It’s necessary to know the rankings of college towns in America if you are going to choose one suitable college town for yourself. Living in a better university town can significantly impact a student’s overall university experience. For many, it’s not only about the quality of education but also about the environment in which they will spend several formative years. Join us and explore some of the worst college towns in the United States.
Which College Town is Best for You?
Which college town is right for you? It all depends on what you’re looking for. Consider questions like the ones below.
- Do you want to stay close to home or go as far away as a plane will take you?
- Do you prefer a big city or a close-knit community?
- Would you like great job prospects after graduation or a prestigious education at a well-known school?
- Have you compared the in-state costs with out-of-state costs?
- Do you think security is an important factor when choosing universities and college towns?
Affordability is a crucial factor for many families. Public college costs are usually more affordable for in-state students than for out-of-state students. Besides, For students who are concerned about their career development, paying more attention to the majors colleges offer is more important. As we all know, the best college towns can provide more opportunities for students to secure internships or full-time employment. When choosing college towns you like, comprehensively consider the factors above and make wise decisions for yourself.
What Are the Worst College Towns in the US?
To determine how good or bad U.S. college towns are, WalletHub investigated 415 college towns from three key dimensions: 1) cost of living, 2) social environment, and 3) academic and career opportunities. Here, we choose some of the worst college towns on most people’s radar to introduce for your reference.
| College Town | Overall Score | Cost of Living Ranking | Social Environment Ranking | Academic and Career Opportunities Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Los Angeles, CA | 34.89 | 340 | 413 | 273 |
| Germantown, MD | 35.56 | 367 | 411 | 162 |
| New Rochelle, NY | 35.82 | 393 | 287 | 295 |
| Isla Vista, CA | 36.9 | 309 | 102 | 412 |
| Newton, MA | 37.05 | 415 | 355 | 134 |
| Yonkers, NY | 34.22 | 383 | 354 | 175 |
| Daly City, CA | 37.66 | 403 | 352 | 125 |
| Compton, CA | 37.8 | 307 | 412 | 205 |
| Miami Gardens, FL | 37.91 | 293 | 409 | 299 |
| Stony Brook, NY | 38.18 | 355 | 120 | 387 |
1. East Los Angeles, CA
East Los Angeles is a district in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The most recent data from the 2020 census put the population at 118,786, a decrease of 6.1% compared to 126,496 in 2010. In East Los Angeles, the concentration of Hispanics/Latinos is 95.16%, the highest of any city or census-designated area in the United States outside Puerto Rico.
East Los Angeles College (ELAC) was part of East Los Angeles before it was annexed by the City of Monterey Park in the early 1970s. Like Miami Gardens, this area has a high minority population, a poor social environment, and a relatively high cost of living.
2. Germantown, MD
Germantown is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland, with a population of 91,249 as of the 2020 census. This makes it the third most populous place in Maryland after Baltimore and Columbia. Germantown is located about 45 kilometres outside Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, and is an important part of the Washington metropolitan area.
Montgomery College is the largest institution of higher education in Montgomery County, with its largest campus located in Germantown, on Observation Drive, not far from downtown. Germantown is not far from Baltimore, which is famous for its bad security. Therefore, the social environment ranking is low in accordance with expectations. Though the cost of living is not low, there are still more academic and career opportunities.
3. New Rochelle, NY
New Rochelle is a city in Westchester County, New York, a suburb of New York City, about 27 km from Midtown Manhattan. According to the 2020 census, the city has a population of 79,726, making it the seventh-largest city in New York and the 22nd-largest city by population. A famous attraction in New Rochelle is “New Roc City”, with numerous restaurants and entertainment venues.
New Rochelle is home to several higher education institutions, including The College of New Rochelle, Iona University, and Monroe College.
- The College of New Rochelle was once the largest Catholic College for women in the United States. Founded by the Ursuline sisters, it was acquired by Mercy College in 2019.
- Iona University is a Catholic College founded by the Christian Brother.
- Monroe College offers a professional, career-oriented and business-focused education.
However, the college town fared worst in terms of cost of living, social environment, and academic and career opportunities.
4. Isla Vista, CA
Isla Vista is on a flat plateau about 30 feet above sea level, separated from the beach only by a bluff. As of the 2020 census, the community has a population of 15,500. Most residents here are college students from UC Santa Barbara or Santa Barbara City College.
