towns in the U.S., where off-campus life is vibrant, exciting, youthful, and fascinating, and here are some of the highest-ranked college towns in the U.S.
Norman City, Oklahoma is the state's third-largest city and home to the University of Oklahoma. Norman University has more than 32,000 students, and more than 85,000 usually attend their sporting events. The University of Oklahoma funds many museums and theaters in the area.
The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art has the largest collection of French Impressionist art of any other university in the United States. Another popular museum is the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, which spans over 50,000 square feet and features exhibits on archaeology, Native American studies, paleontology, and more.
Next, the city has one of the best public transportation systems in the country!
Boulder, Colorado is relatively small, but has become one of the most popular college towns in the United States. It's almost entirely walkable, with bike paths running through most of the city, not to mention they have an excellent public transport system. Much of the town is nestled next to some of the most beautiful natural landscapes leading to the Rocky Mountains.
Most students either go to the University of Colorado or the University of Naropa. There are a plethora of startups, scientific and artistic institutions, making it the perfect balance of student and graduate life.
Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas has been the principal institution of learning in Fayetteville, Arkansas for generations. Located deep in the Ozark Mountains, on the outskirts of the Boston Mountains, the town has almost half of the population with a bachelor's degree. When classes are held at the University of Arkansas, many alumni come back to relive their glory days in football, basketball, and baseball.
Fayetteville has been nationally ranked as one of the best places to live, retire, travel and start a business. They have prominent art and ** scenes, a strong focus on local commerce, and a lively restaurant and entertainment area.
There are many college options in Providence, Rhode Island. Most students are divided into Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence College, University of Rhode Island, and Johnson &Wales. Providence has a total population of less than 180,000 people.
Since most schools are small liberal arts universities, there are large food and art scenes. In addition, it is one of the oldest cities in the United States, founded in 1636 by early colonist Roger Williams as part of the Massachusetts Bay Colonial Religious Sanctuary.
The next city has been at the top of the list.
Many notable publications, such as USA Today and Business Insider, rank Madison, Wisconsin, as one of the top college towns in the United States. The University of Wisconsin-Madison brings at least 50,000 new students to the city each year.
They are one of the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest for entrepreneurship. Madison is also a great place to eat, as many of its restaurants and chefs have won prestigious awards, including the James Beard Award. There's no shortage of live entertainment, with dozens of venues hosting ** shows every night.
Ames, Iowa's demographics are certainly skewed toward younger people, with an average age of 23. More than 45% of the population is currently attending college or graduate school, with the majority attending Iowa State University. Those looking for work in Ames are likely to succeed because their unemployment rate is less than half of the national unemployment rate.
Iowa State University is a top choice for those looking to study agriculture, design, engineering, and animal science. Jack Tice Stadium is a popular attraction for students and residents of the town, where football, basketball, volleyball, and tennis teams play throughout the year.
While walking in Lawrence, Kansas, it is not uncommon to see locals dressed along with their beloved Jayhawk. That's because it's the mascot of the University of Kansas, where more than a quarter of Lawrence residents attend school. The rest of the students went to the Haskell Indian National University.
Lawrence's architectural styles are extraordinary, with Victorian, Gothic Revival, Tudor, Romanesque, etc. Rolling Stone magazine named it one of the best college towns because of its significant ** and art scene. In South Park, you can find a gazebo that has been around for 110 years, and the band still plays there every summer.
Ithaca, New York, is home to Ithaca College and Cornell University, making it an ideal place to attend college. There are only 30,000 inhabitants in the entire city, so it has a small-town feel and isn't overly crowded. Ithaca has the perfect balance of urban and rural, with gorgeous waterfall hikes and a lively downtown.
While most people tend to leave the city after graduation, it may not be a bad idea to put down roots there. Livability ranks it as one of the best places to live because there are so many natural attractions and many fun activities that take place throughout the year.
In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the football season is sacred. On the streets, people are often heard cheering for the University of Alabama's soccer team, the Crimson Tide. Nearly a quarter of Tuscaloosa's 100,000 residents attend the university, and many alumni return with the pride of the school.
