Where the college experience influences the community culture
School and city intertwine in college towns, and the community surrounding a school is often a factor in college decisions. But there are two types of college towns, says Mike Salvadore, owner of Seattle, Washington-based 58 Stars Travel: those where the college is the main focus and those that are part of a much larger culture. “So much of what makes a college town is what it offers to students,” Salvadore wrote in an email. “I’ve worked with different families when they have planned their college visits, and it’s important to understand the students’ interests and what types of things they’ll gravitate towards.” Using insights from higher education and travel industry experts as well as rankings from travel and lifestyle publications, here is a look at 10 destination college towns on the West Coast.
Berkeley, California
Named one of the top 25 college towns in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure, Berkeley is home to the University of California, Berkeley. Located just north of Oakland, Berkeley offers a mix of big city and small town culture. Its proximity to wine country means easy trips to some of the country’s best-known wineries, and its location next to the San Francisco Bay offers easy access to water recreation. The school is recognized as the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement in 1964, and a culture of activism is still important to the student body. To the east, students can hike at Tilden Regional Park or stroll through the University of California Botanical Garden. Picturesque Strawberry Creek – a major reason the campus site was chosen in the 1860s – flows west toward the bay and is home to numerous native plants and animals.
Corvallis, Oregon
Located about 84 miles south of Portland, Corvallis is home to Oregon State University. Close to parks, lakes and wildlife refuges, Corvallis offers more than 50 hikes along hilltop, forest and meadow trails, as well as mountain biking, kayaking, swimming, fishing, camping and birdwatching. Oregon was recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as the second most bicycle-friendly state in America, and Corvallis was recognized by real estate website Rent.com as one of the top college towns in Oregon. Corvallis is part of the Pacific Northwest’s craft beer scene with popular spots like Sky High Brewing, Oregon Trail Brewing and Block 15. It’s also surrounded by sustainable wineries and family-owned vineyards, adding wine tastings and countryside picnics to the list of things to do.
Claremont, California
In many college towns, just one school may hold a strong tie to the community. In the Los Angeles suburb of Claremont, seven schools – known as the Claremont Colleges – help create a community dominated by the college student population. The schools are Claremont Graduate University, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, Keck Graduate Institute, Pitzer College, Pomona College and Scripps College. The town was recognized by lifestyle publication Sunset Magazine as one of the 10 best college towns in the West. Despite the large number of students, the small, walkable town has the air of a peaceful oasis away from the traffic and lights of Los Angeles. Claremont’s gardens, parks, theaters and museums cater to a variety of interests.
Davis, California
Tucked away in the middle of Silicon Valley near the state capital of Sacramento is the University of California, Davis, and it’s estimated that students make up about 40% of the city of Davis’ population. The school is a driving force and cultural hub for what is a quaint, hidden gem of a town with good restaurants and cool bars, says Alex Boylan, executive producer and host of The College Tour, an internet-based television show that provides free virtual campus tours. The city’s lively cultural scene includes galleries, art and design museums, theaters and farmers markets. The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden spans the entire campus and features waterways, oak and acacia groves, trails, gardens and scientific collections. “Myself, my entire crew, we’re always blown away when we get there,” Boylan says. “It’s beautiful.”
Eugene, Oregon
Home to the University of Oregon, Eugene bills itself as “the running capital of the world” and “TrackTownUSA.” It’s not only home to UO’s famous Hayward Field and an epicenter for track and field, it’s also the birthplace of fitness giant Nike. Founder Phil Knight was a middle-distance runner at UO when he partnered with UO track coach and former Olympian Bill Bowerman to form the company. The city is also known for craft breweries and great cycling. Whether tailgating at a Ducks football game, hiking up the Ridgeline Trail System or visiting the numerous cafes and locally owned stores at the Fifth Street Public Market, Eugene makes for a hip college town, experts say. Travel + Leisure named it one of the top 25 college towns in the U.S.
Monmouth, Oregon
Founded in 1856, Western Oregon University is one of the oldest universities in the state. It’s roughly 65 miles east of the Pacific coast, and about an hour’s drive from the Cascade Mountains. In a town of more than 11,000 people, WOU’s nearly 3,800 students are a large part of the community. “From theater to concerts and art, everything that’s around Monmouth is Western Oregon University,” Boylan says. The campus is home to a 123-foot giant sequoia that’s one of the largest Christmas trees in the U.S., and the surrounding area offers hiking, bicycling, camping, disc golf and fishing.
