Top party schools in America
It's often said that college is the best four years of one's life. It's a time to learn, to explore, to sign up for an 8 a.m. class thinking, "that's not too early," and subsequently miss every last lecture because yes, that is too early. College is the padded barrier between childhood and adult life, full of adventures and ice cream for dinner, but devoid of grown-up problems like mortgages and cholesterol. College gives you a chance to figure out who you ultimately want to be.
An added bonus to all that meaningful self-discovery? Parties. Most colleges, in addition to anthropology courses and mediocre dining hall grub, offer their own particular brand of social scene. While some studies have found that your typical college freshman is partying less and using social media more, Instagram hasn't killed off the college party yet: 52.5% of students in a 2019 national survey reported drinking alcohol in the past month and more of them are regular users of marijuana than they were a decade ago.
Whether students are binge drinking or sipping a glass of water while they spend time with their friends, parties offer the opportunity to socialize and connect with classmates. As a growing number of today's college students report struggling with depression, anxiety, and feelings of isolation, these moments of human connection outside the classroom have become even more important. However, not all college parties are created equal. Certain schools really know what they're doing in the way of parties, and it's those schools that are honored with a place on this list.
To create this party school ranking, Stacker used data pulled from Niche. Niche's party calculations account for access to bars and restaurants, athletics culture, Greek life, and student polling data. Every school on this list received an A+ party grade, so grab a red plastic cup, drink responsibly, and enjoy Stacker's list of the top 50 party schools in America as of 2022.
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#50. Texas Tech University
- Location: Lubbock, TX
- Students: 28,062 (student to faculty ratio: 21:1)
- Acceptance rate: 69%
- Net price per year: $16,463
- Graduation rate: 61%
Texas Tech is a public research university in a buslting city with almost 300,00 people. The college boasts a congenial small town vibe. Its party spirit is illuminated in a recent partnership with the Kanas City Chiefs.
#49. Western Michigan University
- Location: Kalamazoo, MI
- Students: 14,558 (student to faculty ratio: 16:1)
- Acceptance rate: 80%
- Net price per year: $17,028
- Graduation rate: 57%
Western Michigan University is in the top 11% of all universities in the nation with 90% of Broncos discovering jobs they love in their chosen field. A friendly campus vibe, robust roster of events, a plethora of places to party in Kalamazoo, and a store called the Den Partystore all add up to a spirited scene.
#48. Louisiana State University
- Location: Baton Rouge, LA
- Students: 22,726 (student to faculty ratio: 20:1)
- Acceptance rate: 75%
- Net price per year: $18,143
- Graduation rate: 68%
55% of LSU students polled on Niche say that “almost everything on campus revolves around sports.” The active nightlife scene in Baton Rouge provides plenty of fun options as well; as you might imagine, Mardi Gras and tailgating during football season are 92% of surveyed students' favorite party events on campus.
#47. University at Albany, SUNY
- Location: Albany, NY
- Students: 12,568 (student to faculty ratio: 18:1)
- Acceptance rate: 54%
- Net price per year: $16,769
- Graduation rate: 63%
The University at Albany has a diverse range of partying opportunities throughout the year, from Lark Fest, which claims to be Upstate New York's largest one-day street festival, to Parkfest, Albany's spring concert which last year hosted Bazzi, Rich the Kid, and Jay Critch. Well, they're not diversely named, but they're a blast all the same.
#46. Temple University
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Students: 26,247 (student to faculty ratio: 13:1)
- Acceptance rate: 60%
- Net price per year: $23,032
- Graduation rate: 74%
Though the student population is still sore about the much-beloved Spring Fling event being cancelled back in 2013, the fraternities at Temple more than make up for its absence with their own ample party selection over the weekend. Plus, being near several other Pennsylvania schools means a glut of options if you ever get tired of Temple's atmosphere.
