The Most Fun College in America, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the college you think is the most fun!

Updated on Apr 25, 2024 06:27

Choosing the right college isn't just about academic rankings and job prospects—it's also about the fun and vibrancy of campus life. Many students consider the social climate, community engagement, and extracurricular activities as pivotal to their overall college experience. A lively campus can significantly enhance student life, making the collegiate years not only educational but also enjoyable and truly memorable. By participating in this dynamic ranking, users provide valuable insights based on their firsthand experiences or through the experiences shared by friends and family. Each vote helps to paint a clearer picture of where the spirit and enthusiasm of a college community really stand out. This collective input drives a continuously updated leaderboard, reflecting real-time changes and current opinions.

What Is the Most Fun College in America?

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44
votes
University of Wisconsin-Madison

State of Wisconsin

Known for its vibrant social scene, its famous Halloween party and the annual Mifflin Street Block Party, and its lively sports culture.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. It is known for its vibrant campus life, academic excellence, and diverse range of programs. With a strong emphasis on both academics and extracurricular activities, UW-Madison offers students a rich and fun college experience.

Established: 1848

Total enrollment: 45,317

Campus size: 936 acres

Number of undergraduate programs: 132

Number of graduate programs: 151
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29
votes
Coolcaesar · CC BY-SA 4.0

University of California, Santa Barbara

Located in a beautiful beach town, UCSB is known for its party atmosphere, beach parties, and popular events such as Deltopia and Extravaganza.
The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is a public research university located in Santa Barbara, California. It was established in 1891 and is part of the prestigious University of California system. Known for its beautiful coastal campus and vibrant student life, UCSB offers a range of academic programs across various disciplines.

Location: Santa Barbara, California

Year Established: 1891

Type: Public Research University

Affiliation: University of California System

Campus: Coastal
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23
votes
University of Florida

Stephen C. O'Connell

With its sunny weather, lively nightlife, and strong athletic program, UF is known for its tailgate parties, Gator Growl, and the famous Swamp.
The University of Florida, commonly known as UF, is a prestigious public research university located in Gainesville, Florida. It was founded in 1853 and is one of the most fun and spirited colleges in America, known for its vibrant campus life and engaging student activities.

Location: Gainesville, Florida

Foundation Year: 1853

Type: Public research university

Campus Size: approximately 2,000 acres

Mascot: Albert and Alberta Gator
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15
votes
Infrogmation of New Orleans · CC BY-SA 3.0

Tulane University

Paul Tulane

Located in New Orleans, Tulane is known for its Mardi Gras celebrations, jazz music scene, and lively party culture.
Tulane University is a private research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana. Known for its vibrant and lively campus culture, Tulane offers a unique blend of academic excellence, community engagement, and a rich cultural experience for its students.

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

Type: Private research university

Campus Culture: Vibrant and lively

Academic Excellence: Highly regarded programs

Community Engagement: Emphasis on service and involvement
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24
votes
MECU (MECU≈talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0

University of Colorado Boulder

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, CU Boulder offers a unique outdoor adventure culture, with skiing, hiking, and mountain biking, as well as a lively party scene.
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado. It is renowned for its stunning campus nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains, offering a vibrant and outdoor-centric college experience. The university is committed to providing excellent education, fostering innovation, and shaping future leaders in various fields.

Location: Boulder, Colorado

Founded: 1876

Campus Size: 786 acres

Student Enrollment: Approximately 35,000 undergraduate and graduate students

Academic Colleges and Schools: 9 colleges and schools
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12
votes
University of Texas at Austin

With its iconic football program, vibrant music scene, and legendary Sixth Street party district, UT Austin is a fun and lively college experience.
The University of Texas at Austin is a public research university located in Austin, Texas. It is known for its vibrant campus life, strong academic programs, and rich cultural offerings. Students at UT Austin have the opportunity to engage in a wide range of activities, including participating in over 1,300 student organizations, exploring the bustling music scene in Austin, and enjoying the city's outdoor attractions such as hiking and water sports.

Location: Austin, Texas

Type: Public research university

Campus Size: 434 acres

Enrollment: Over 50,000 undergraduate and graduate students

Academic Programs: Over 170 fields of study across various disciplines
University of Texas at Austin in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most fun college in Texas
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9
votes
George Chriss · CC BY 2.5

Pennsylvania State University

With its huge student body and lively campus culture, Penn State is known for its tailgate parties, the annual Penn State Dance Marathon, and the famous Creamery ice cream.
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State, is a prestigious public research university located in State College, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1855 as Farmer's High School, and it became the Pennsylvania State College in 1874 before receiving university status in 1953. With a sprawling campus spread over 8,556 acres, Penn State offers a vibrant and exciting college experience. Known for its strong academic programs, vibrant student life, and successful athletic teams, Penn State is often considered one of the most fun colleges in America.

