As someone who went to school in a small, suburban neighborhood, I can tell all of you that having a college town is incredible. If I wanted to go anywhere besides the local diner, it was a good ten minute car ride, and good luck moving off-campus next to a bunch of neighbors who act like there wasn’t a college down the road when they moved there.
Luckily, nearby Princeton University was my adopted college town. We’d head to Princeton on Sunday afternoons to pretend we were smart, eat fro-yo, and desperately try to find our future husbands on Tinder.
Turns out, Princeton, New Jersey was just named the number one college town by SmartAsset who ranked locations based on factors like crime rate, unemployment, median income, housing costs, and the local availability of dining and entertainment amenities.
Where else made the list? Check out the top 10 college towns below, and hit me up if you feel like grabbing a pint at Triumph Brewing Company and scout for hubbies in Princeton sometime.
1. Princeton, New Jersey — Princeton University
Why: Princeton is not only a great school, but a cool little town. Crime rates are super low, and you’re just a quick train ride away from both New York City and Philadelphia for a weekend getaway.
2. Kearney, Nebraska — University of Nebraska
Why: Kearney has the lowest unemployment rate (2.5 percent) of any college town in America. There’s also lots of bars and restaurants (because what else do you do in Nebraska?).
3. Boulder, Colorado — University of Colorado
Why: Weed doesn’t seem to be a factor in the decision making, but there’s also lots of things to do and culture.
4. Bozeman, Montana — Montana State University
Why: Outdoorsy folk will love its close location to Yellowstone National Park, everyone else will love the booming economy and low unemployment rate.
5. Cedar Falls, Iowa — University of Northern Iowa
Why: It costs next to nothing to live there and there’s a very low crime rate to boot.
6. Cambridge, Massachusetts — Harvard University, MIT
Why: There’s a good chance your brainy butt will be able to land a job at some nearby tech company, nerd.
7. Ann Arbor, Michigan — University of Michigan
Why: Fall in A-Square is full of leaves changing colors, football, and coffee shops. Aka it’s a basic bitch’s heaven.
8. Grand Forks, North Dakota — University of North Dakota
Why: There’s a low unemployment rate, and the perfect place to wife up to a hockey husband.
9. Ames, Iowa — Iowa State University
Why: It’s safe, its economy is growing, and it’s probably a good place to hide out if you’re in the Witness Protection Program.
10. Madison, Wisconsin — University of Wisconsin
Why: They got spirit – and rightfully so because they’re one of the best schools in the country.
