Choosing the right college isn’t just about academics anymore, it’s about finding a place where students can thrive socially, financially, and personally for four transformative years. “Picking the right college is crucial, but it’s also important to make sure that the surrounding college town will be a place where you’ll truly love spending your college years,” says WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.
To determine the top locations to attend college in 2025, we based our ranking not only on the academic accolades of the universities, but on the things that college-age people today value most. We analyzed 12 different factors, including cost of living, tuition fees, graduation rates, natural amenities, air quality, entertainment options and many more. The results reveal fascinating trends about what makes a college town truly exceptional in today’s landscape.
Austin, Texas
This is not the first time Austin has topped the list. It is the sixth year in a row that the Texas capital has been named the best college town in the country. It’s no surprise that Austin, Texas, with its distinct counterculture, vibrant nightlife, hot culinary scene, and innumerable music venues, ranks as the best big college town in the United States.
Key Statistics:
- Austin earned a score of 65.16 points out of a possible 100, and performed its best in the national rankings for “academic and economic opportunities” (No. 14)
- On top of that, Austin ranks 18th in the nation for the quality of higher education among more than 400 cities in our study. It also has the 85th-cheapest in-state tuition (including room and board), at $31,433 per year
- [Austin has] one of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S. and the fifth-best annual job growth rate, allowing students to easily find work while in school or helping them transition to a job immediately after
Universities: University of Texas at Austin, Concordia University, St. Edward’s University
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Home to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor was the second-highest ranking out of the top 20 college towns for academic and economic opportunities. It provides opportunities for social connections too, with 348 out of every 1,000 residents being students, per WalletHub…