Choosing a university is a major life decision. There are many aspects of a university beyond academics to think about before deciding to enrol there, such as financial aid, sports, and student life. We would argue, though, that location is crucial, since this is the area you will be calling home for at least a few years.

College towns are residential areas heavily affected by local colleges and universities. This not only changes the age distribution of the town's population (if the college in question has a large number of football fans, for example), but also its culture phrazle and social life. There is less concentrated school loyalty in areas with many colleges and universities, but there is still enough of a young population to keep up with the times and attract major musical artists.

We consider a city or town to be ideal for college students if it provides a wide range of options for learning, working, socialising, and exploring the natural world nearby. If you're a prospective student in the United States, here are 25 of the top college cities to check out.

Greater Boston Area

Students populate every corner of Massachusetts's state capitol. It's no exaggeration to call Boston one of the smartest cities in America; the area is home to 35 different types of higher education institutions, including the illustrious Harvard, MIT, BU, and NECU. Smaller colleges, such as the Berklee College of Music or Emerson College, which is conveniently situated on Boston Common, allow students to concentrate on more specialised and creative areas of study. Boston is a diverse city where students may meet professionals from a wide range of fields and where interning in local offices of large corporations like GE, Converse, IBM, and others is a real possibility.

City of Lynchburg, Virginia

This ancient city is spread amid rolling hills and is adored for its accessibility and its six universities, the biggest of which being Lynchburg University. While not working, you may go for a trip through the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains or ride your bike along one of the numerous paths that make up the urban trail system.

Madison, Wis

Madison is a great spot to enjoy the outdoors, with over 200 miles of bike trails and a wide variety of water-based pursuits. Madison is home to the University of Wisconsin and has a vibrant culinary culture with spots like The Harvey House, a hip eatery housed in a renovated railway station and paying tribute to the Midwest's legacy of supper clubs.

The City of Tuscaloosa, AL

Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the site of the University of Alabama, is a natural addition to this collection. The university is the hub of the community, and sporting events are a lot of fun to attend with friends or family. Weekends in Alabama may be spent exploring the state's rich history and spirit on a musically-inspired road trip, or relaxing on the Gulf Coast.