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Selected College Town Rankings
Comparison of top college towns across select US states
Primary Sources
The best college towns in U.S.? One from CT cracked top 20
If you are looking for the best college towns in the U.S., you will not have to look too far. RentCafe “checked out 244 college towns across 12 metrics to see which ones genuinely match what Gen Z wants in 2026.” According to the study, the best offered “the right mix of affordability, livability, and education.” For Connecticut, Storrs landed in the top 20 nationally at 18th overall, according to RentCafe: “Storrs, CT secures the No. 3 spot in the Northeast and climbs 10 places to rank No. 18 nationally in 2026, placing it firmly among the country’s top college towns and one of the standouts in the region.” Additionally, “With 13,502 residents and 11,540 students, about 85% of the town’s population is made up of students – Storrs is essentially a UConn campus community with its own ZIP code,” according to RentCafe. “UConn’s numbers back up Storrs’ academic reputation, with a retention rate of 92%, a graduation rate of 83%, and a student‑to‑faculty ratio of 17 to 1 – metrics that signal a high‑involvement, high‑completion environment for undergrads,” RentCafe went on to say. “Tuition and fees at UConn average about $21,044 a year, with monthly living costs around $4,559 so Storrs sits in the ‘premium but focused’ camp, yet 81% of students receive grants or scholarships, making that flagship price feel far more within reach.” Final curtain call coming for legendary CT theater. It’s showcased stars in making for 50 years Curious which town topped the list? The honor went to Bozeman, Montana, whose main university is Montana State University, according to RentCafe. Check out the top 20 best college towns below: RevContent Feed
The Best College Town in Every US State - Business Insider
A college town can shape a student's experience as much as academics, athletics, and campus life.Beyond being the backdrop for college memories, a school's setting often determines what students do outside class and the opportunities and experiences they have access to as they pursue their degrees.In a study released in October, WalletHub analyzed over 400 college locations across the US and ranked the cities and towns based on their affordability, social scene, and academic prospects for students in 2025. While some states had many of their college towns listed — California had 90 locations on the list, and Florida took up five of the top 15 spots — others were barely represented, and Maine had no entries at all.WalletHub defined college towns as cities with a college student population of over 7,500 students, and ranked each location across three categories: wallet-friendliness, social environment, and academic and economic opportunity.The analysis considered factors such as housing and higher education costs, the share of residents ages 18 to 35, nightlife and dining options, higher education quality, and graduates' earning potential to determine each location's rank across categories.The study used data from federal agencies, including the US Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the National Center for Education Statistics, as well as from companies such as TransUnion, TripAdvisor, and Yelp, along with other WalletHub research.For this list, we took the highest-ranked place in each US state to determine the best college town or city in every state. ALABAMA: Huntsville Huntsville is home to the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Alabama A&M University. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock National rank (in WalletHub's report): #52Schools: University of Alabama in Huntsville; Alabama A&M UniversityHuntsville's college scene is closely tied to the city's aerospace and research economy. Home to the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Alabama A&M University, it was Alabama's top-ranked city in the WalletHub study, ranking 52nd among college towns nationwide. ALASKA: Anchorage The University of Alaska Anchorage has a natural backdrop of snowy mountains. TripWalkers/Shutterstock National rank: #191School: University of Alaska AnchorageUrban yet outdoorsy, Anchorage and its unique natural setting make for Alaska's best college town. The city, home to the University of Alaska Anchorage, has a rich outdoor scene, with snowy mountains in the ba...
La Crosse named 'best small college town' in state, fourth in nation
La Crosse is the best small college town in Wisconsin and among the best in the country, according to a new ranking from Preply, an online language learning company.
Edwardsville Ranked Among Nation's Safest College Towns in America by ...
May 8, 2026 -The City of Edwardsville, home to the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has again been ranked nationally as one of the safest college towns in America.
