The top 50 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: 60% of students in a 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.
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#50. University of California - Los Angeles
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Number of undergraduates: 30,458
Student-to-faculty ratio: 18:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $60,700
Overall Niche grade: A+
It would be a shame not to party in glamorous Los Angeles; luckily, despite only 13% of undergraduate UCLA men belonging to fraternities and the same proportion of women in sororities, a majority of college students surveyed on Niche agree that there are suitable party options for the weekend. Bruin Bash, the annual spring concert and festival which last year featured pop star Charli XCX and rappers Buddy and CupcakKe, was also declared the biggest party event of the year.
#49. North Carolina A&T State University
Location: Greensboro, NC
Number of undergraduates: 9,347
Student-to-faculty ratio: 18:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $34,700
Overall Niche grade: B
An HBCU (historically black college or university) located in Greensboro, N.C., A&T State's students place a lot of emphasis on varsity sports. It's therefore easy to see why, along with many other HBCUs, homecoming events are the essential parties on campus. No wonder A&T's students call it "GHOE," or "Greatest Homecoming on Earth."
#48. Morehouse College
Location: Atlanta, GA
Number of undergraduates: 2,090
Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $41,800
Overall Niche grade: B
Morehouse, like A&T State, is an HBCU; however, Morehouse is specifically a men's liberal arts college, though it's down the street from Spelman College, a women's HBCU. With the legendary music scene of Atlanta always providing concert opportunities and Waffle House being the post-party location of choice, Morehouse is perfectly situated for a great campus party scene.
#47. University of Virginia
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Number of undergraduates: 15,766
Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $61,200
Overall Niche grade: A+
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.
#46. Temple University
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Number of undergraduates: 26,643
Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $50,500
Overall Niche grade: A
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 Dayton
Location: Dayton, OH
Number of undergraduates: 8,079
Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $55,100
Overall Niche grade: A
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.
#44. University at Albany, SUNY
Location: Albany, NY
Number of undergraduates: 12,740
Student-to-faculty ratio: 19:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $51,500
Overall Niche grade: B+
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.
#43. Vanderbilt University
Location: Nashville, TN
Number of undergraduates: 6,805
Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $69,000
Overall Niche grade: A+
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.
#42. Bowling Green State University
Location: Bowling Green, OH
Number of undergraduates: 13,104
Student-to-faculty ratio: 18:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $40,500
Overall Niche grade: B
The city of Bowling Green may be small, but it's also full of bars and college kids, meaning parties are sure to ensue. For BGSU, St. Patrick's Day is perhaps the biggest party event of the year; when the holiday fell on a Saturday in 2018, students prepared for absolute madness.
#41. Texas State University
Location: San Marcos, TX
Number of undergraduates: 28,019
Student-to-faculty ratio: 22:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $45,700
Overall Niche grade: B+
San Marcos, Texas, is a college town through and through, with the university all but dominating the city itself. 60% of Students polled on Niche cite Riverfest, an annual spring concert, as the school's biggest party of the year.
#40. University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Location: Amherst, MA
Number of undergraduates: 21,577
Student-to-faculty ratio: 18:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $51,400
Overall Niche grade: A
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. George Washington University
Location: Washington, D.C.
Number of undergraduates: 10,893
Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $69,600
Overall Niche grade: A
As the commander-in-chief gets inaugurated in the nation's capital, its biggest college also throws down with the university president; if, by "throw down," you mean dressing up in black-tie attire, stuffing your mouth with hors d'oeuvres, and, depending on your political affiliation, drinking to forget the results of last November's election. Since the Inaugural Ball only happens every four years, just like the real thing, Spring Fling and Greek Life organizations fill the gaps with quality party opportunities.
#38. University of Arkansas
Location: Fayetteville, AR
Number of undergraduates: 20,464
Student-to-faculty ratio: 18:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $44,900
Overall Niche grade: A
Fayetteville is a young, laid back city that's often ranked amongst the best college towns in the nation, making it a great place for students to live, work, and party. At the university, sports contribute largely to social life—it doesn't hurt that the Arkansas Razorbacks have won 44 NCAA championships.
#37. College of Charleston
Location: Charleston, SC
Number of undergraduates: 9,083
Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $40,700
Overall Niche grade: B+
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.
#36. Florida A&M University
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Number of undergraduates: 6,875
Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $37,600
Overall Niche grade: B+
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.
#35. University of Delaware
Location: Newark, DE
Number of undergraduates: 18,195
Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $57,000
Overall Niche grade: A
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.
#34. Loyola University New Orleans
Location: New Orleans, LA
Number of undergraduates: 2,446
Student-to-faculty ratio: 11:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $47,100
Overall Niche grade: B+
It's no wonder that a school located in New Orleans would know how to party—the city itself seems to value food, drink, and parades above all else. However, the university is also Jesuit, which may account for its lower ranking on this list.
#33. University of Florida
Location: Gainesville, FL
Number of undergraduates: 31,384
Student-to-faculty ratio: 19:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $56,000
Overall Niche grade: A+
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.
#32. University of South Carolina
Location: Columbia, SC
Number of undergraduates: 25,243
Student-to-faculty ratio: 17:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $44,900
Overall Niche grade: A
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."
