RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesAnn Arbor, Michigan, is the best college town in the US. Sean Pavone/Getty Images
College towns offer unique student experiences that set them apart from big cities.
For many, large research universities anchor the local economy and culture.
Ann Arbor tops the list of best college towns, driven by the University of Michigan's rich culture.
For many students, college is a time filled with rigorous classes, internship applications , and energy-drink-filled all-nighters .
College towns often offer a unique experience that helps these students manage flourishing social lives and hobbies alongside their academic careers.
Business Insider looked at some of the cities and towns across America where students can thrive , and compiled a list that best matches the loose definition of a college town.
To do so, we used data from the Census Bureau's latest population estimates and from WalletHub's 2025 ranking of the best college towns. We then filtered out major cities , focusing instead on places where colleges and universities anchor the local economy and lifestyle.
Not all college towns are built the same, however, and while some are extensions of nearby metropolises, others are smaller communities tucked away from other urban areas.
20. Provo, Utah
Provo, Utah, is the home to Brigham Young University. Brett Taylor/Getty Images/iStockphoto
School: Brigham Young University
Population: 114,527
Nestled between mountains in the Utah Valley, the city of Provo is home to the private Brigham Young University, which has a student population of over 35,000 students.
The town has a lively economy, a young population , and its local culture is closely tied to religion and sports. Locals often enjoy the city's unique access to hiking trails and stunning natural landscapes.
19. Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville is the home to the University of Tennessee — Knoxville's over 40,000 students. CrackerClips/Getty Images/iStockphoto
School: University of Tennessee — Knoxville
Population: 202,021
Home to the University of Tennessee — Knoxville and its over 40,000 students, the city of Knoxville is a vibrant and energetic community.
The city is considered a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains — as it's located less than an hour away from unique Appalachian landscapes — and a hub for country music , which soundtracks the city's scene.
During gamedays, over 100,000 fans pack into the school's Neyland Stadium in their best orange-and-white attire.
18. College Station, Texas
College Station, Texas, is home to Texas A&M University. ShengYing Lin/Getty Images
School: Texas A&M University
Population: 127,472
Located between Austin and Houston, College Station, Texas, is one of the state's best college towns. The city's culture, economy, and lifestyle are shaped by Texas A&M University.
The land-grant, SEC university has one of the largest student populations at its College Station campus, with over 72,000 students.
School culture unites the city, with Aggie pride inescapable on gamedays as fans congregate at the school's Kyle Field, which seats over 100,000.
The city is also home to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
17. Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is home to the University of North Carolina's roughly 34,000 students. CRobertson/Getty Images
School: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Population: 63,565
The school's roughly 34,000 students shape local culture and economy. Along with Durham — home to Duke University — and Raleigh — home to North Carolina State University — Chapel Hill is part of North Carolina's Research Triangle , a region where tech and education are among the most popular fields of employment.
Thanks to the college's prevalence and the region's entry-level job opportunities, the town has a highly educated, uniquely young population.
16. East Lansing, Michigan
East Lansing is home to roughly 52,000 students at Michigan State University. Joe Hendrickson/Getty Images
School: Michigan State University
Population: 49,355
Neighboring the state capital of Lansing, the city of East Lansing combines college culture with government employment .
The city is home to roughly 52,000 students at Michigan State University, which dominates local culture and sports. The school's sprawling campus sits directly across the city's downtown. Restaurants, cafés, shops, and bars cluster around the university.
15. San Luis Obispo, California
San Luis Obispo in California is home to over 23,000 students at California Polytechnic State University. russokm1105/Getty Images/iStockphoto
School: California Polytechnic State University.
Population: 50,636
Halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, the town of San Luis Obispo combines the energy of a college town with the laid-back lifestyle of California's Central Coast.
The over 20,000 students at Cal Poly have easy access to the region's beaches, mountain trails, and wine country, while the city's compact downtown is filled with restaurants, shops, and nightlife.
14. Storrs, Connecticut
Storrs is home to over 33,000 students at the University of Connecticut. MarkNH/Getty Images
School: University of Connecticut
Population: 15,979 (per the 2020 census)
In the small community of Storrs, which is surrounded by the forests and farmland of northeastern Connecticut, the University of Connecticut is the center of life.
Downtown Storrs, located next to campus, has more than 70 businesses, as well as nature preserves and hiking trails. The university's size gives the otherwise rural community a steady stream of restaurants, events, arts programming, and student activity, especially during UConn basketball game days.
13. Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge is home to Harvard University's 25,000 students and MIT's nearly 12,000. HABesen/Getty Images
School: Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Population: 122,588
Few American cities ...
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