College towns contain a particular kind of magic, but although major college cities such as Austin, Texas are nationally known, many lesser known towns deserve recognition.
Some of the nation’s most underrated travel destinations are these lesser known college communities.
About 84% of travelers say they’d rather explore smaller cities and lesser-known destinations over major hubs, according to Kayak’s 2026 What the Future Report.
Additionally, nearly 63% of travelers are embracing shorter, more spontaneous “nanocations” which are quick getaways that don’t require weeks of planning.
If you are ready to explore vibrant and affordable college towns this fall here are ten that will not disappoint, according to Kayak’s survey.
Which California college town or city made the list?
Taking the No. 2 spot is none other than Davis. Home to UC Davis this college community is known for its cycling culture and sustainability first mindset.
Those interested in visiting can expect to pay an average of $148 per night for a hotel.
What other college towns or cities are considered the most underrated in the nation?
On top of the ranking of most underrated is the city of Clemson in South Carolina. This town is home to Clemson University and is situated near the Blue Ridge Mountains. Clemson blends scenic outdoors with a lively downtown scene of bars, restaurants and cafés.
Visitors can expect to pay about $228 a night for a hotel stay.
Though Clemson and Davis took the first two spots in the ranking, plenty of others shined.
Here are the towns that made the rankings:
Clemson, South CarolinaDavis, CaliforniaWest Lafayette, IndianaChapel Hill, North CarolinaOxford, MississippiBoone, North CarolinaAthens, GeorgiaEugene, OregonAnn Arbor, MichiganState College, PennsylvaniaHow was the ranking made?
The data gathered from the “What the Future Report 2026” dives into trends and community insights from social media sites including TikTok.
Hotel data was based on searches between Oct. 1 2024 through March 13, 2026, for travel between Jan. 1, 2026 through Dec. 31. All prices are average hotel prices for one night in a double room, according to Kayak.
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Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado is a service journalism reporter at The Sacramento Bee. She previously worked at the Star Democrat in Annapolis, Maryland. Veronica graduated from Georgetown University with a master’s degree in journalism.