#31. The Ohio State University
Location: Columbus, OH
Number of undergraduates: 42,003
Student-to-faculty ratio: 19:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $46,100
Overall Niche grade: A+
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).
#30. University of Miami
Location: Coral Gables, FL
Number of undergraduates: 10,216
Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $60,100
Overall Niche grade: A+
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.
#29. Rutgers University - New Brunswick
Location: Piscataway, NJ
Number of undergraduates: 33,677
Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $57,900
Overall Niche grade: A
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 Colorado - Boulder
Location: Boulder, CO
Number of undergraduates: 26,977
Student-to-faculty ratio: 18:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $50,800
Overall Niche grade: A
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.
#27. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Number of undergraduates: 28,702
Student-to-faculty ratio: 11:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $63,400
Overall Niche grade: A+
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.
#26. Michigan State University
Location: East Lansing, MI
Number of undergraduates: 35,404
Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $53,600
Overall Niche grade: A
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.
#25. San Diego State University
Location: San Diego, CA
Number of undergraduates: 27,060
Student-to-faculty ratio: 28:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $51,000
Overall Niche grade: A-
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.
#24. University of Pennsylvania
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Number of undergraduates: 10,496
Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $85,900
Overall Niche grade: A+
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.
#23. Louisiana State University
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Number of undergraduates: 22,060
Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $50,100
Overall Niche grade: A-
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.
#22. University of Missouri
Location: Columbia, MO
Number of undergraduates: 22,197
Student-to-faculty ratio: 18:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $48,300
Overall Niche grade: A
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.
#21. Clark Atlanta University
Location: Atlanta, GA
Number of undergraduates: 3,187
Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $35,500
Overall Niche grade: C+
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.
#20. University of Kansas
Location: Lawrence, KS
Number of undergraduates: 17,151
Student-to-faculty ratio: 17:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $48,800
Overall Niche grade: A
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.
#19. Syracuse University
Location: Syracuse, NY
Number of undergraduates: 14,675
Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $62,100
Overall Niche grade: A
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.
#18. University of Southern California
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Number of undergraduates: 18,631
Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $74,000
Overall Niche grade: A+
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.
#17. University of Mississippi
Location: University, MS
Number of undergraduates: 17,511
Student-to-faculty ratio: 18:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $42,700
Overall Niche grade: A-
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. Ohio University
Location: Athens, OH
Number of undergraduates: 17,695
Student-to-faculty ratio: 17:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $40,500
Overall Niche grade: A-
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.
#15. Penn State
Location: University Park, PA
Number of undergraduates: 39,785
Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $50,100
Overall Niche grade: A+
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."
#14. Miami University
Location: Oxford, OH
Number of undergraduates: 16,619
Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $47,100
Overall Niche grade: A
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.
#13. University of California - Santa Barbara
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Number of undergraduates: 21,777
Student-to-faculty ratio: 18:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $55,300
Overall Niche grade: A+
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.
#12. Southern Methodist University
Location: Dallas, TX
Number of undergraduates: 6,240
Student-to-faculty ratio: 11:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $60,700
Overall Niche grade: A+
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.
#11. University of Iowa
Location: Iowa City, IA
Number of undergraduates: 21,222
Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $51,900
Overall Niche grade: A
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.
#10. University of Texas - Austin
Location: Austin, TX
Number of undergraduates: 37,740
Student-to-faculty ratio: 18:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $58,200
Overall Niche grade: A+
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.
#9. Florida State University
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Number of undergraduates: 29,286
Student-to-faculty ratio: 22:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $46,400
Overall Niche grade: A
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.
#8. University of Alabama
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Number of undergraduates: 29,923
Student-to-faculty ratio: 23:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $44,500
Overall Niche grade: A
If there's one phrase to sum up everything University of Alabama, it has to be "Roll Tide!" This school knows how to party everywhere—from football games, to local bars, to frat houses, considering that 34% of the student body goes Greek.
#7. Indiana University - Bloomington
Location: Bloomington, IN
Number of undergraduates: 32,212
Student-to-faculty ratio: 17:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $47,700
Overall Niche grade: A
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."
#6. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Location: Champaign, IL
Number of undergraduates: 32,613
Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $61,500
Overall Niche grade: A+
In 1995, local Champaign bar owners were met with a problem: St. Patrick's Day, typically a hugely profitable day for bars, fell during the University of Illinois Spring Break. Thus was born "Unofficial," a fake St. Patrick's Day that quickly became the biggest party event of the year for Illinois students.
#5. Howard University
Location: Washington, D.C.
Number of undergraduates: 6,090
Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $49,200
Overall Niche grade: B+
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.
#4. University of Wisconsin
Location: Madison, WI
Number of undergraduates: 28,977
Student-to-faculty ratio: 18:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $56,200
Overall Niche grade: A+
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.
#3. West Virginia University
Location: Morgantown, WV
Number of undergraduates: 20,712
Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $45,800
Overall Niche grade: A-
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.
#2. University of Georgia
Location: Athens, GA
Number of undergraduates: 27,142
Student-to-faculty ratio: 17:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $50,500
Overall Niche grade: A+
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.
#1. Tulane University
Location: New Orleans, LA
Number of undergraduates: 6,716
Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1
Median earnings six years after graduation: $61,700
Overall Niche grade: A+
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."
