The 50 Best College Small Towns in America

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 7,696 towns of 500–10,000 people in the U.S.. #1 is Sleepy Hollow, NY.

1. 50Hamilton, New York

   More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

   

   Hamilton is a village of 4,107 people in Madison County, New York. It also ranks better for young professionals than 100% of New York towns and hipper than 99% of New York towns.

   4,107 people · Madison County · median home $264,200 · income $66,750 · Jan low 11°F · 77 in snow

   Full Hamilton, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

2. 49Forty Fort, Pennsylvania

   More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

   Forty Fort is a borough of 4,239 people in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks more walkable than 91% of Pennsylvania towns and better for young professionals than 90% of Pennsylvania towns.

   4,239 people · Luzerne County · median home $173,000 · income $74,432 · Jan low 20°F · 45 in snow

   Full Forty Fort, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

3. 48Hancock, Michigan

   More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

   Hancock is a city of 4,501 people in Houghton County, Michigan. It also ranks hipper than 100% of Michigan towns and more vibrant than 98% of Michigan towns.

   4,501 people · Houghton County · median home $165,600 · income $59,519 · Jan low 9°F

   Full Hancock, Michigan profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

4. 47Bethel Manor, Virginia

   More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

   Bethel Manor is a community of 4,540 people in York County, Virginia. It also ranks more walkable than 99% of Virginia towns and better for young professionals than 89% of Virginia towns.

   4,540 people · York County · median home — · income $77,294 · Jan low 32°F · 3 in snow

   Full Bethel Manor, Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

5. 46Stone Park, Illinois

   More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

   Stone Park is a village of 4,576 people in Cook County, Illinois. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of Illinois towns and more walkable than 99% of Illinois towns.

   4,576 people · Cook County · median home $242,100 · income $67,224 · Jan low 19°F · 42 in snow

   Full Stone Park, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

6. 45Rutgers University-Busch Campus, New Jersey

   More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

   Rutgers University-Busch Campus is a community of 4,586 people in Middlesex County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for young professionals than 98% of New Jersey towns and better for a vacation home than 98% of New Jersey towns.

   4,586 people · Middlesex County · median home — · income — · Jan low 23°F · 29 in snow

   Full Rutgers University-Busch Campus, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

7. 44Lemoyne, Pennsylvania

   More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

   Lemoyne is a borough of 4,659 people in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks more vibrant than 99% of Pennsylvania towns and hipper than 98% of Pennsylvania towns.

   4,659 people · Cumberland County · median home $241,300 · income $62,086 · Jan low 22°F · 24 in snow

   Full Lemoyne, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

8. 43Ocean Bluff-Brant Rock, Massachusetts

   More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

   Ocean Bluff-Brant Rock is a community of 4,744 people in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. It also ranks more seaside character than 94% of Massachusetts towns and better for a vacation home than 92% of Massachusetts towns.

   4,744 people · Plymouth County · median home $554,000 · income $119,310 · Jan low 22°F · 38 in snow

   Full Ocean Bluff-Brant Rock, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

9. 42Annville, Pennsylvania

   More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

   Annville is a community of 4,759 people in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 98% of Pennsylvania towns and better for young professionals than 98% of Pennsylvania towns.

   4,759 people · Lebanon County · median home $199,200 · income $71,321 · Jan low 22°F · 24 in snow

   Full Annville, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

10. 41Randolph, Vermont

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Randolph is a town of 4,774 people in Orange County, Vermont. It also ranks better for young professionals than 96% of Vermont towns and better for retirees than 91% of Vermont towns.

    4,774 people · Orange County · median home $278,700 · income $76,758 · Jan low 7°F · 81 in snow

    Full Randolph, Vermont profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

11. 40Glen Head, New York

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Glen Head is a community of 4,837 people in Nassau County, New York. It also ranks better for families than 95% of New York towns and better transit than 94% of New York towns.

    4,837 people · Nassau County · median home $872,000 · income $138,465 · Jan low 27°F · 19 in snow

    Full Glen Head, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

12. 39Edinboro, Pennsylvania

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    

    Edinboro is a borough of 4,964 people in Erie County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks hipper than 100% of Pennsylvania towns and better for young professionals than 99% of Pennsylvania towns.

    4,964 people · Erie County · median home $222,700 · income $48,173 · Jan low 16°F · 104 in snow

    Full Edinboro, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

13. 38Collegeville, Pennsylvania

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Collegeville is a borough of 5,043 people in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks better for young professionals than 100% of Pennsylvania towns and more vibrant than 99% of Pennsylvania towns.