#45. University of Arizona
- Location: Tucson, AZ
- Students: 28,972 (student to faculty ratio: 15:1)
- Acceptance rate: 85%
- Net price per year: $16,580
- Graduation rate: 65%
The University of Arizona is a lands-grant university boasting over 300 majors. Its magical location amid mountains and forests was enjoyed by Wildcat alumni including Rande Gerber, Barry Goldwater and Savannah Guthrie. In its party heydey it was ranked Number 4 Party School by Playboy and enjoyed the moniker “School of the wet and wild."
#44. Lehigh University
- Location: Bethlehem, PA
- Students: 5,107 (student to faculty ratio: 9:1)
- Acceptance rate: 32%
- Net price per year: $26,631
- Graduation rate: 90%
Lehigh University, a top research university, recently announced they reeived a $2.5 million gift to establish the Marcon Institute at Lehigh which will be devoted to social justice. The college’s party reputation continued during the pandemic as “COVID parties” led to interim suspensions.
#43. College of Charleston
- Location: Charleston, SC
- Students: 8,762 (student to faculty ratio: 14:1)
- Acceptance rate: 78%
- Net price per year: $19,764
- Graduation rate: 66%
There's tons to do in Charleston, and a lot of it includes food ideal for a late night—who doesn't love 4 a.m. chicken and waffles? This Southern hot spot is a stellar college town full of nightlife options like bars and live music—and according to Niche, house parties are a constant as well.
#42. University of Missouri
- Location: Columbia, MO
- Students: 20,676 (student to faculty ratio: 17:1)
- Acceptance rate: 81%
- Net price per year: $15,850
- Graduation rate: 71%
Commonly referred to as “Mizzou”, University of Missouri enrolls over 30,000 students. Socially, the school boasts a healthy dose of Greek life and athletic pride (go Truman!). With much of campus life revolving around varsity sports, homecoming parties are vital to any Mizzou experience.
#41. Washington State University
- Location: Pullman, WA
- Students: 23,092 (student to faculty ratio: 16:1)
- Acceptance rate: 76%
- Net price per year: $18,002
- Graduation rate: 60%
Washington University has plenty of ways for students to connect through events, its signature lecture program called Assembly Series and nearby at The Loop where they can catch a movie, a bite to eat or enjoy nightlife.. Students are known to both study and party with gusto.
#40. University of Massachusetts - Amherst
- Location: Amherst, MA
- Students: 22,491 (student to faculty ratio: 17:1)
- Acceptance rate: 64%
- Net price per year: $22,927
- Graduation rate: 82%
Don't confuse it with the sleepy liberal arts college to the south, with their Emily Dickinson museum and barely 2,000-strong student body; UMass has a consistent party scene, a killer Halloweekend, and, of course, the Blarney Blowout. With 55 arrests in 2014, the pre-St. Patrick's Day event dates back to the 1970s and is still going strong today.
#39. University of Florida
- Location: Gainesville, FL
- Students: 32,157 (student to faculty ratio: 17:1)
- Acceptance rate: 37%
- Net price per year: $10,457
- Graduation rate: 88%
There's plenty going on at the University of Florida, and the nightlife scene is vast enough to provide something to all of the school's 50,000 students. But only one event can cover it all, and that's Gator Stompin', where a ticket buys participants free drinks at dozens of Gainesville bars.
#38. University of Cincinnati
- Location: Cincinnati, OH
- Students: 23,712 (student to faculty ratio: 17:1)
- Acceptance rate: 77%
- Net price per year: $19,219
- Graduation rate: 71%
The University of Cincinnati is full of inspiration to learn with over 300 majors and more than certificate programs including its signature co-op program. Knowing that parying is part of the college experience, the college created Party Smart to help their Beercats party make smart choices when partying.
#37. James Madison University
- Location: Harrisonburg, VA
- Students: 18,798 (student to faculty ratio: 16:1)
- Acceptance rate: 77%
- Net price per year: $18,708
- Graduation rate: 84%
James Madison University is a public university with about 20,000 undergraduate students, 80% of which of engage in undergraduate research, are involved in an internship, a practicum or do student teaching. Having a riot erupt at a Sprngfest and a clown frighten children on Halloween are part of the JMU party narrative.
