The best college town or city for students in every US state

Austin, Texas, was ranked as the best college town in the US in a WalletHub study. CRobertson/Getty Images A WalletHub study ranked over 400 college locations across the US. It ranked college towns and larger cities on affordability, social scene, and academic prospects. Austin was ranked as the best place for students in the US, with Ann Arbor and Orlando following. Where a student attends college can shape their experience as much as academics, athletics, and campus life do. Beyond being the backdrop for college memories, a school's setting often determines what students do outside class and the opportunities and experiences they have access to as they pursue their degrees. In a study released last October, WalletHub analyzed more than 400 college towns across the US — defined as cities with college populations over 7,500 students — in three categories: wallet-friendliness, social environment, and academic and economic opportunity .