Fort Collins, Colorado, home to Colorado State University.3.0/Wikimedia Commons
Niche, a company that researches and compiles information on cities, recently named the best college towns in America, focusing on the overall livability of places where undergraduates from a top-250 college make up at least 10% of the town's overall population.
To determine "livability," Niche narrowed in on each city's cost of living, public-school quality, the percentage of residents who hold at least a bachelor's degree, and the overall strength of the area's real-estate market. Niche also factored in things like diversity, crime rates, and access to amenities. You can read a detailed breakdown of the methodology here.
From the homes of big state schools to small towns housing tiny private schools, here are the 30 best places to live while you're earning that degree.
30. Golden, Colorado — home to Colorado School of Mines
Population: 19,759
Cost of living: C-
Median rent: $947
Nightlife: A+
"The community is great, and it is growing quickly," one resident said. "Places are consistently looking to hire in town. It is also a relatively short drive in to Denver, so there are plenty of places to work."
Leisure activities are abundant as well.
"There are block parties all summer long, you can tube on the river, the breweries are great, and people are friendly," another resident said. "What's not to love?"
29. Carlisle, Pennsylvania — home to Dickinson College
Population: 18,877
Cost of living: C+
Median rent: $776
Nightlife: A
"School is important to the people here, and because we live in a small community, it is easy to find someone you know in every store you walk in," one resident said. "Living in a small town is actually an adventure to me."
28. Northfield, Minnesota — home to Carleton College and St. Olaf College
Population: 20,303
Cost of living: B-
Median rent: $730
Nightlife: B+
"Northfield is repeatedly ranked as one of the best small cities in America, and between its two liberal arts colleges, politically active youth, and historic feel, it is a quirky and raw place to grow up," a lifelong resident shared.
27. Salt Lake City — home to the University of Utah
Population: 189,267
Cost of living: C-
Median rent: $807
Nightlife: A+
There's always something to do in Salt Lake City.
"Access to nature is less than five minutes from downtown," one resident noted. "Many people are moving here because of how close the city is to hiking trails, national parks, camp grounds, skiing, etc."
26. Amherst, Massachusetts — home to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and Amherst College
Population: 39,260
Cost of living: D
Median rent: $1,117
Nightlife: A
"I definitely appreciate the local restaurants and businesses and the sense of community from everyone who gets involved with the events that take place every year in town," one resident said. "I do personally enjoy the small-town feel and the ability to do so many activities outside, and [to] be so connected with nature and wildlife is a gift."
25. Madison, Wisconsin — home to the University of Wisconsin
Population: 239,848
Cost of living: C
Median rent: $922
Nightlife: A+
"There are always opportunities to go see live music, generally for free, on the weekends and even the weekdays," one resident said. "One can never be bored — all one has to do is go out and see the gorgeous area at any time of the day, and it will impress."
24. West Lafayette, Indiana — home to Purdue University
Population: 30,843
Cost of living: C-
Median rent: $854
Nightlife: A+
"I do like that there is a lot of diversity here with all of the students who live near the campus, and this in turn draws the attraction of more diverse and ethnic restaurants," one Purdue student said.
Off campus, students and residents alike can explore local offerings in town.
"It is nice to have mom-and-pop stores to balance out the density of commercial chains," one resident shared. "These stores definitely hold their own in a community that supports them."
23. State College, Pennsylvania — home to Penn State
Population: 42,066
Cost of living: D
Median rent: $947
Nightlife: A+
"The atmosphere is everything a college student would want," one Penn State student said. "There's always something to do and ways to get involved both on and off campus. The weather isn't always the best, but the people and experiences make it the best."
22. Charlottesville, Virginia — home to the University of Virginia
Population: 44,505
Cost of living: C-
Median rent: $1,015
Nightlife: A+
"From caverns to downtown cities, Virginia truly has so much to offer," one resident said. "Charlottesville alone has a rich history that encompasses anyone who travels by it. From Monticello to the downtown mall, Charlottesville is a great place to live. It has a nice southern feel of gentility while also progressing forward, without losing its gentle touch in history."