#36. University of Oklahoma
- Location: Norman, OK
- Students: 18,996 (student to faculty ratio: 17:1)
- Acceptance rate: 80%
- Net price per year: $21,804
- Graduation rate: 70%
More than 20,000 undergraduates study at the University of Oklahoma enjoying a private college vibe at a major university. With over 400 organizations, a robust roster of events and an active athletic program, the stage is set for students to party. You can even buy branded Oklahoma University party merchandise to party at home.
#35. University of Dayton
- Location: Dayton, OH
- Students: 8,046 (student to faculty ratio: 14:1)
- Acceptance rate: 72%
- Net price per year: $33,372
- Graduation rate: 82%
At UD, it's all about St. Patrick's day. Well, at least it was: Last year, police in riot gear had to break up the student festivities, getting beer bottles thrown at them in the process. This year, UD changed up the spring break schedule to try to avoid another debacle, but according to students on Niche, there's still plenty of party options during the week and on the weekends. If UD's basketball team has a good season, there's plenty of parties revolving around the tournament run, too.
#34. University of Kansas
- Location: Lawrence, KS
- Students: 17,257 (student to faculty ratio: 17:1)
- Acceptance rate: 93%
- Net price per year: $19,195
- Graduation rate: 67%
There's year-round fun to be had at the University of Kansas, but it's March Madness that really takes things to the next level. Kansas students have some crazy, well-deserved basketball pride, which lays the foundation for the school's social life.
#33. University of Pennsylvania
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Students: 10,448 (student to faculty ratio: 6:1)
- Acceptance rate: 8%
- Net price per year: $24,771
- Graduation rate: 96%
With an acceptance rate of only 9%, Ivy League status, and a top ten ranking on Forbes' list of America's Top Colleges 2017, one might think Penn keeps students chained to the library. That's definitely not the case—often referred to as “the social Ivy,” Penn's Greek-life-heavy social scene is nothing to sneeze at. Plus, there are plenty of other colleges around Pennsylvania to escape to if the academic pressure at Penn is too suffocating.
#32. Clark Atlanta University
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Students: 3,255 (student to faculty ratio: 19:1)
- Acceptance rate: 55%
- Net price per year: $27,931
- Graduation rate: 44%
This historically African American university was originally two separate schools—they joined together in the 1930s to form today's Clark Atlanta University. On Niche, 78% of students name Homecoming as the school's top social event, in which sports games, concerts, and a Miss Clark Atlanta Coronation and Ball form several days worth of excitement.
#31. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
- Students: 30,204 (student to faculty ratio: 11:1)
- Acceptance rate: 23%
- Net price per year: $17,357
- Graduation rate: 93%
The University of Michigan boasts some impressive stats: in 2018, Niche ranked it #3 for colleges with the best student life, #2 for best big colleges, and #1 for top public universities in America. To top it all off, Michigan students also excel at partying—embracing the ultimate "work hard, play hard" mentality.
#30. University of South Carolina
- Location: Columbia, SC
- Students: 26,400 (student to faculty ratio: 15:1)
- Acceptance rate: 69%
- Net price per year: $21,787
- Graduation rate: 77%
A school that has a beloved and longstanding food tradition of “Chicken Finger Wednesdays” definitely knows what's good in life. University of South Carolina also goes far and beyond comfort food—on Niche, the most popular answer for favorite campus events is “tailgating on Saturdays for football games.”
#29. Rutgers University - New Brunswick
- Location: New Brunswick, NJ
- Students: 34,285 (student to faculty ratio: 16:1)
- Acceptance rate: 61%
- Net price per year: $16,873
- Graduation rate: 84%
In many ways, Rutgers students have the best of both worlds: access to all the craziness of New York City, and all the benefits of a smaller city with local options. Students here can travel to Manhattan for everything happening there, or hit up bars, comedy shows, and music in New Brunswick.
