Michigan and MSU ranked among America’s top ten college towns

Beaumont Tower at Michigan State University. (WDIV)

Ann Arbor ranks ninth and East Lansing ranks sixth in RentCafe’s best college towns in the U.S. list.

The apartment search website and research blog looked at several different metrics for 235 college towns before releasing their annual report ranking the best college towns in the country.

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The metrics included cost of living, tuition fees, graduation rates, natural amenities, air quality, entertainment options and many more.

East Lansing and Ann Arbor are newcomers to the top ten list in this year’s rankings.

The website says East Lansing ranks high due to affordable quality living, artistic venues and entertainment establishments and an innovative environment.

A view of Spartan Stadium on Michigan State University's campus in East Lansing. (WDIV)

Ann Arbor ranks high due to its high-quality education at a university with tradition, youthful, educated population and eclectic entertainment.

University of Michigan's central campus in Ann Arbor on Nov. 3, 2020. (Meredith Bruckner)

Here’s a look at the report’s top 10 college towns:

  1. Bozeman, Montana, home to Montana State University
  2. Pullman, Washington, home to Washington State University
  3. Gainesville, Florida, home to the University of Florida
  4. Boone, North Carolina, home to Appalachian State University
  5. Clemson, South Carolina, home to Clemson University
  6. East Lansing, Michigan, home to Michigan State University
  7. Moscow, Idaho, home to the University of Idaho
  8. Provo, Utah, home to Brigham Young University
  9. Ann Arbor, Michigan, home to the University of Michigan
  10. Stanford, California, home to Stanford University

Find the full report here.


About the Author
Isaiah Hall headshot

Isaiah is an MSU grad working as a producer at Local 4 News.