    5,043 people · Montgomery County · median home $443,000 · income $91,466 · Jan low 20°F · 13 in snow

    Full Collegeville, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

14. 37Highwood, Illinois

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Highwood is a city of 5,074 people in Lake County, Illinois. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of Illinois towns and more walkable than 99% of Illinois towns.

    5,074 people · Lake County · median home $405,400 · income $107,875 · Jan low 16°F · 34 in snow

    Full Highwood, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

15. 36Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Turtle Creek is a borough of 5,114 people in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks more walkable than 97% of Pennsylvania towns and hipper than 93% of Pennsylvania towns.

    5,114 people · Allegheny County · median home $84,900 · income $45,997 · Jan low 22°F · 25 in snow

    Full Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

16. 35Ampere North, New Jersey

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Ampere North is a community of 5,132 people in Essex County, New Jersey. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of New Jersey towns and better transit than 100% of New Jersey towns.

    5,132 people · Essex County · median home $365,600 · income $66,714 · Jan low 25°F · 28 in snow

    Full Ampere North, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

17. 34North Manchester, Indiana

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    

    North Manchester is a town of 5,277 people in Wabash County, Indiana. It also ranks better for first-time buyers than 99% of Indiana towns and hipper than 99% of Indiana towns.

    5,277 people · Wabash County · median home $138,200 · income $61,296 · Jan low 17°F · 30 in snow

    Full North Manchester, Indiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

18. 33Islip Terrace, New York

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Islip Terrace is a community of 5,323 people in Suffolk County, New York. It also ranks better for families than 98% of New York towns and better for first-time buyers than 93% of New York towns.

    5,323 people · Suffolk County · median home $519,200 · income $155,313 · Jan low 25°F · 32 in snow

    Full Islip Terrace, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

19. 32Union Beach, New Jersey

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Union Beach is a borough of 5,723 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey. It also ranks more seaside character than 97% of New Jersey towns and better for first-time buyers than 89% of New Jersey towns.

    5,723 people · Monmouth County · median home $460,900 · income $119,250 · Jan low 23°F · 27 in snow

    Full Union Beach, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

20. 31Spencer, Massachusetts

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Spencer is a community of 5,810 people in Worcester County, Massachusetts. It also ranks more walkable than 92% of Massachusetts towns and more vibrant than 88% of Massachusetts towns.

    5,810 people · Worcester County · median home $341,300 · income $59,931 · Jan low 17°F · 73 in snow

    Full Spencer, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

21. 30Hightstown, New Jersey

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Hightstown is a borough of 5,900 people in Mercer County, New Jersey. It also ranks more walkable than 84% of New Jersey towns and better for cycling than 75% of New Jersey towns.

    5,900 people · Mercer County · median home $342,600 · income $108,987 · Jan low 21°F · 24 in snow

    Full Hightstown, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

22. 29Glendale, Missouri

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Glendale is a city of 6,176 people in St. Louis County, Missouri. It also ranks better for families than 100% of Missouri towns and more upscale than 99% of Missouri towns.

    6,176 people · St. Louis County · median home $494,000 · income $170,700 · Jan low 25°F · 10 in snow

    Full Glendale, Missouri profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

23. 28Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    

    Swarthmore is a borough of 6,543 people in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks better for young professionals than 100% of Pennsylvania towns and more vibrant than 100% of Pennsylvania towns.

    6,543 people · Delaware County · median home $633,800 · income $152,361 · Jan low 26°F · 23 in snow

    Full Swarthmore, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

24. 27Bridgewater, Virginia

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Bridgewater is a town of 6,596 people in Rockingham County, Virginia. It also ranks hipper than 99% of Virginia towns and better for retirees than 95% of Virginia towns.

    6,596 people · Rockingham County · median home $384,700 · income $75,280 · Jan low 23°F · 19 in snow

    Full Bridgewater, Virginia profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

25. 26Rockaway, New Jersey

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Rockaway is a borough of 6,598 people in Morris County, New Jersey. It also ranks hipper than 94% of New Jersey towns and better for young professionals than 88% of New Jersey towns.

    6,598 people · Morris County · median home $448,100 · income $107,053 · Jan low 21°F · 27 in snow

    Full Rockaway, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

26. 25Bronxville, New York

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    

    Bronxville is a village of 6,656 people in Westchester County, New York. It also ranks more walkable than 99% of New York towns and more upscale than 98% of New York towns.