#28. University of Virginia
- Location: Charlottesville, VA
- Students: 16,267 (student to faculty ratio: 15:1)
- Acceptance rate: 24%
- Net price per year: $17,579
- Graduation rate: 95%
Of 188 students interviewed on Niche, 78% say that “varsity sports are a huge part of campus life” at University of Virginia. And then are the campus traditions that require a little less clothing: Streaking the lawn has been a staple of Virginia life for decades.
#27. Florida A&M University
- Location: Tallahassee, FL
- Students: 6,802 (student to faculty ratio: 15:1)
- Acceptance rate: 36%
- Net price per year: $14,610
- Graduation rate: 53%
The next HBCU to make the list, A&M continues the trend by having unmissable homecoming parties and pretty sizable involvement with Greek Life. FAMU students also get down at the annual Pajama Juice Jam, which regularly draws thousands of students in attendance.
#26. Vanderbilt University
- Location: Nashville, TN
- Students: 6,833 (student to faculty ratio: 7:1)
- Acceptance rate: 9%
- Net price per year: $25,855
- Graduation rate: 93%
Nashville is not just a college town—it's a vibrant spot full of food, music, history, and lots and lots of bars. On campus, Vanderbilt students are also very active in Greek life, with 42% of students participating in fraternities and sororities during the 2016–2017 school year.
#25. University of Miami
- Location: Coral Gables, FL
- Students: 10,701 (student to faculty ratio: 12:1)
- Acceptance rate: 27%
- Net price per year: $33,102
- Graduation rate: 83%
Beach access and people who notoriously look great in bathing suits are not a bad combo, and the University of Miami has both. On Niche, 34% of Miami students polled named “tropical paradise” as the phrase to best describe their school, and the beloved varsity sports don't hurt either.
#24. University of Colorado - Boulder
- Location: Boulder, CO
- Students: 28,877 (student to faculty ratio: 18:1)
- Acceptance rate: 78%
- Net price per year: $22,077
- Graduation rate: 69%
As a leader in the decriminalization and recreational use of cannabis, the state of Colorado seems to know a thing or two about kicking back and enjoying life. Consequently, 4/20 is a popular event at the university. Students also enjoy frequenting Boulder bars and cheering on Ralphie the Buffalo at football games.
#23. The Ohio State University
- Location: Columbus, OH
- Students: 42,776 (student to faculty ratio: 19:1)
- Acceptance rate: 54%
- Net price per year: $18,706
- Graduation rate: 86%
Sports are a major part of life at Ohio State, and the Buckeyes give Ohio students a reason to be proud. And for those heading off campus for a night in Columbus, $1 grilled cheeses are a great way to begin or end the night (or both).
#22. Southern Methodist University
- Location: Dallas, TX
- Students: 6,519 (student to faculty ratio: 11:1)
- Acceptance rate: 47%
- Net price per year: $40,404
- Graduation rate: 81%
In 2012, SMU received the high honor of being named the school with the #1 Nightlife in the Country by Playboy. According to the magazine, Southern Methodist University is “Dallas's never-ending house party,” and the annual “Heaven or Hell” Halloween costume party is notorious throughout Dallas.
#21. University of Delaware
- Location: Newark, DE
- Students: 18,378 (student to faculty ratio: 15:1)
- Acceptance rate: 71%
- Net price per year: $17,539
- Graduation rate: 81%
Newark, Delaware may be small, but its Main Street (right near UD campus) is packed with plenty of options for shopping, dining, and of course, drinking. And there are good times happening on campus, too—72% of UD students interviewed for Niche say that there's a great social atmosphere in the dorms.
#20. San Diego State University
- Location: San Diego, CA
- Students: 27,638 (student to faculty ratio: 27:1)
- Acceptance rate: 34%
- Net price per year: $14,499
- Graduation rate: 73%
If a school is located just a short drive from the beach, and the average temperature doesn't go below 65 degrees even in winter, it's hard not to have a good time there. Varsity sports, and their requisite tailgates, are also a big part of life at San Diego State.