Because Isla Vista is located on the southern coast of Santa Barbara County, and its housing prices in the community are among the highest in the nation. Many students share dense housing with Hispanic workers. Besides, the neighbourhood is also home to the Santa Barbara Student Housing Coop and the Isla Vista Food Coop. Although the landscape is impressive and the social environment is good, the cost of living is a burden to most people, and there are few opportunities to make money.
5. Newton, MA
Newton is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, located about 7 miles west of downtown Boston. It comprises 13 villages and has several landmarks like the Charles River and Crystal Lake. According to the 2020 United States Census, Newton’s population is 88,923.
Newton also has several universities, including Boston College, Boston College Law School, Hebrew College, Russell University, Amherst Mount Ada Campus, and William James College. It is not far from Boston so that students can access many academic and professional opportunities, but Newton suffers in the cost of living and social environment.
6. Yonkers, NY
Yonkers is a suburb of the metropolitan area of New York. It is about 4 km away from north of Marble Hill, which is the northernmost point of Manhattan. Yonkers’ population is 211,569 as of the 2020 census.
Sarah Lawrence College is located in Yonkers, and Westchester Community College (part of the State University of New York System) has multiple promotion centres in Yonkers, the largest of which is located at the Cross County Mall. Because of its proximity to Manhattan, the college town can provide many academic and career opportunities but scores poorly in the other two categories.
7. Daly City, CA
Daly City’s proximity to San Francisco provides a wealth of cultural, professional, and recreational opportunities that could enhance the university experience. However, the combination of high living costs and a less-than-ideal student environment makes Daly City a challenging place for many students to thrive.
The cost of living, especially housing expenses, can be a considerable burden for students, as rent prices are influenced by its proximity to San Francisco. Additionally, Daly City is more suburban, with limited nightlife and social opportunities tailored specifically for the student demographic.
8. Compton, CA
Compton is a city in the Southern Gateway Urban area of Los Angeles County, California. It is one of the oldest cities in the county, with a total population of 95,740 as of the 2020 census. Due to its location in Los Angeles, it is known as a “hub city.”
Compton College offers community college programs for students planning to enter a four-year degree program. It is also friendly for students seeking further education in a specific trade field. From the three dimensions, we can see that although academic and career opportunities in the college town are not too scarce, the cost of living is high, and the social environment is not good.
9. Miami Gardens, FL
The city’s name is derived from Florida State Route 860, a major road through the area, also known as Miami Gardens Avenue. Miami Gardens is a city in north-central Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States, located 26 km north of downtown Miami. As of 2020, Miami Gardens is the most populous city in Florida, with 111,640 people, according to the 2020 census.
The college town is home to St. Thomas University and Florida Memorial University. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than half the people in the college town are African American, with the highest percentage of African Americans in Florida (66.97%). Therefore, the social environment is not that ideal.
10. Stony Brook, NY
Stony Brook is a small village located in Brookhaven in Suffolk County, New York, on the north shore of Long Island. In colonial times, this small village was an agricultural enclave, grew into a resort town, and developed into one of Long Island’s major tourist towns and educational centres today.
The college town is home to the main campus of Stony Brook University, the largest public university in New York, and the Stony Brook School, a private college preparatory school, as well as the Long Island Museum of American Art, History, and Carriage. The cost of living in Stony Brook is high, and the social environment is not bad, but students can enjoy fewer academic and career opportunities here.
Conclusion
Each college town offers more or less opportunities and experiences. Certain towns like Daly City present significant challenges for students. The high cost of living, lack of a vibrant student community, and limited public transportation may not be the best choice for students pursuing a wonderful college experience. Selecting the right college town is about finding a place where students can not only pursue their educational goals but also thrive in a nurturing and engaging community. Therefore, prospective students must weigh important factors carefully and consider whether such college towns align with their personal and academic needs.
FAQ
What are the top 10 college towns in the US?
According to the investigation of Wallethub in 2024, the top 10 college towns are as follows:
- Austin, TX
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Orlando, FL
- Tampa, FL
- Scottsdale, AZ
- Las Vegas, NV
- Charlottesville, VA
- Gainesville, FL
- Raleigh, NC
- Atlanta, GA
What is considered a college town?
A college town, also called a university town, is a community formed around universities and other higher education institutions. It embodies a unique ecosystem where the presence of a university profoundly shapes the local culture, economy, and lifestyle.
Is Chicago a college town?
No.
Usually, traditional college towns are smaller and revolve around a single university. Though Chicago is a sprawling metropolis with multiple institutions of higher learning, such as the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and DePaul University, it does not fit the traditional mould of a college town.