    6,656 people · Westchester County · median home $1,095,100 · income $215,815 · Jan low 23°F · 33 in snow

    Full Bronxville, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

27. 24North Patchogue, New York

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    North Patchogue is a community of 6,751 people in Suffolk County, New York. It also ranks better for families than 93% of New York towns and better for first-time buyers than 92% of New York towns.

    6,751 people · Suffolk County · median home $450,600 · income $107,695 · Jan low 25°F · 32 in snow

    Full North Patchogue, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

28. 23University at Buffalo, New York

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    University at Buffalo is a community of 6,798 people in Erie County, New York. It also ranks better transit than 98% of New York towns and more vibrant than 94% of New York towns.

    6,798 people · Erie County · median home — · income — · Jan low 19°F · 95 in snow

    Full University at Buffalo, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

29. 22Kentfield, California

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Kentfield is a community of 6,808 people in Marin County, California. It also ranks better for families than 97% of California towns and more upscale than 97% of California towns.

    6,808 people · Marin County · median home $2,000,001 · income $249,896 · Jan low 42°F · 0 in snow

    Full Kentfield, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

30. 21Tuckahoe, New York

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Tuckahoe is a village of 7,084 people in Westchester County, New York. It also ranks hipper than 100% of New York towns and more walkable than 99% of New York towns.

    7,084 people · Westchester County · median home $621,300 · income $104,375 · Jan low 23°F · 33 in snow

    Full Tuckahoe, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

31. 20Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Gettysburg is a borough of 7,106 people in Adams County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks better for young professionals than 98% of Pennsylvania towns and hipper than 98% of Pennsylvania towns.

    7,106 people · Adams County · median home $241,500 · income $54,365 · Jan low 21°F · 27 in snow

    Full Gettysburg, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

32. 19Stickney, Illinois

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Stickney is a village of 7,110 people in Cook County, Illinois. It also ranks more walkable than 96% of Illinois towns and more vibrant than 94% of Illinois towns.

    7,110 people · Cook County · median home $244,900 · income $66,942 · Jan low 19°F · 39 in snow

    Full Stickney, Illinois profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

33. 18Notre Dame, Indiana

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    

    Notre Dame is a community of 7,234 people in St. Joseph County, Indiana. It also ranks better for young professionals than 100% of Indiana towns and hipper than 100% of Indiana towns.

    7,234 people · St. Joseph County · median home — · income $19,886 · Jan low 17°F · 65 in snow

    Full Notre Dame, Indiana profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

34. 17Emerson, New Jersey

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Emerson is a borough of 7,290 people in Bergen County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for families than 93% of New Jersey towns and better transit than 93% of New Jersey towns.

    7,290 people · Bergen County · median home $645,200 · income $155,536 · Jan low 26°F · 31 in snow

    Full Emerson, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

35. 16Washington, New Jersey

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Washington is a borough of 7,299 people in Warren County, New Jersey. It also ranks hipper than 97% of New Jersey towns and better for first-time buyers than 90% of New Jersey towns.

    7,299 people · Warren County · median home $263,300 · income $81,336 · Jan low 18°F · 23 in snow

    Full Washington, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

36. 15Pelham, New York

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Pelham is a village of 7,326 people in Westchester County, New York. It also ranks more walkable than 100% of New York towns and more vibrant than 98% of New York towns.

    7,326 people · Westchester County · median home $915,800 · income $184,375 · Jan low 27°F · 33 in snow

    Full Pelham, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

37. 14West Point, New York

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    West Point is a community of 7,341 people in Orange County, New York. It also ranks better for young professionals than 100% of New York towns and better for cycling than 98% of New York towns.

    7,341 people · Orange County · median home — · income $135,333 · Jan low 21°F · 36 in snow

    Full West Point, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

38. 13Cedarhurst, New York

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Cedarhurst is a village of 7,374 people in Nassau County, New York. It also ranks more vibrant than 100% of New York towns and more walkable than 99% of New York towns.

    7,374 people · Nassau County · median home $861,900 · income $101,572 · Jan low 26°F · 26 in snow

    Full Cedarhurst, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

39. 12Hickam Housing, Hawaii

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Hickam Housing is a community of 7,581 people in Honolulu County, Hawaii. It also ranks more walkable than 96% of Hawaii towns and better for young professionals than 96% of Hawaii towns.

    7,581 people · Honolulu County · median home — · income $121,667 · Jan low 67°F · 0 in snow

    Full Hickam Housing, Hawaii profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

40. 11Williston Park, New York

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Williston Park is a village of 7,591 people in Nassau County, New York. It also ranks more walkable than 100% of New York towns and better transit than 100% of New York towns.