#19. Michigan State University
- Location: East Lansing, MI
- Students: 35,722 (student to faculty ratio: 16:1)
- Acceptance rate: 71%
- Net price per year: $16,579
- Graduation rate: 81%
East Lansing has it all: karaoke, quiet pubs, and plenty of places to dance. On campus, there are plenty of weeknight parties, as well as some particularly intense, rivalry-filled football games to attend.
#18. University of Texas - Austin
- Location: Austin, TX
- Students: 37,515 (student to faculty ratio: 19:1)
- Acceptance rate: 32%
- Net price per year: $15,502
- Graduation rate: 86%
Austin really does have it all; Niche also named it the best big college town in America. There's amazing music and culture, great food and drinks (even after midnight), and a good dose of Southern hospitality. UT Austin follows in the city's footsteps as a university that knows how to have fun, especially at renowned events like Round Up.
#17. University of Mississippi
- Location: University, MS
- Students: 15,902 (student to faculty ratio: 16:1)
- Acceptance rate: 88%
- Net price per year: $14,672
- Graduation rate: 66%
Ole Miss prides itself on taking tailgating to a “higher plane.” Most of the Mississippi tailgating experience is centered around The Grove: normally a 10-acre park in the middle of campus that easily transforms into the pinnacle of a tailgating city.
#16. University of California - Santa Barbara
- Location: Santa Barbara, CA
- Students: 22,846 (student to faculty ratio: 18:1)
- Acceptance rate: 30%
- Net price per year: $16,767
- Graduation rate: 83%
Set before a backdrop of rolling mountains and nestled on two sides by stretches of beach, UC Santa Barbara knows how to have fun and look good while doing it. From major events like Extravaganza and Halloween, to frat parties, to food and drink options downtown, UCSB students are never bored.
#15. Miami University
- Location: Oxford, OH
- Students: 16,682 (student to faculty ratio: 13:1)
- Acceptance rate: 80%
- Net price per year: $22,989
- Graduation rate: 81%
Lest the name fool you, Miami University is actually located in rural Ohio, north of Cincinnati. But being landlocked has not put a damper on Miami University students—in fact, this top spot is earned by the variety of bar access, music, sporting events, and house parties available at Miami.
#14. Indiana University - Bloomington
- Location: Bloomington, IN
- Students: 31,981 (student to faculty ratio: 16:1)
- Acceptance rate: 78%
- Net price per year: $13,036
- Graduation rate: 79%
Social life is a big part of the IU experience, and both Greek life and major athletic pride play a role in making Indiana the good time it is. One particularly popular event at Indiana is the Little 500, a bicycle race on campus that also becomes what the town refers to as “The World's Greatest College Weekend.”
#13. University of Iowa
- Location: Iowa City, IA
- Students: 21,212 (student to faculty ratio: 16:1)
- Acceptance rate: 83%
- Net price per year: $17,008
- Graduation rate: 72%
Iowa's party school rep is nothing new, and it's long been known that Hawkeyes know how to party. There's a heavy Greek presence and the football stadium is always packed on game nights—not to mention all the wild tailgating before the game even begins.
#12. Ohio University
- Location: Athens, OH
- Students: 16,209 (student to faculty ratio: 15:1)
- Acceptance rate: 82%
- Net price per year: $22,521
- Graduation rate: 65%
Not only are people having fun at Ohio University, they're also very happy—57% of students polled on Niche say that the campus is “beautiful” and their “second home.” The school has also been ranked as Playboy's #1 Party School in the past.
#11. Penn State
- Location: University Park, PA
- Students: 39,321 (student to faculty ratio: 14:1)
- Acceptance rate: 56%
- Net price per year: $26,151
- Graduation rate: 85%
University of Pennsylvania students may be hellbent on reminding people that they are "not Penn State," but being Penn State doesn't look so bad. There's Greek life and strong athletics, and more than half of students surveyed on Niche agree with the statement "I love everything about my school and have a lot of campus pride."
#10. West Virginia University
- Location: Morgantown, WV
- Students: 19,369 (student to faculty ratio: 20:1)
- Acceptance rate: 84%
- Net price per year: $12,743
- Graduation rate: 61%
Morgantown may not be a huge city, but West Virginia University is a school with a big personality. The Niche statistics say it all: nearly half of students polled agree there are wild parties every night of the week, and most also agree that football games and Fall Fest are some of the most fun a WVU student can have.
