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When trying to decide what college to attend, living expenses play a major role in a student’s decision as the area will be their home away from home for several years. (Photo by: Jumping Rocks/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

When trying to decide what college to attend, besides academics, there are many factors like living expenses and social environment, that play a role in a student’s decision on where to pursue their degree.

Dig deeper:

WalletHub compared more than 400 U.S. cities of varying sizes based on cost of living, friendliness, social environment, and academic and economic opportunities, and crime rate to the quality of higher education in the city.
 

What they’re saying:

“Picking the right college is crucial, but it’s also important to make sure that the surrounding college town will be a place where you’ll truly love spending your college years. Towns with a low cost of living, plenty of activities and large student populations can make your college experience a lot less stressful and a lot more enjoyable,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lup. “In addition, cities with a great economic environment can make it easier to get a job during or immediately after college.”

Top 5 best college towns

The top five best college towns in America, according to WalletHub, were: 

Austin, TexasAnn Arbor, MichiganOrlando, FloridaTampa, FloridaRaleigh, North Carolina

The backstory:

A view of the downtown buildings and the Lady Bird Like in Austin, United States on October 20, 2025. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas, home to the University of Texas, Austin, Concordia University and St. Edward’s University, ranks as the No. 1 spot for the best college town in the U.S. based on WalletHub’s requirements.

Austin’s economy is strong and has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S. and the 27th-best annual job growth rate, allowing students to work while in school or land a job after graduation.
 

Aerial general view of the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan, home to the University of Michigan, which ranks 10th in the nation for educational quality, is the second-best college town in WalletHub’s ranking.  

In Michigan, the average cost of a year with in-state tuition plus room and board is $34,782, a great deal lower than the over $91,000 per year you can expect to pay in the most expensive cities.

Aerial view of Orlando skyline and reflection in Lake Eola. (Getty Images)

Orlando, Florida

Orlando, home to the University of Central Florida, ranks third.  

Despite being a big city, Orlando has the 19th-cheapest tuition for in-state students and being the theme park capital of the world, offers students lots of entertainment opportunities.
  

Worst college towns

The worst college towns in the WalletHub ranking were all in California. Norwalk, Daly City, Carson, Compton, and East Los Angeles all received poor grades. 

The Source: Information for this article was sourced from a WalletHub study. This story was reported from Orlando.

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