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DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images June 17, 2022 Hanneh Bareham specializes in everything related to student loans and helping you finance your next educational endeavor. She aims to help others reach their collegiate and financial goals through making student loans easier to understand. Chelsea has been with Bankrate since early 2020. She is invested in helping students navigate the high costs of college and breaking down the complexities of student loans. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by and edited by , who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy. Our loans reporters and editors focus on the points consumers care about most — the different types of lending options, the best rates, the best lenders, how to pay off debt and more — so you can feel confident when investing your money. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity
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Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information. Bankrate logo How we make money
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. When searching for the perfect school, many students consider factors like the overall cost, campus size, amenities, academics and student life. However, the the location of a school can also be an important feature; a great college town can make day-to-day university life more enjoyable. Bankrate examined factors like the cost of living, restaurant density and safety to find the top nine college towns in the U.S. Methodology
To find the best college towns of 2022, Bankrate evaluated 45 of the most well-known college towns in the U.S. using the following criteria. Percentage of the population enrolled in college
According to , peer-to-peer interaction is directly linked to a more satisfying and successful college experience. That’s why, using data from the , we selected towns where 70 percent or more of the residents are college students. Cost of living
Cost should always be a major factor when moving to another city — especially if you’re a college student. A revealed that more than one-third of college students struggle with both housing and food insecurity. Because of this, we cut any college town where the cost of living is above the national average, according to data by . Safety
You want to be able to walk around town without having to look over your shoulder at every step. That’s why we favored college towns that are up to 50 percent safer than the average city in the U.S., as reported by digital analytics company . Dining and entertainment
A big part of going to college is having fun. After all, you need to treat yourself for all the hard work you do. Using data from , we chose towns that had at least 200 restaurants, bars and coffee shops, so you never run out of options. The top 9 U S college towns
1 Provo Utah
Provo, home to Brigham Young University, has a bustling nightlife with comedy, karaoke, live music and more. For students who appreciate the great outdoors, Provo is nationally recognized for its outdoor recreation and 30-plus miles of walking trails. Provo is also home to large corporations, like Novatek, Vivint and Qualtrics, giving students the unique opportunity to settle into a career after graduation in a town that feels like home. Primary university: Brigham Young University. Population: 120,000. Percentage of population enrolled in college: 70.4 percent. Cost of living: 4.4 percent below national average. Safety: 30 percent safer than the average U.S. city. Estimated number of restaurants, bars and coffee shops: 205. 2 Athens Georgia
Students interested in a vibrant arts scene will find themselves at home in Athens, college town of the University of Georgia. Athens is home to some of the South’s best breweries and plenty of activities. From theaters to museums to art galleries to its immense botanical garden, Athens has something for everyone. Primary university: University of Georgia. Population: 130,000. Percentage of population enrolled in college: 72.7 percent. Cost of living: 0.4 percent below national average. Safety: 12 percent safer than the average U.S. city. Estimated number of restaurants, bars and coffee shops: 478. 3 College Station Texas
Home to Texas A&M University, College Station is known for its active culture and school spirit. It’s a student-friendly town, with many of its restaurants and grocery stores within walking distance or a short drive away from campus. Students can visit one of its many museums, like the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, or enjoy the Northgate Entertainment District for restaurants, clubs and the world-famous bar Dixie Chicken. Primary university: Texas A&M University. Population: 120,000. Percentage of population enrolled in college: 75.5 percent. Cost of living: 18.8 percent below national average. Safety: 23 percent safer than the average U.S. city. Estimated number of restaurants, bars and coffee shops: 390. 4 Iowa City Iowa
