Study Names No. 1 College Town in America for 2026
There's no shortage of factors to consider when choosing a college. Cost, size, distance from home and choice of major all matter, and that's just scratching the surface.
The location of a school and its surrounding area also play a major role in deciding where to attend college. Simply put, different settings appeal to different people.
Personal finance company WalletHub unveiled a new study this week on the "best" college towns in America. Over 400 U.S. cities were analyzed across 31 key metrics focusing on academic, social and economic opportunities for students
"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," says WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. "In addition, cities with a great economic environment can make it easier to get a job during or immediately after college.”
The top 10 college towns for 2026, per WalletHub
- Austin, Texas
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Orlando, Florida
- Tampa, Florida
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Tempe, Arizona
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Reno, Nevada
- Charlottesville, Virginia
- Gainesville, Florida
Austin is the top "large" and best overall college town, while Ann Arbor is the best "small" college town and No. 2 overall.
Tempe, Arizona just misses the top five but is the No. 1 "medium-sized" college town, according to the WalletHub data.
Austin reigns supreme
Austin's overall score of 64.54 is a little more than two points better than runner-up Ann Arbor. While the capital of the Lone Star State is of course best known for the University of Texas at Austin, it also boasts schools like Huston-Tillotson University, St. Edward’s University and Concordia University.
The city's low unemployment rate in the U.S., as well as its 27th-best annual job growth rate and ranking of 18th in the country for quality of higher education helped Austin reach the top spot on the list.
"In addition, Austin has a very high number of attractions, sports clubs and shopping centers to help students destress after class, and it has one of the lowest average pizza prices in the U.S," WalletHub wrote. "The city’s schools also enable students to pursue or watch Division 1 basketball, baseball, soccer and football, among other sports."