Pullman, Washington
It’s hard to tell where Washington State University ends and the city of Pullman begins, Boylan says. Known for its rolling hills that shift from emerald green to gold depending on the season, Pullman offers a picturesque landscape year round. Nearby Snake River offers stunning views and water activities, and outdoor enthusiasts can also enjoy gravel cycling, trail running and waterfalls. In addition to the sports games and other on-campus highlights, such as the student-run Ferdinand’s Ice Cream Shoppe, students have a variety of restaurants and shopping centers to choose from around town. Among popular spots are Dom’s Donuts, Zeppoz and the Lumberyard, a collection of restaurants that also includes a full bar, gaming area and enclosed outdoor patio seating.
Redlands, California
Interstate 10 runs through the middle of Redlands, with many motorists perhaps not giving the Los Angeles suburb a second thought. But those who spend time in the town will experience a “gorgeous” and “picture perfect” small town where shops, bars and restaurants are full and the student population from the University of Redlands helps create a lively buzz, Boylan says. The nearby San Bernardino Mountains and various lakes offer plenty of spots for outdoor recreation. Those interested in history can learn about anything from the Civil War to mastodons at one of the city’s five museums or drive the tree-lined streets to see ornate historic buildings from the turn of the last century, when Redlands was known as “The City of Millionaires.”
Santa Barbara, California
For many students, attending college in a beach town is an easy sell. Santa Barbara, home to the University of California, Santa Barbara, offers a palm-lined beachfront location on the Pacific Ocean. UC Santa Barbara even has an on-campus beach where students can surf, swim, walk their dogs, enjoy the tide pools or climb the stairs up to the bluffs for spectacular views. They can also take a stress-relieving hike up to Inspiration Point or relax with oceanside meditation at UC Santa Barbara’s Lagoon Island Labyrinth. For more adventure, the school offers scuba diving courses as well as skiing and snowboarding clubs. Santa Barbara, with a population of nearly 88,000, and similarly sized cities “have similar attributes to the large cities but on a smaller and more intimate scale – wonderful food scene, local music hangouts and more,” Salvadore says.
Spokane, Washington
The Spokane River cuts through the middle of the city near three college campuses: Gonzaga University, Spokane Community College and Whitworth University. Nearly 230,000 people live in Spokane, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, making it one of the larger college towns on the West Coast. The downtown area has a variety of restaurants and bars, and Spokane Arena often hosts major sporting events and concerts. “One of the things I loved most about Spokane was that it has a really great mix of nature and city,” Gonzaga alumnus Cade Hajovsky wrote in an email. “It’s easy to access the river, lakes (only a short drive from Lake Coeur d’Alene in Idaho) and hikes, while also still having a great restaurant and entertainment scene.”
Other Campus Resources
Learn more about college living by checking out the U.S. News guide to campus resources. Connect with U.S. News Education on Facebook and X/Twitter to get more advice on making the college decision.
Destination West Coast College Towns
- Berkeley, California
- Corvallis, Oregon
- Claremont, California
- Davis, California
- Eugene, Oregon
- Monmouth, Oregon
- Pullman, Washington
- Redlands, California
- Santa Barbara, California
- Spokane, Washington
Urban, Suburban and Rural Colleges: How to Choose
By Cole Claybourn, US News & World Report I March 28, 2023
Location is one of the many important factors prospective students weigh when choosing where to go to college.
This decision isn’t just about how far they’ll be from home – it’s also about the kind of place they’re in, whether that’s a big city, a small college town or the quiet countryside.
Each setting – urban, suburban and rural – can offer profound learning and cultural experiences. But that doesn’t mean each location would be a natural fit for every student. Some may find themselves overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of big city life, while others long for more activities than they might experience on a secluded rural campus.
“When people are looking at places, I think the geographical area of the country is important. That’s usually the first determining factor,” says Matt Woodworth, founder of college admissions consulting company Woodworth Prep. “One of the things I find interesting is that it’s also one of the few areas where kids and parents will not quite have the same view.”
Why College Setting Matters
There are a variety of factors to consider when it comes to a college setting, experts say. A school situated in a downtown area can provide a vastly different experience than one at a more isolated campus in a small town or suburban area.