The University of Iowa’s Iowa City has renowned parks and trails, an active nightlife and a variety of dining options and bars. It’s also known for its student-friendly transportation options and it has been recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a . Writers and creatives will enjoy Iowa City’s literary scene; Iowa City is a UNESCO City of Literature, and the city regularly hosts author events, writing workshops and more. Primary university: University of Iowa. Population: 75,000. Percentage of population enrolled in college: 76 percent. Cost of living: 9.60 percent below national average. Safety: 24 percent safer than the average U.S. city. Estimated number of restaurants, bars and coffee shops: 260. 5 Gainesville Florida
For students seeking a warmer climate with plenty to do, Gainesville can be a great place to call home. This home of the University of Florida is known for its shopping, gourmet restaurants, lively nightlife and, of course, its proximity to many of Florida’s beaches. Students can enjoy the Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park just outside the city or take a 90-minute drive to surf at Flagler Beach. Primary university: University of Florida. Population: 140,000. Percentage of population enrolled in college: 78.4 percent. Cost of living: 6.6 percent below national average. Safety: 8 percent safer than the average U.S. city. Estimated number of restaurants, bars and coffee shops: 531. 6 Bloomington Indiana
Indiana University, located in Bloomington, has been often referred to as one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. Also known as the Tree City, Bloomington is known for its conservation efforts, and students are often attracted to Bloomington’s outdoor recreation and natural sites. The city is home to more than 200 miles of hiking and biking trails throughout the town that cut through its wetlands, the hardwood forest, inland lakes and even caves. Primary university: Indiana University. Population: 79,000. Percentage of population enrolled in college: 82.7 percent. Cost of living: 2.4 percent below national average. Safety: 13 percent safer than the average U.S. city. Estimated number of restaurants, bars and coffee shops: 343. 7 Morgantown West Virginia
Morgantown hosts West Virginia University and is recognized as one of the top 15 football towns in the country by the . The town is close to major cities like Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., which is an advantage for students looking for internships or postgraduation jobs. Morgantown is known for its lively energy and a historic downtown area with boutique shops and local restaurants. Primary university: West Virginia University. Population: 30,000. Percentage of population enrolled in college: 85.4 percent. Cost of living: 6.1 percent below national average. Safety: 18 percent safer than the average U.S. city. Estimated number of restaurants, bars and coffee shops: 223. 8 East Lansing Michigan
Students attending Michigan State University won’t have to stay on campus to experience school spirit and pride in MSU’s football team, the Spartans; games are broadcast in nearly every bar and restaurant in East Lansing, keeping the on-campus culture alive throughout the town. For students who aren’t sports fans, there are plenty of ways to fill free time in between classes or on the weekends. The town is home to unique attractions, like the 100-acre Potter Park Zoo and the Abrams Planetarium. Primary university: Michigan State University. Population: 48,000. Percentage of population enrolled in college: 91.4 percent. Cost of living: 8.1 percent below national average. Safety: 22 percent safer than the average U.S. city. Estimated number of restaurants, bars and coffee shops: 269. 9 State College Pennsylvania
Also known as “Happy Valley,” State College is college-friendly due to its high walkability score, affordable housing, bustling entertainment industries and selection of dining options. The city hosts several arts and culture events with live performances, arts workshops and more. Students attending Penn State can participate in events such as the New Year’s Eve celebration “First Night State College” or the summer’s Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. Primary university: Pennsylvania State University. Population: 42,000. Percentage of population enrolled in college: 91.7 percent. Cost of living: 9.2 below national average. Safety: 50 percent safer than the average U.S. city. Estimated number of restaurants, bars and coffee shops: 209. The bottom line
College towns can make or break a college experience. The culture of the town and its school spirit can be a deciding factor for students trying to choose a school, so take the time to do your research. For example, if you’re an outdoor enthusiast, then choosing a college located in the middle of a busy city might not be the best option for your physical or mental health. If you’re looking for the best variety of weekend activities, then a small town may not be the right choice. Whenever possible, visit the cities where your prospective colleges are located. By spending a few days there, you can get a better feel for the college towns and whether they might be a good fit for you. SHARE: Hanneh Bareham specializes in everything related to student loans and helping you finance your next educational endeavor. She aims to help others reach their collegiate and financial goals through making student loans easier to understand. Chelsea has been with Bankrate since early 2020. She is invested in helping students navigate the high costs of college and breaking down the complexities of student loans. Related Articles