Every town in America has its own vibe and charm. While some are famous for the lifestyle they offer, others are famous for being home to world-renowned colleges. These colleges deeply influence the culture and businesses that run in the city. The cities are primarily cosmopolitan, with diverse populations of all age groups.
We have researched various online forums to create a list of the 12 best college towns in America.
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder’s majestic mountain ranges and several outdoor sports complement them, making It a haven for nature enthusiasts. With tech giants like Apple and Google expanding their presence in the area, Boulder is luring talented students with the hopes of landing well-paying jobs. While many Colorado University graduates start their careers as teacher’s assistants (TAs), some alumni run local businesses in town, fostering a sense of belonging and unity within the community.
Austin, Texas
A major tech hub attracting the most prominent companies and brightest tech minds alike, Austin contributes to much of Texas’ economic growth. Various scholarship opportunities and programs like the University Leadership Network reflect the University of Texas’ commitment to student growth. These result in students and families from culturally diverse backgrounds traveling to Austin for higher education and a better life.
Madison, Wisconsin
Filled with Gothic architecture, Madison finds its place between four mesmerizing lakes. Despite offering numerous sporting and outdoor activities, the people in Madison enjoy cheese curd the most. Student activism has been a significant force in Madison since the 20th century, and that passionate spirit remains strong even today. The University of Wisconsin-Madison houses about 48,000 students vocal about global issues and carry out peaceful protests to show their support.
Berkeley, California
Unlike most college towns situated far away from the central city, Berkeley is located in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area. Thanks to the three BART stations located nearby, you can roam around Berkeley and explore its vibrant cultural scene. The iconic Sather Tower, also called the Campanile, is one of the major highlights of the UC Berkeley campus. The nearby Berkeley Hills and Tilden Regional Park provide trails, parks, and splendid San Francisco Bay Area views.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor boasts world-class museums, including the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA), which showcases 150 years of art collecting, and a plethora of art galleries to inspire intellectual and creative minds. The Ann Arbor campus buzzes with student life, featuring over 1,600 organizations where students get the freedom to be themselves. Of particular note is its solid athletic tradition, led by the Michigan Wolverines football team, which draws massive crowds to Michigan Stadium.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
One of the oldest public universities in the United States, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (U.N.C.) is a central part of Chapel Hill. Franklin Street is one of the busiest roads in town, with a wide range of restaurants, boutiques, and local vendors. The street is also known for its celebration gatherings after victories of U.N.C. sports teams. Moreover, living in Chapel Hill is almost 22% more expensive than the rest of the college towns in America, with housing, healthcare, and property taxes adding to the expense.
Ithaca, New York
The town is crisscrossed by gorges, waterfalls, and hiking trails, which led to the city’s tourism slogan: Ithaca is Gorges. The place is known for its fishing culture, which adds to the delicious campus food at Cornell University. Located in the heart of Ithaca, Cornell University has a huge campus with sublime architecture and an academic life that can only be termed rigorous and highly competitive.
Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington’s culture is a varied blend of spiritual study, intellectual pursuits, international influences, and Midwestern values. Festivals like the famous Lotus World Music & Arts Festival draw international performers and audiences to the town. Basketball is the most loved sport in the state, so game days are usually vibrant as everyone rallies behind Indiana University’s sports team, the Indiana Hoosiers.
Athens, Georgia
The University of Georgia (U.G.A.), located in Athens, is among the oldest public universities in the United States. The town’s thriving music scene, which helped bands like R.E.M. and The B-52s break out as rockstars, complements the university’s rich cultural and artistic offerings. The university’s commitment to research, community service, and student success makes it a cornerstone of the Athens community and the state of Georgia.
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville, Florida, is warm and sunny for much of the year, which encourages an active lifestyle with a variety of entertainment, socialization, and personal growth opportunities. It is a quintessential college town, home to the University of Florida (U.F.), one of the largest and most prestigious public universities in the United States. Gainesville has a thriving music scene, and venues like the High Dive and Bo Diddley Plaza are cultural landmarks of a town brimming with performance arts.
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington, Vermont, is a picturesque college town along Lake Champlain, with the Green Mountains giving the residents a place to trek. Home to the University of Vermont (U.V.M.) and Champlain College, Burlington exudes an energetic and liberal vibe that reflects the influence of its student population. The city is committed to sustainability, which is evident in its farm-to-table dining, with 1.5 million acres of land being under conservation.
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge, Massachusetts, is an iconic college town renowned globally as the home of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.). Intellectual activity, innovation, and cultural diversity form the crux of this historic town. The presence of these world-class institutions shapes much of Cambridge’s character, attracting students from around the globe. Although housing expenses and utility prices are higher than the rest of the country, the transportation expenses in Cambridge are 1% lower than the national average.