Location: State College, Pennsylvania

Established: 1855

Campus Size: 8,556 acres

Academic Programs: Over 160 undergraduate majors and more than 200 graduate programs

Student Enrollment: Over 46,000 undergraduate students and approximately 7,000 graduate students
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12
votes
Gku · CC BY-SA 3.0

University of California, Berkeley

Located in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, UC Berkeley is known for its progressive politics, lively cultural scene, and student activism.
The University of California, Berkeley, commonly referred to as UC Berkeley, is a prestigious public research university located in Berkeley, California. Established in 1868, it is known for its academic excellence, vibrant campus life, and rich history of activism and social progress. UC Berkeley is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States and is widely recognized as one of the most prominent institutions for higher education.

Location: Berkeley, California

Year of Establishment: 1868

Type: Public

Ranking: Consistently ranked among top public universities

Mascot: Oski the Bear
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12
votes
University of Oregon

Known for its strong athletic program, beautiful campus, and lively party culture, the University of Oregon offers a fun and active college experience.
The University of Oregon is a public research university located in Eugene, Oregon. It is known for its vibrant campus culture, strong academic programs, and a wide range of recreational and athletic activities. With a beautiful setting surrounded by nature, the university provides a dynamic learning environment that encourages growth and exploration for its students.

Location: Eugene, Oregon

Year of Foundation: 1876

Campus Size: 295 acres

Undergraduate Enrollment: around 19,000

Graduate Enrollment: over 3,000
10

5
votes
The original uploader was Schwnj at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 2.5

Arizona State University

Arizona State Legislature

With its sunny weather, diverse student body, and lively party scene, ASU is known for its tailgate parties, the famous Mill Avenue district, and the annual ASU Undie Run.
Arizona State University is a prestigious public research university located in Tempe, Arizona. It is known for its innovative educational programs, highly ranked degree programs, and vibrant campus life. With over 80,000 students, ASU is one of the largest public universities in the United States.

Academic Excellence: ASU offers more than 800 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across various disciplines, including business, engineering, sciences, arts, and humanities.

State-of-the-art Facilities: The university boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including modern classrooms, research centers, laboratories, libraries, athletic facilities, and residence halls.

Tempe Campus: ASU's main campus is located in Tempe, Arizona, which provides students with a beautiful desert setting and a thriving college atmosphere.

Diverse Student Body: ASU attracts a diverse student body from all 50 states and more than 150 countries, fostering a globally engaging learning environment.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship: ASU promotes innovation and entrepreneurship through its various business incubators, startup accelerators, and collaborative research initiatives.

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Discussion

Ranking factors for fun college

Academic Programs and Flexibility

The variety, quality, and flexibility of academic programs offered are significant factors in determining how enjoyable the college experience will be for students. This includes the presence of top-notch faculty, opportunities for research and internships, unique majors and interdisciplinary programs, and support for students who are undecided about their major.
Campus Life and Activities

A vibrant campus life and a diverse range of activities, clubs, and organizations contribute to a fun college experience. This includes sports teams, intramural and club sports, fraternities and sororities, theater and arts organizations, student government, and volunteer opportunities.
Social Scene

A dynamic social scene can make a college more enjoyable for students. This can include how active the party scene is, as well as the overall atmosphere on campus and in surrounding areas, the variety of social events, and students' interactions with their peers.
Location and Surrounding Area

A college's geographic location plays a significant role in the overall experience. Factors such as proximity to a city with various entertainment options, access to outdoor activities, and the comfort offered by the college town can all make a difference.
Campus Facilities and Resources

A college's facilities, such as residence halls, dining options, recreation centers, and libraries, can affect the overall experience. These resources should provide students with comfortable and accessible spaces that help facilitate success and enjoyment.
Diversity and Inclusivity

Colleges that prioritize diversity, inclusivity, and a sense of community often create a fun and comfortable environment where all students can flourish. This includes support for different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, as well as various gender and sexual identities.
College Reputation

The overall reputation of the college, including its rank, can influence how prestigious and enjoyable the college experience is for students.
Financial Aid and Affordability

The availability of financial aid, scholarships, and reasonable tuition fees is crucial in reducing the burden of college costs, which can impact students' sense of enjoyment and satisfaction.
Study Abroad Opportunities

Colleges that provide students with the option to study abroad can offer a unique and fun experience, as students can immerse themselves in a different culture and explore the world.
Alumni Network and Post-Graduation Opportunities

A strong alumni network can better connect students with potential job opportunities, internships, and support throughout their college experience and post-graduation. This can help contribute to a more enjoyable experience, knowing that there is long-term value in the education.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most fun college in America. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or college is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2188 views
181 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each college once every 24 hours. The rank of each college is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most fun college in america

When it comes to choosing a college, there are many factors to consider. While academics and career prospects may be at the top of the list for some, others may prioritize the social scene and overall fun factor. With so many colleges to choose from in America, it can be overwhelming to determine which ones are the most enjoyable. From party schools to sports-crazed universities, there are plenty of options for students seeking a lively college experience. In this article, we will explore some of the most fun colleges in America and what makes them stand out in terms of their social scene and extracurricular activities. Whether you're looking to join a fraternity or sorority, attend epic tailgates, or simply make memories with lifelong friends, we've got you covered.