With college application season in full swing and student living expenses reaching over $36,000 per year in some regions, WalletHub today released its report on the Best & Worst College Towns in America for 2025, as well as expert commentary, to help college-bound students find the most cost-effective and fun places to pursue higher education. This report is a follow-up to WalletHub’s College & University Rankings.
| Best Large College Towns |
| 1. Austin, TX |
| 2. Orlando, FL |
| 3. Tampa, FL |
| 4. Raleigh, NC |
| 5. Atlanta, GA |
| 6. Phoenix, AZ |
| 7. Miami, FL |
| 8. Sacramento, CA |
| 9. Pittsburgh, PA |
| 10. San Diego, CA
Best Midsize College Towns Best Small College Towns |
Note: For simplicity, we used the term “Towns” to refer to both cities and towns.
