Michigan Town Makes Top 3 List for Best College Towns
Besides granting degrees, colleges and universities also significantly influence the social and economic landscape of their host cities and towns. Areas heavily impacted by local colleges and universities are commonly…
Besides granting degrees, colleges and universities also significantly influence the social and economic landscape of their host cities and towns. Areas heavily impacted by local colleges and universities are commonly referred to as college towns. They tend to offer affordability, a rich cultural scene, a strong economic activity, and a diverse, well-educated population.
WalletHub, a financial advisor website, released a list of the best college towns and cities. They evaluated over 400 cities in the United States, both big and small, using 32 essential criteria to assess students' academic, social, and economic prospects. Their data included factors like living expenses, the quality of higher education, and the crime rate.
"Experts have argued that a school’s geographical location is just as important as a strong curriculum and supportive school environment to a student’s academic success and personal development," WalletHub stated in the rankings release. "It’s in students’ interest to live in a city with a reasonable cost of living, as well as one that provides good academic and work opportunities. The ideal city should also provide a fun social environment to help students deal with the stress of college."
A Michigan town ranks in the top 3.
Ann Arbor claims the second spot in the rankings, falling below Austin, Texas. The University of Michigan's hometown got good marks (so to speak) in the academic and economic opportunities categories. It also did well in terms of affordability and social environment.
These rankings examine tuition costs, student debt, housing expenses, city accessibility, student demographics, NCAA Division 1 sports teams, graduate earning potential, and entrepreneurial activity.
Several other Michigan cities and towns also earned a spot on the list. These places include East Lansing at 142nd, Grand Rapids at 189th, Kalamazoo at 223rd, Dearborn at 254th, Mount Pleasant at 280th, Ypsilanti at 300th, Sterling Heights at 303rd, Lansing at 384th, and Flint at 415th.
Check out the full list to see where other cities stand in the rankings here.