21. Norman, Oklahoma — home to the University of Oklahoma
Population: 115,521
Cost of living: B
Median rent: $780
Nightlife: A+
"I love the area in which I live!" one resident said. "It is a college town, so there are a ton of apartments and student life, and the city has so much to offer. I really enjoy the community feeling in this town, and everyone comes together for special events such as the music and art festivals."
20. Hanover, New Hampshire — home to Dartmouth College
Population: 8,411
Cost of living: D-
Median rent: $1,495
Nightlife: A+
"This place is safe, almost no crime, good school system, people are friendly, no traffic problem, and close to all different activities; for example, skiing, hockey, tennis, squash, and a health club," one resident said.
19. Santa Barbara, California — home to the University of California at Santa Barbara
Population: 89,669
Cost of living: D-
Median rent: $1,517
Nightlife: A+
"I love living in Santa Barbara," one resident shared. "It's a great environment with very friendly people and great weather. The education here is quite strong and people do great things with their careers. It's a great tourist town and there are plenty of things to do and see."
18. Coral Gables, Florida — home to the University of Miami
Population: 49,319
Cost of living: D+
Median rent: $1,319
Nightlife: A+
"Food and drink around the Miami area is amazing," one resident said. "Every type of food you can dream of is somewhere in the city, and they all have happy hours. The nightlife, as you would expect, is out of the world."
"Everything comes with a pretty sizable price tag though," the person added.
17. Iowa City, Iowa — home to the University of Iowa
Population: 70,597
Cost of living: C
Median rent: $861
Nightlife: A+
"I love living in Iowa City. It is a great place to go to school, but also an awesome place to live in general," one resident said. "There are always events associated with the university, but there are also many attractions to see in Iowa City. It is a huge literary hub, and there are many festivals, especially over the summer. Something is always happening!"
16. Newton, Massachusetts — home to Boston College
Population: 86,945
Cost of living: D+
Median rent: $1,672
Nightlife: A-
"Despite the extreme temperatures in New England, I love it here," one resident said. "One particular thing I like about this area is our reservoir. People are able to exercise with friends and family and enjoy the lovely view — especially during sunrise and sunset!"
15. Columbia, Missouri — home to the University of Missouri
Population: 113,155
Cost of living: C+
Median rent: $804
Nightlife: A+
"For a college town, there was always something going on downtown or at some park, and the overall sense of community was so overwhelming and great," a former resident said. "I loved this city more than I ever thought I would. To add to my affection, they had amazing ice cream and pizza downtown, and the people of this city are so friendly and take care to preserve the city."
14. Fort Collins, Colorado — home to Colorado State University
Population: 149,627
Cost of living: C-
Median rent: $1,036
Nightlife: A+
"The general atmosphere is a very family friendly place, from clean parks and trails to regulating smoking in public places," one resident shared. "I would choose Fort Collins as one of the top places to live in Colorado due to its exposed nature and friendly community. Compared to many places in the rest of the country, Fort Collins is home to a beautiful open campus for a great school. It is a college town that even those who don't attend school say they love."
13. Tempe, Arizona — home to Arizona State University
Population: 166,975
Cost of living: C-
Median rent: $941
Nightlife: A+
"I personally love it here and couldn't imagine being anywhere else," one resident declared. "The weather is generally perfect, except in summer. There are so many different adventures you can have.
"If you are an outdoors fanatic, hiking, biking, mountains, and hidden waterfalls will please you. For thrill seekers, there is an amazing zipline, water parks, and other fun stuff. If you are into art, food, or music, there are almost weekly festivals to appease all appetites."
12. Provo, Utah — home to Brigham Young University
Population: 114,804
Cost of living: C
Median rent: $734
Nightlife: A+
"I love the area," one resident said. "I like how there are so many housing options with grocery stores nearby. I am also absolutely in love with how close the mountains are! They make it very easy to go on a day hike any time you want. The people are kind, and overall I believe it is an ideal place to go to school."