    7,591 people · Nassau County · median home $739,800 · income $156,382 · Jan low 27°F · 19 in snow

    Full Williston Park, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

41. 10Raritan, New Jersey

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Raritan is a borough of 7,835 people in Somerset County, New Jersey. It also ranks more vibrant than 93% of New Jersey towns and better for young professionals than 90% of New Jersey towns.

    7,835 people · Somerset County · median home $456,900 · income $107,672 · Jan low 19°F · 21 in snow

    Full Raritan, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

42. 9Clinton, Massachusetts

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Clinton is a community of 8,166 people in Worcester County, Massachusetts. It also ranks more vibrant than 95% of Massachusetts towns and more walkable than 94% of Massachusetts towns.

    8,166 people · Worcester County · median home $375,600 · income $79,516 · Jan low 16°F · 66 in snow

    Full Clinton, Massachusetts profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

43. 8Villanova, Pennsylvania

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Villanova is a community of 8,213 people in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. It also ranks better for young professionals than 100% of Pennsylvania towns and better transit than 99% of Pennsylvania towns.

    8,213 people · Delaware County · median home $946,400 · income $250,001 · Jan low 23°F · 8 in snow

    Full Villanova, Pennsylvania profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

44. 7Pitman, New Jersey

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Pitman is a borough of 8,780 people in Gloucester County, New Jersey. It also ranks hipper than 96% of New Jersey towns and more walkable than 83% of New Jersey towns.

    8,780 people · Gloucester County · median home $279,300 · income $98,489 · Jan low 26°F · 22 in snow

    Full Pitman, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

45. 6Park Ridge, New Jersey

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Park Ridge is a borough of 8,883 people in Bergen County, New Jersey. It also ranks better transit than 96% of New Jersey towns and better for retirees than 84% of New Jersey towns.

    8,883 people · Bergen County · median home $706,200 · income $171,029 · Jan low 23°F · 33 in snow

    Full Park Ridge, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

46. 5North Haledon, New Jersey

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    

    North Haledon is a borough of 8,927 people in Passaic County, New Jersey. It also ranks better for families than 77% of New Jersey towns and more walkable than 71% of New Jersey towns.

    8,927 people · Passaic County · median home $547,600 · income $125,313 · Jan low 23°F · 28 in snow

    Full North Haledon, New Jersey profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

47. 4Hanover, New Hampshire

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Hanover is a community of 9,078 people in Grafton County, New Hampshire. It also ranks better for young professionals than 100% of New Hampshire towns and better for cycling than 100% of New Hampshire towns.

    9,078 people · Grafton County · median home $842,600 · income $153,281 · Jan low 13°F · 61 in snow

    Full Hanover, New Hampshire profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

48. 3New Square, New York

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    New Square is a village of 9,679 people in Rockland County, New York. It also ranks more vibrant than 99% of New York towns and more walkable than 95% of New York towns.

    9,679 people · Rockland County · median home $662,400 · income $31,443 · Jan low 23°F · 36 in snow

    Full New Square, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

49. 2University of California-Santa Barbara, California

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    University of California-Santa Barbara is a community of 9,710 people in Santa Barbara County, California. It also ranks better for young professionals than 100% of California towns and better for cycling than 100% of California towns.

    9,710 people · Santa Barbara County · median home $452,900 · income $69,327 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow

    Full University of California-Santa Barbara, California profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

50. 1Sleepy Hollow, New York

    More of a college town than 100% of U.S. towns

    Sleepy Hollow is a village of 9,986 people in Westchester County, New York. It also ranks better transit than 97% of New York towns and more walkable than 95% of New York towns.

    9,986 people · Westchester County · median home $746,800 · income $104,313 · Jan low 23°F · 33 in snow

    Full Sleepy Hollow, New York profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

Price vs ranking

More U.S. rankings

• The 50 Best Small Towns to Retire in America
• The 50 Quietest Small Towns in America
• The 50 Most Affordable Small Towns in America
• The 50 Best Small Towns for Families in America
• The 50 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in America
• The 50 Best Places to Retire in America
• The 50 Quietest Places in America
• The 50 Most Affordable Places in America
• The 50 Best Places for Families in America
• The 50 Best Quiet, Affordable Places to Retire in America

Same ranking, other places

• The 25 Best College Small Towns in Pennsylvania
• The 25 Best College Small Towns in New York
• The 25 Best College Small Towns in Michigan
• The 25 Best College Small Towns in Texas
• The 25 Best College Small Towns in California
• The 25 Best College Small Towns in New Jersey