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A college town or university town is a community (often a separate town or city, but in some cases a town/city neighborhood or a district) that is dominated by its university population.
Jun 14, 2024 · 1) Madison, Wisconsin. Those who enjoy exploring local parks and trails, boating on the lake, or dining in a vibrant culinary scene will love Madison. Flanked between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, Madison offers a variety of locally-owned shops, restaurants, and specialty stores on its iconic State Street.
Sep 25, 2023 · A college town, distinct from a suburb or a city that hosts a college, is a self-contained world — much like the campus it encapsulates. Analysis of the collegeiest college towns in America by the Washington Post insists that they’re provincial, they’re probably a bit isolated.
- Boston
- Lynchburg, Virginia
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- Columbia, Missouri
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Tempe, Arizona
- Iowa City
- Gainesville, Florida
- Athens, Georgia
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 ...
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 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 tra...
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.
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 shopfor vital research.
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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.
Who says you have to be a student to live in (and love!) a college town? We ranked the Top 50 Best College Towns in the U.S. based on public schools, cost of living, job opportunities, crime, and local amenities as part of our 2019 Best Places to Live in America. See where your favorite college town ranks!
RankCityStateTown PopulationRank 1State MichiganTown Population 119,303Rank 2State CaliforniaTown Population 120,179Rank 3State IllinoisTown Population 75,557Rank 4State MassachusettsTown Population 110,893For the purposes of this article, a college town is a small to medium-sized town or city (I have cities with up to almost a million residents on this list) where one or more colleges are located, and the college student population is high enough to make an impact on the culture as a whole.
Oct 12, 2022 · Whether it's feeling the palpable vibe of an alma mater, having tons to do, or the fact that your college town is a great place to stay after you've graduated, we've worked to provide you with a quality list of the best college towns in the nation.