11. Chapel Hill, North Carolina — home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Population: 58,379
Cost of living: C-
Median rent: $982
Nightlife: A+
"The Chapel Hill/Durham area is a fantastic place to live," one resident said. "The people in the area are very friendly, there are plenty of excellent restaurants, and the weather in the fall and spring is second to none."
10. Decorah, Iowa — home to Luther College
Population: 8,058
Cost of living: B
Median rent: $584
Nightlife: A
"When I get out of college, I plan on eventually moving back to this area," one resident said. "The amount of activities are not an abundance, but it always a safe area."
Despite the small-town vibe, residents still find plenty to do in Decorah.
"There are lots of fun mom and pop shops in Northeast Iowa that are worth checking out," another resident said. "There are also a ton of great outdoor opportunities in the region!"
9. Lawrence, Kansas — home to the University of Kansas
Population: 90,194
Cost of living: C+
Median rent: $852
Nightlife: A+
"Lawrence has an indescribable buzz around it at all times," one resident said. "Whether it be getting ready to go camp out for a basketball game at the always packed Allen Fieldhouse or walking down Massachusetts Street to a little shop to get something unique or eat somewhere that you've never heard of half the items on the menu. There are many things to do with many components of a big city with the small town feel."
8. Princeton, New Jersey — home to Princeton University
Population: 28,940
Cost of living: D
Median rent: $1,344
Nightlife: A+
"It's a college town, so there's a wide variety of stores and independent businesses," one resident reported. "My favorite local businesses include a coffee shop and roaster, brewery, and a nonprofit movie theater."
7. Irvine, California — home to the University of California at Irvine
Population: 229,850
Cost of living: D-
Median rent: $1,863
Nightlife: A
"It's true that Irvine might not be the most exciting place, but it's an amazing place to live," one resident reported. "The air quality is amazing — fresh air everywhere — and it's so peaceful but still close to everything you'd ever need.
"There's food from almost any ethnicity you can think of within a 15 minute drive, and if you ever want to drive further, there's some pretty famous places only around 45 minutes away in LA."
6. Davis, California — home to the University of California at Davis
Population: 66,093
Cost of living: D-
Median rent: $1,247
Nightlife: A+
"There are several great restaurants in the area," one resident said. "Davis provides a lot of great Thai food, Mexican food, and Indian dining options that are great for the whole family.
"Besides restaurants and bars, there are also many parks that are great for a weekend walk or bike ride. The UC Davis Arboretum provides plenty of shade and lovely flowers to look at."
5. Berkeley, California — home to the University of California at Berkeley
Population: 115,688
Cost of living: D-
Median rent: $1,338
Nightlife: A+
"This is a bustling college town, with lots of college students always engaging in various activities," one resident said. "Even for those who are not college students, there is a large variety of activities and tons of food options all within close proximity."
4. Boulder, Colorado — home to the University of Colorado at Boulder
Population: 102,002
Cost of living: D-
Median rent: $1,203
Nightlife: A+
"I love everything about Boulder," one resident shared. "It is the perfect college town, but also perfect for young families to start out and grow. There is so much to do here, including hiking, biking, and just taking in the fresh mountain air."
3. Ames, Iowa — home to Iowa State University
Population: 61,276
Cost of living: C+
Median rent: $774
Nightlife: A+
"Iowa State University campus is beautiful, and Ames is opening new restaurants, apartments, and stores all the time," one resident said. "The community is relatively friendly, and the atmosphere isn't rushed like a big city. Drive for about 20 minutes and you will find cornfields. Drive half an hour and you can go to another large city, Des Moines."
2. Ann Arbor, Michigan — home to the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Population: 115,985
Cost of living: C-
Median rent: $1,042
Nightlife: A+
"Ann Arbor is a great town, specifically a great college town!" one resident reported. "The food, nightlife, and overall atmosphere is great, and I love the fact that campus integrates into the city and vice versa."
1. Cambridge, Massachusetts — home to Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Population: 106,844
Cost of living: D
Median rent: $1,656
Nightlife: A+
"The Cambridge area is one of the best places to live for the up-and-coming millennial," one resident said. "Harvard Square offers great transportation, food options, and nightlife. There is always something to do."
