- A comprehensive study by WalletHub analyzed over 400 US cities to identify the best college towns for students.
- The rankings were based on three primary categories: affordability (wallet friendliness), social scene, and academic and economic opportunity.
- Data sources included the US Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and other federal agencies.
- The study defined college towns as cities with a student population exceeding 7,500.
Quick Summary
A recent study analyzed over 400 US cities to determine the best college towns for students. The rankings were based on three primary categories: affordability, social scene, and academic and economic opportunity. Data sources included the US Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and other federal agencies.
The study defined college towns as cities with a student population exceeding 7,500. Austin, Texas, was ranked number one, praised for its low unemployment rate and affordable pizza prices. Ann Arbor, Michigan, followed at number two, noted for its high student population density.
Other major cities in the top 20 include Orlando, Tampa, and Atlanta. The study also highlighted specific metrics, such as Seattle having the lowest wallet friendliness ranking among the top 20, while Tallahassee ranked highly for affordability but low for social environment.
Methodology and Criteria
The study utilized data from federal agencies including the US Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Center for Education Statistics, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Additional data was sourced from companies like TransUnion, TripAdvisor, and Yelp.
To determine the rankings, researchers examined specific factors within three main categories:
- Affordability: This category, referred to as "wallet friendliness," examined average housing costs, the cost of higher education, the share of rental units, and the average cost of pizza and burgers.
- Social Environment: This rank was determined by the share of the population aged 18-35, the share of single people, student gender balance, and the per capita number of cafes, breweries, food trucks, and nightlife venues.
- Academic and Economic Opportunity: This category looked at the quality of higher education, job-growth rate, earning potential for college graduates, and unemployment rates.
Top 10 College Towns
The top tier of the list features a mix of major metropolitan areas and university-centric cities. Austin, Texas, secured the number one spot. The city ranks 10th-best for academic and economic opportunities and boasts one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.
Ann Arbor, Michigan, home to the University of Michigan, ranked second. It was the second-highest ranking town for academic and economic opportunities and features a high student density, with 348 out of every 1,000 residents being students.
The remaining cities in the top 10 include:
- Austin, Texas
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Orlando, Florida
- Tampa, Florida
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Tempe, Arizona
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Reno, Nevada
- Charlottesville, Virginia
- Gainesville, Florida
Notable mentions in the top 10 include Atlanta, which received the highest social rank out of all cities in the top 20, and Gainesville, which was the highest-ranked for wallet friendliness within the top 20.
Rounding Out the Top 20
Cities ranked 11 through 20 display diverse strengths and weaknesses. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, ranked 11th, received the second-highest social rank among the top 20 but was ranked the lowest in the economic and academic opportunity rank within this group.
Miami ranked 14th, receiving the third-highest social rank in the top 20. Tallahassee, Florida, ranked 15th, was the second-highest ranked city for wallet friendliness within the top 20, though it had the second-lowest social rank.
Further down the list, Seattle ranked 16th but had the lowest wallet friendliness score in the top 20, coming in 360th out of 415 places overall. Salt Lake City ranked 17th but had the lowest economic and academic opportunity rank among the top 20.
The list concludes with Scottsdale, Arizona at 13th, Phoenix at 12th, and Madison, Wisconsin at 18th. Madison, home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was ranked 42nd in terms of social environment.
Key Takeaways
The study highlights that there is no single formula for the perfect college town. While some cities excel in affordability, others offer superior social environments or economic opportunities. For example, New Haven, Connecticut, home to Yale University, ranked 20th overall. It placed second for quality of higher education but had the lowest social environment rank among the top 20 and noted high costs for higher education.
Conversely, Charleston, South Carolina, ranked 19th, performed well socially, securing the sixth-highest social ranking out of the top 20 cities. These variations suggest that students must weigh personal priorities when selecting a location for their higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions
What criteria were used to rank the college towns?
The rankings were based on three main categories: affordability (examining housing costs and education costs), social scene (looking at population demographics and entertainment venues), and academic and economic opportunity (analyzing job growth and earning potential).
Which city was ranked the best college town?
Austin, Texas, was ranked as the best college town in the US.
How many cities were analyzed in the study?
The study analyzed over 400 cities across the United States.
