2024 Colleges With the Best Student Life

When it comes to college, most students want to find ways to make the best out of their experience. While having a good time and making a good impression on their professors is important, the quality of life a college student has can be significantly affected by more than grades and partying.

What Most Impacts the Quality of Life of College Students?

As precisely detailed in our methodology for ranking colleges by quality of student life, there are a number of factors that affect the overall quality of life for students.

First, the quality of a college student’s life is often determined by the college or university they attend. A school with great academics, ample financial aid, and diverse student population can be very attractive to incoming and current students. This can ultimately lead to increased levels of satisfaction and productivity. Additionally, a college with a great location can provide students with access to the activities, restaurants and nightlife of the surrounding area, helping them get the most out of their college life.

Second, the quality of a college student’s life is also determined by the living arrangements and lifestyle they adopt. Students who live on-campus or in college-affiliated housing enjoy an increased sense of community, exposure to resources and facilities, and a guaranteed roommate and roommate agreement. That “unity” though doesn’t always come without a cost, it can be hard to get away from the college vibe when you’re needing an outlet. On the other hand, students who live off-campus may enjoy more freedom and privacy, but they need to carefully consider their living arrangements to ensure that their location meets their needs - particularly since there is no overseeing body to ensure the quality and maintenance of the off-campus housing.

Finally, the quality of a college student’s life is determined by their social interactions. Students who develop quality friendships and relationships tend to find greater fulfillment in their college experience, and may sometimes even be more productive, more driven, and more likely to enjoy a higher quality of life. A lack of meaningful social interactions can also take its toll on a college student’s mental and emotional health. Therefore, it is important for college students to have a network of supportive friends and peers to help them stay motivated and energized for their collegiate experience. It’s often said that college really is what you make it, so please take heed.

What Colleges Have The Best Student Life?

Cornell University

Grabbing the #1 spot for best student life is Cornell University. This is no small part due to the campus location, as it sits in Ithaca (New York) and provides access to both a rich cultural scene but also easy access to exceptional outdoor activities such as Robert Treman State Park and Buttermilk Falls State Park - both incredible vistas and quite accessible. The school accepts just 11% of students, so it won't necessarily be easy to gain entry (it's an Ivy League school after all), but does still have nearly 25,000 students - so regarding your social interactions - if you can be outgoing you're sure to find unique personalities and friendships that may just last a lifetime. It's also worth noting, Cornell ranks as the 11th best college overall and carries one of the most expensive price tags in all of America, clocking in at $56,550 per year.

Barnard College

At the #2 spot for best student life is Barnard College. This private women's college benefits from being situated in the always bustling New York City - a gathering of cultures from all walks of life, and some of the best music, dining, and nightlife scenes available anywhere worldwide. The school has a similar acceptance rate to Cornell - as it accepts 12% of applicants, but with a student body of less than 2,800 (far less than the large majority of undergraduate colleges), which means it provides an especially intimate educational experience like few schools can. Despite the smaller population, Barnard College still holds its own and achieves a #31 overall college ranking, a notable feat from such a small private college. Student's looking to attend can expect a very, very hefty tuition fee of $55,781 - so we recommend hustling after scholarships as best you can.

Georgetown University

Finishing at #3 is Georgetown University. The school is situated in our nation's capital of Washington, D.C. - which has its own unique historical, cultural, and political environment. Downtown D.C. also has a plethora of restaurants, site-seeing, and nightlife for students to explore and engage in. At the same time, having a student population of over 22,000 does allow for plenty of diverse social activity and should allow students to find individuals with similar passions or interests. Just 14% of students are accepted every year, so admission can be tough, but the prestigious university still deserves its #13 rank, but that rank comes with a heavy cost, in fact annual tuition is a whopping $55,440 per year. So although the student life can be exceptional, be careful not to overlook the financial planning necessary to make a Georgetown education a reality.

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Next in line is the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. This historically renowned university has the largest student body at 48,218 and an acceptance rate of 23% - which, compared to the other top schools, is quite expansive though still highly competitive. With access to the Midwest and Tri-State area, Ann Arbor has a lot to offer in terms of sightseeing, culture, and dining (and even sports). The University's educational offerings are top notch, as shown by its #37 overall college ranking, and its tuition of $50,872 per year makes a Michigan-Ann Arbor education truly realistic for many students.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Last but certainly not least, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill takes the #5 spot for best student life. Located in the charming metropolis of Chapel Hill, NC - this university is also quite large with its 32,346 students and an acceptance rate of 23%. It offers a great combination of small town living with access to larger cities such as Greensboro, Raleigh, and Durham. It's also within 2 hours of the Appalachian Mountains and Atlantic Coast, so that the region provides plenty of opportunities for the outdoor lover. UNC Chapel Hill also boasts a strong ranking at #64 among other universities, and its tuition of only $34,198 certainly makes it one of the more economical choices available, at least when compared to the other top-ranked schools on this list.

How Can I Choose the College That Offers the Best Student Life?

As explained, there’s no one trick to find the perfect college for this topic, or any other. In the case of student quality of life, we deeply encourage all prospective students to spend significant amounts of time wandering around potential campuses, hang out on a Friday night downtown to see what the scene is like, and talk, talk, talk to students and citizens in the surrounding area - they can hold gems of wisdom that aren’t found in any guidebook or ranking list anywhere in the world.

Ultimately, the quality of a college student’s life is dependent on making the right decisions about the college and university they attend, the lifestyle they adopt, and their social networks. While it is important to make sure grades and academic performance are met, these topics should not be the only determinant of college success. It is important to focus on the factors that have the most impact on creating a high quality and enriching college experience.