College Towns & Cities in the USA

1. Greenville, SC

There are several colleges and universities located in Greenville, including Bob Jones University, Furman University, Greenville Technical College, and North Greenville University.

The city has a beautiful history that is evident in its architecture and lovely bridges, and the nature surrounding it is just as gorgeous. There are wide, sweeping waterfalls framed by massive boulders, gardens full of seasonal plants and flowers, lakes, and hills, and many parks in and around the city, such as Paris Mountain State Park, located just north of Greenville, and Falls Park on the Reedy, which has beautiful and peaceful gardens.

2. Houston, TX

Houston is one of the most populous cities in the United States and are several colleges which are located in and around this huge city. The University of Houston, Rice University, Texas Southern University, Remington College, and Prairie View A&M University are just a few of the schools located here, and students who go to school in Houston will have one of the country’s most bustling metropolises at their fingertips for the duration of their education.

3. Ithaca, NY

Located in the central region of New York State known as the Finger Lakes, Ithaca is a small city at the southern end of Cayuga Lake, and it is home to both the top-ranked Cornell University and Ithaca College. Ithaca, NY is characterized by its dramatic, beautiful gorges (shops all over town sell “Ithaca is Gorges” merchandise), and it has two bustling downtown areas that are popular with students: Collegetown, which is on East Hill and mainly populated by Cornell students, and the Commons, which is Ithaca’s true downtown area.

The Commons are a pedestrian zone lined with shops, bars, and restaurants. There are also several gorgeous state parks in Ithaca, like Buttermilk Falls State Park, Taughannock Falls State Park, and Robert H. Treman State Park.

4. State College, PA

The main campus of Penn State University is located in the small community of State College. This vibrant college town is home to plentiful accommodations for visiting families or sports fans, a diverse selection of shopping opportunities, great restaurants to satisfy even the most discerning tastes and cravings, and an exciting nightlife scene that older students will enjoy.

State College has a nickname—Happy Valley—which comes from the fact that the community was widely sheltered from the devastation of the Great Depression.

It’s a title that they hold onto today as a fun and vibrant little college town with a fiercely loyal group of residents who love their home.

5. Williamsburg, VA

When it comes to early America, Williamsburg is one of the most historic cities there is. For a long time, Williamsburg was the capital of Virginia, and colonial Williamsburg, the historic heart of the city, is known worldwide for its incredibly well preserved architecture as well as for the living history museum, where actors dress in period-appropriate attire and show visitors what daily life would have been like in the Colonial era. The College of William and Mary is undoubtedly the most well known school in Williamsburg, and students who go there will delight in showing their friends and family members the timeless, classic allure of this beautiful city.

6. Amherst, MA

Amherst is home to three colleges—Amherst College, Hampshire College, and UMass Amherst.

These stately campuses each have their own history and charming personality, but all the students convene on downtown Amherst for its variety of shops, food, and nightlife. With amazing art galleries, boutiques, bookstores, and cafes where guests can sit with a laptop and a cup of tea for hours, and plenty of late night options for pizza, snacks, dancing, and drinks, Amherst is a fun town with something for everyone.

The historic downtown has beautiful architecture and is lovingly decorated throughout the year with seasonal flowers and festive decor.

7. Angwin, CA

The town of Angwin isn’t a big town; in fact it’s downright tiny. But it’s home to Pacific Union College and it’s absolutely a gorgeous place. With Howell Mountain rising up in stately beauty, and hillsides filled with rows of grape vines as far as the eye can see, Angwin offers lots of opportunity for students as well as visiting parents and family members.

Taking a drive up The Hill will lead visitors and residents to Howell Mountain, where they can tour wineries like Burgess Cellars and Cade Winery for some great wines and breathtaking views of the Napa valley.

8. Bloomington, IL

Within 100 miles of Bloomington there are almost forty different colleges and universities, including Illinois Wesleyan University, Lincoln College, Heartland Community College, and several different campuses of the University of Illinois.

The city of Bloomington has a lot to offer students. Public transportation makes it easy to get to and from the city to other parts of the country or other areas within the city itself, and there’s always tons to do in Bloomington’s bustling downtown area.

With shops and malls, restaurants and bars, a constant stream of scheduled festivals and events, and even attractions like a local zoo, Bloomington offers its residents and visitors a full docket of fun attractions.

9. Bryn Mawr, PA

Located just a short drive from the booming metropolis that is Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr is named for the college of the same name. This beautiful and historic university features some amazing architecture and a peaceful, lovely campus atmosphere.

The college campus is located quite close to the town of Bryn Mawr, which has a lovely stretch of shops and restaurants along Lancaster Avenue and the surrounding streets.

College students can enjoy their free time at the local library, theater, shops, or restaurants, and there are plenty of places to show parents around.

Bryn Mawr also has a train station, which connects the college campus to Philadelphia and further west into the state of Pennsylvania.

10. Cambridge, MA

The city of Cambridge is located just across the river from Boston, and it’s home to several prestigious universities, the most famous of which being Harvard University. Cambridge is also home to MIT, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge College, Lesley University, and several other schools as well.

As the home of two of the premier universities in the country, Cambridge obviously has a vibrant college town and a beautiful, historic atmosphere, with easy access to Boston for even more fun. College students have been roaming the streets of Cambridge for centuries, with a wide selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, and attractions to discover, including a variety of places of huge historical interest.