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READ: What to Consider When Visiting a College Town. ]
“It’s important you feel comfortable at a college of your choice and the setting of a college could impact what your comfort level is,” Eric Nichols, vice president for enrollment management at Loyola University Maryland, wrote in an email. “Do you want to live in a big city, just be adjacent to (a) city while having a residential campus experience? Or are you comfortable with a small college town that is tucked away from a metropolitan area?”
He adds that students often spend more time on campus than they initially expect.
Students typically have an idea of what their ideal lifestyle is and it can be helpful to choose a college that will cater to that, Woodworth says.
“It tends to go two directions,” he says. “What I find a lot of times is that kids want to repeat the environment that they grew up in. If they grow up in a small town, they want to go to a place in a small town. If they grow up rural, they want to go somewhere rural.”
By “keeping with what’s familiar,” students are able to enter college more comfortably, Woodworth says.
U.S. News asks colleges to self-report their settings in its annual survey. The below map shows the top-ranked schools by setting – rural, suburban or city/urban.
Finding the Right College Setting
Students should also consider setting when thinking about opportunities beyond the classroom, says Mandee Heller Adler, founder and president of International College Counselors. Many students tend to find jobs and internships in or near the city where they attend college, and some end up staying and working in that area after building personal and professional connections.
“Another factor to think about is opportunities for work experience and internships during the school year,” Heller Adler wrote in an email. “The choices are slimmer in a small city as compared to New York City, Washington D.C., or Los Angeles, for example.”[
READ: How to Make a College List. ]
Some fields are particularly location-specific. “If you’re thinking about going into something like tech, it’s going to be much more advantageous for you to be near Silicon Valley,” Woodworth says, “but the other problem is that it is going to cost a lot more to live in a city for four years while you’re in college. So you have to weigh that in, and that’s part of the college experience.”
On the other hand, students interested in fields like environmental science may see those opportunities in abundance in a more rural setting.
Heller Adler suggests also considering the activities you’d like to pursue outside of class. For instance, students interested in opportunities for outdoor recreation may lean toward rural settings, while urban colleges are likely to offer access to a greater range of cultural activities.
Adler encourages students to consider what on-campus activities are offered, noting that “urban campuses typically have less of an on-campus community.”
Visit Before Jumping to Conclusions
Just because a college is located in a certain city or area doesn’t mean the campus itself is a direct reflection of that geographic space. Colleges are like cities unto themselves, and what’s happening in the broader area may not necessarily be the experience on campus. Nichols encourages prospective students to go visit a college rather than letting a description of the setting determine their view.
“For example, a school may be located in a city but the actual location of the campus itself may be on the edge of town and the setting may feel more like a residential suburban neighborhood,” Nichols says. “Not all big city schools have campuses that spill into the downtown area. It’s another reminder to always take the time to visit the schools you are most interested (in) rather than make assumptions based on location.”
If students can’t visit in person, then taking a virtual college tour is the next best option, experts say.[
READ: 21 Places Worth Seeing on College Tours. ]
Though a college setting can give students a loose idea of what to expect, there are often unexpected twists. Take Loyola University Maryland. While located in Baltimore, the college has an arboretum on 80 acres that was recently recognized as having the largest trees in the state, which may not fit student preconceptions of an urban area.
“If you can’t get to the campuses yourself and get a real vibe for it, how do you figure that out?” asks Alex Boylan, executive producer and host of The College Tour, an internet-based television show that provides free classes and virtual tours of college campuses to help students in their college decision process. Its videos share first-hand accounts from students to give prospective students what they hope is an authentic feel of the campus. “I think it’s huge because the cultural fit really ties into that location of what you’re looking for.”
Regardless of where students go, experts say they should expect an adjustment because college is still a new environment in and of itself.
“Moving somewhere new and truly feeling comfortable in a new environment takes time,” Heller Adler says. “Whether a student makes a big jump from urban to rural, or if they’re staying in their home city, feeling out-of-sync for some time during the first year of college is completely normal.”
She encourages students to get involved with activities and student organizations, build their own community, try new things and develop a peer group to support them through college.
“If a student is having a rough time, they should not be afraid to reach out to someone they trust, such as an advisor, professor or peer,” she says. “In college, no one should feel alone. And if a student is truly unhappy and feeling out-of-place, there is always the option to transfer.”
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