Not only are they considered "Cities of Champions," but they are also one of the most livable cities in the United States, one of the best neighborhoods for young people in the United States, and one of the best places to start a small business. Other attractions around the area include the Bamesabell Riverboat and the Alabama Natural History Museum.
Money Magazine ranked Texas' college town as the most educated city in the state. Nearly 40 percent of the population attends colleges in the area, with the majority attending Texas A&M University. This also makes the median age at College Station less than 23 years old.
"Big Event" is a tradition in the hearts of the students. It was the largest one-day community service event in the United States, where thousands of Texas A&M students and alumni gave back to the local community. Anyone visiting for the first time should check out the North Gate, which is an interesting area with restaurants, **shops, and more.
The city of Bloomington, Indiana, was founded in 1818 after early settlers were so impressed by its "flower paradise" that it got its name. Most of the students who live there attend Indiana University, one of the largest universities in the United States. In Bloomington, the most popular activities are done outdoors.
Locals recommend hiking the Deem Wilderness Trail, admiring wildflowers in Morgan Monroe State Forest, climbing the limestone cliffs of Cedar Bluffs Nature Preserve, and fishing at reservoir lakes. Since this is a college town, they have a lively nightlife with plenty of theaters, ** venues, and restaurants.
At least 20,000 students attend Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. It is named after Athens, Greece, because it was an ancient center of learning. There are trees almost everywhere, which has led to Athens being recognized as the City of Trees by the National Arbor Day** Society.
If you want to get out and about, there are plenty of state parks, forests, gardens, lakes, and trails not far from the university. Ohio University is the largest employer in Athens, so most of the city's events are held there. A local favorite is the Halloween block party, where the university is turned into a haunted house.
The temperature here can reach minus 40 degrees ...
Anyone who can't stand the cold shouldn't go to Fairbanks, Alaska. Temperatures can reach minus 40 degrees, but many students at the University of Alaska celebrate. Some even took pictures in their swimsuits in the snow to prove how much they enjoyed living there.
There are only 3 in the whole city20,000 people, about a quarter of them in universities. The community is very close-knit, so everyone knows everyone and will help their classmates and teachers. When students aren't studying, they go to the Alaskan wilderness, participate in local art events, and participate in community events.
There's a reason why Silicon Valley, the tech capital of the United States, is across the bay from Berkeley. The University of California, Berkeley is one of the most difficult public universities in the world for students to get an admission letter. Only the brightest minds can study there.
Berkeley also attracts seniors because of its mild climate year-round and easy access to nature. North Berkeley is home to many culinary options and artisans. It's clear that when entering the city, the residents have a creative mind that wants to change the world.
Penn State attracts a lot of people for a variety of reasons. Home to Penn State, it's one of the smartest and safest towns in the United States. In addition, its ** scene is considered one of the best in the country.
Penn State students call the state "Happy Valley" because of its rolling hills and joyful atmosphere. Summer, more than 1250,000 people flocked to the Central Pennsylvania Arts Festival, a five-day arts festival to buy paintings, pottery, jewelry, and other handmade items.
In Burlington, Vermont students can choose to attend the University of Vermont, Champlain College, Burlington College, or Emily Post College. The University of Vermont is often referred to as the "Public Ivies" because its public education is almost equivalent to other Ivy League schools.
In 2015, it became one of the greenest small towns in the United States when it became the first city to be powered entirely by renewable energy. And art is very popular in Burlington. Many residents look forward to the South End Arts Festival, a collaboration between artists and businesses who showcase art installations around the city.
Many reputable companies know that students who attend college in Ann Arbor, Michigan are getting the best out of their education, so they want to hire them. Agencies like Google, Toyota and the Environmental Protection Agency consider schools like the University of Michigan when deciding who to hire.
Football games at the University of Michigan are the primary entertainment of the academic year**, but there are many other cultural events as well. About half of the population is currently enrolled in one of the four universities, giving Ann Arbor a true college town vibe.