Want to study in the USA? Are you looking for a rewarding study experience and unforgettable student life at an American university? Then you’d better have a look at a list of the most student-friendly cities and towns in North America.
What makes a student city great? It’s all about your positive study experience abroad and the opportunities waiting for you in that city. Here are six main criteria used to consider the best student cities where to study in North America:
- Lots of great activities for students
- A large international student community
- Diverse and friendly cultural environment
- Good quality of life for expats, if you plan to stay after graduation
- Plenty of job opportunities from global companies
- Low crime rates
Let's look at what popular QS Rankings have to say about the top urban destinations for students in America.
1. Boston
The locals place Boston among the intellectual capitals of the world, “the Athens of America”, thanks to its top quality universities. Boston is home to a 250,000 students, many of which are international students. Its skyline is defined by plenty of historic buildings and monuments, and it enjoys a vibrant cultural and sporting scene, specific to the American lifestyle.
Boston is compact, clean and easy to explore compared to other large American cities, and most importantly, it has very low crime levels. Boston is one of the world's top 30 most powerful city economies based on city GDP, its most important economic sectors include financial, professional and business services, biotechnology companies, tourism, as well as law and government. Some of the most renowned universities in Boston are:
2. New York City
New York City is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. Over 20% of the city’s population is born outside of the US, and immigrants from over 150 countries live here. The innovative graduate and undergraduate degree programmes offered by universities in New York cover cutting-edge teaching methods focusing on students’ independent learning.
Also known as “The City That Never Sleeps” or “The Big Apple”, New York City is all about city life, enjoying the American lifestyle and the colourful, vibrant nightlife. Explore emblematic places like Times Square, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building or the Rockefeller Centre. Some of the most renowned universities in New York are:
3. San Francisco
San Francisco has world-renowned universities, with Nobel laureates and Pulitzer Prize winners among their alumni. Study in an informal atmosphere in the home city of Silicon Valley – the cradle of research and technology – close to the main headquarters of Google or Facebook. The diversity and creativity of the population can be seen in everything from spectacular cuisine to influential cultural movements.
Living in San Francisco means experiencing new languages, foods, cultures, people, ideas, and celebrations almost daily. San Francisco is an amazing city with a special place in your heart. Some of the best universities in San Francisco are:
- Stanford University
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of San Francisco: School of Nursing and Health Professions
4. Chicago
Study abroad in a city famous for its tasty cuisine, efficient transportation system and incredible night skyline. Many international students enrol in Chicago universities every year, thanks to the affordable living costs compared to other American cities, the friendly inhabitants, and the rich cultural scene.
Life in Chicago is about the entertainment scene, walks in the parks, and supporting some world-famous sports teams. Chicago is also one of the richest cities in the US, featuring 12 Fortune Global 500 companies and 17 Financial Times 500 companies. Among its top universities are:
- University of Chicago
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- Roosevelt University International Study Centre
5. Los Angeles
Los Angeles nicknamed the City of Angels, can arguably be considered the world's creative capital. Many of the people living in the metropolis work in the creative industry as artists, writers, actors, dancers, or musicians.
Iconic places like Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Sunset Boulevard, Disneyland, and the Pacific Coast Highway are known worldwide. Los Angeles is home to people from more than 140 countries speaking 224 different languages.
Join a sunny, international student destination attracting cultures from all over the world and creating a global melting pot you can experience, whether in class or in the city. There are 841 museums and art galleries in the city and its surroundings. The city is home to 13 companies in the 2016 Fortune 500.
- The University of California (UCLA)
- The University of South California
- California State University Northridge
4. Washington DC
The US Government has its headquarters in Washington DC, and numerous embassies and plenty of international organisations are active here. The people of DC are very involved in politics and ready to debate with anyone interested. Washington DC is abundant in law firms, non-profit organisations, lobbying firms, trade unions, industry trade groups, and professional associations. Tourism is Washington's second largest industry, followed by education, finance, public policy, and scientific research.
Washington is an incredible city to explore and everywhere you walk you will discover places or monuments that speak of the American heritage. Walking or biking throughout the city is highly recommended, as most of the city's attractions are located close to each other.
- Washington State University
- George Washington University
- Georgetown University
- American University Washington D.C.
Best college cities and towns in the USA according to WalletHub
Interested in more great locations for students in the United States? Here’s a few more of the best student cities and towns and local universities, presented by Forbes, using information from WalletHub, after reviewing and analysing data from 280 cities in America.
- Oxford, Ohio - Miami University of Ohio
- State College, Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania State University
- Chapel Hill, North Carolina - University of North California Chapel Hill
- Corvallis, Oregon - Oregon State University
- College Station, Texas - Texas AM University
And since you're at it why not also take a sneak peek at the US universities with best campus life.