The 20 best college towns where life revolves around their universities, ranked

Ann Arbor, Michigan, is the best college town in the US. Sean Pavone/Getty Images College towns offer unique student experiences that set them apart from big cities. For many, large research universities anchor the local economy and culture. Ann Arbor tops the list of best college towns, driven by the University of Michigan's rich culture. For many students, college is a time filled with rigorous classes, internship applications , and energy-drink-filled all-nighters . College towns often offer a unique experience that helps these students manage flourishing social lives and hobbies alongside their academic careers. Business Insider looked at some of the cities and towns across America where students can thrive , and compiled a list that best matches the loose definition of a college town. To do so, we used data from the Census Bureau's latest population estimates and from WalletHub's 2025 ranking of the best college towns.