#9. University of Southern California
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Students: 19,622 (student to faculty ratio: 9:1)
- Acceptance rate: 11%
- Net price per year: $37,521
- Graduation rate: 92%
Located in Downtown Los Angeles, USC students have access to all the clubs, bars and fun of the city. But for those who wish to stay on campus (or are not yet of age), there are lots of parties and events around both Greek life and USC sports. According to Niche, there are parties near-constantly, so don't let FOMO get in the way of your GPA.
#8. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Location: Urbana, IL
- Students: 32,854 (student to faculty ratio: 20:1)
- Acceptance rate: 59%
- Net price per year: $14,660
- Graduation rate: 85%
Did you know that the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has over 24 million items in its library making it one of the biggest public university libraries on the planet? When the students aren’t busy perusing periodicals in the library or studying enginnering, computer science, business and agriculture, you may find them partying to keep the school’s top party ranking.
#7. Syracuse University
- Location: Syracuse, NY
- Students: 14,727 (student to faculty ratio: 15:1)
- Acceptance rate: 44%
- Net price per year: $43,111
- Graduation rate: 83%
Despite being located in a city that's often buried in snow, Syracuse University has been consistently ranked as one of the nation's top party schools. With a passion for basketball, involvement in Greek life, and major events like Juice Jam and Mayfest, Syracuse students know how to have a good time.
#6. University of Georgia
- Location: Athens, GA
- Students: 28,175 (student to faculty ratio: 17:1)
- Acceptance rate: 45%
- Net price per year: $15,961
- Graduation rate: 87%
Greek life is huge at the University of Georgia, and a large portion of the social scene and nightlife is centered around this fact. Additionally, Downtown Athens is jam-packed with bars of every variety. Be sure to be free when Georgia's football team plays Florida: The rivalry is legendary, and so are the parties.
#5. The University of Alabama
- Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
- Students: 29,135 (student to faculty ratio: 20:1)
- Acceptance rate: 83%
- Net price per year: $20,623
- Graduation rate: 71%
The University of Alabama is a top-rated university school where students regularly rave about its inclusive and inviting environment. The college, whose rally cry is “Roll Tide,” frequently ranks in the top tier of party schools.
#4. Howard University
- Location: Washington, DC
- Students: 6,269 (student to faculty ratio: 10:1)
- Acceptance rate: 36%
- Net price per year: $21,428
- Graduation rate: 65%
The top HBCU on this list, greek life certainly plays a role in Howard's social life, and though not the main focus, varsity sports contribute as well. In fact, the hands-down most exciting event in Howard life is, again, its homecoming.
#3. University of Wisconsin
- Location: Madison, WI
- Students: 30,157 (student to faculty ratio: 17:1)
- Acceptance rate: 54%
- Net price per year: $16,103
- Graduation rate: 88%
Of all the things the state of Wisconsin does well, cheese might have to be first and foremost. But a close second is the nightlife and social scene at the University of Wisconsin, which includes going out and about in Madison and cheering on the Badgers.
#2. Florida State University
- Location: Tallahassee, FL
- Students: 29,879 (student to faculty ratio: 21:1)
- Acceptance rate: 36%
- Net price per year: $12,568
- Graduation rate: 83%
New York City may be the city that never sleeps, but apparently it's got a rival: FSU's home, Tallahassee, is the “college town that never sleeps,” and that's because there's too much fun to be had while awake. It's full of great bars, clubs, and restaurants, and the student house parties are a weekend feature as well.
#1. Tulane University
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- Students: 7,260 (student to faculty ratio: 8:1)
- Acceptance rate: 13%
- Net price per year: $40,783
- Graduation rate: 86%
Located in one of the most infamously wild cities in the country, Tulane gives students access to all the food, music, and bars that New Orleans has to offer. Tulane students really aren't messing around when it comes to going out—they "party with a purpose."
