Top 10 Great College Towns

10. Amherst, Mass.

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This small town in Western Massachusetts is home to three schools, including the main campus of the University of Massachusetts, and is just around the corner from two more. That makes for an interesting mix of people and great dining options.

9. Ann Arbor, Mich.

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Fall is a big season for the University of Michigan Wolverines, whose football program has historically been one of the best in the nation and a big local draw. It only helps that Ann Arbor is walkable and easy on the eyes.

8. Athens, Ga.

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The city is built around the University of Georgia, where the Bulldogs reign supreme. But football and tailgating aren’t all that Athens offers. There’s also great art and music: Both R.E.M. and the B-52s started in Athens and performed at venues like the 40 Watt Club.

7. Austin

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Sure, it’s the fourth-largest city in Texas and the state’s capital, but Austin, the hometown of the University of Texas, has a small-town feel to it. Austin is as green as it gets, and Travel and Leisuremagazine said it has some of the best people in the country.

6. Berkeley, Calif.

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University of California’s main campus is in this Bay Area town, a place that has almost become synonymous with the phrase “college town.” Berkeley features tons of art, film, music, and political activity, and it’s just a short drive across the bay to San Francisco.

5. Boston

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It’s a big city, like Austin, but there are scores of colleges in the metro area (one estimate says there are more than 250,000 college students) and there’s plenty to do: sports, historical attractions, arts, music, bars, and more.

4. Boulder, Colo.

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Blessed with a Rocky Mountain backdrop, the home of the University of Colorado is famous for its great outdoors and fun community atmosphere. Boulder hosts multiple film festivals and was rated one of the 10 best cities for the next decade byKiplinger’s Personal Financemagazine.

3. Chapel Hill, N.C.

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A charming town in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, Chapel Hill eats, sleeps, and breathes University of North Carolina hoops. And downtown’s Franklin Street is one of the most famous thoroughfares around, with bars, coffee shops, museums, and a vibrant night life.

2. Charlottesville, Va.

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University of Virginia lives here, as did three former presidents and musician Dave Matthews. The aesthetically pleasing community about 115 miles from Washington offers lots of attractions, like hiking and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello mansion.

1. Madison, Wis.

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The capital of Wisconsin regularly rates among the best cities to live in America. University of Wisconsin plays a major role in the community, and, if you missed out on the college experience, the Daily Beastlisted Madison as one of the top places for college graduates, too.

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Top 25 Best Mascots In College Sports

25. Minnesota: Goldy Gopher

24. Florida: Albert and Alberta Gator

23. South Carolina: Cocky

22. Alabama: Big Al

21. TCU: Super Frog

20. Nebraska: Li’l Red

19. Louisiana-Lafayette: Cayenne

18. Delta State: Fighting Okra

17. Wake Forest: The Demon Deacon

16. Georgia Tech: The Ramblin’ Wreck

15. Oklahoma: The Sooner Schooner

14. Tennessee: Smokey

13. Michigan State: Sparty

12. Miami: Sebastian the Ibis

11. Stanford: The Tree

10. West Virginia: The Mountaineer

9. Western Kentucky: Big Red

8. Syracuse: Otto the Orange

7. Auburn: War Eagle

6. Colorado: Ralphie

5. Oregon: Puddles

4. Texas: Bevo

3. LSU: Mike the Tiger

2. Georgia: Uga

1. Florida State: Chief Osceola

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Top 10 Sports Colleges

1. Stanford University

With an impressive record in virtually every varsity sport, this Ivy League school holds the top ranking among sports colleges. Stanford has brought home the NACDA Director's Cup award for Division I sports for the past 15 years, qualifying it as best overall for collegiate sports in the United States.

With a staff of over 100 coaches and assistants, 34 varsity sports, and about 300 athletic scholarships, it's no wonder this school presented 49 athletes in the 2008 Beijing Winter Olympics and has over 9,000 students enrolled in intramural sports in any given semester.

2. University of Florida

Florida is renowned in a number of varsity sports, notably excelling in women's swimming and men's track and field in the 2009-2010 season. The Gators are also known for their strong contenders in football, men's basketball, and women's golf, soccer, football, tennis, and volleyball.

3. University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)

One of the country's most widely recognized sports schools, UCLA was the first university to win over 100 NCAA championships, making the Bruins a fixture among the top basketball schools. UCLA is also renowned for its women's sports performances, with the softball, track, gymnastics, and rowing teams excelling in 2009-2010.

4. University of Virginia

The Cavaliers raced to top positions in women's rowing and men's soccer in the past year, among the school's other sporting achievements.

5. University of North Carolina

North Carolina has won 51 titles and 34 national championships in 6 different sports, making its mark as one of the top sports colleges in the United States. The university is known for its basketball team, as well as women's soccer, women's field hockey, and men's lacrosse.

6. Ohio State University

Ohio State has brought home championship wins in all three of the biggest men's sports: basketball, football, and baseball. The school is also known for victories in men's diving, swimming, golf, track, gymnastics, men's and women's fencing, and more.

7. Florida State University

Florida State is a top contender in a number of college athletics programs, including football, basketball, softball, soccer, volleyball, swimming, and diving. They finished 5th in the 2009-2010 NACDA reckoning of sports colleges, placing them in the top 5 for the first time.

8. University of Texas

This Texas school has won more titles than any other school in the Big 12 League since it was founded in 1996. They're especially known for their excellence in football, as well as putting forward strong contenders in track and baseball.

9. University of Southern California

Southern California is best known for its varsity football team, which has won 11 championships, but also excels in basketball and a host of other college athletics.

10. University of Georgia

With rigorous academic requirements for all athletes, Georgia is setting the pace for a new paradigm of scholarships among its top level football, baseball, gymnastics, tennis, and swim teams.

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Top 10 Fine Arts Schools

Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland

• Accreditation: Middle State Association of College & Schools Commission on Higher Education, National Association of Schools of Art & Design
• Notable alumni: Jeff Koons*
• $29,700 for one full year
• Recent visiting artists: David Byrne, Odd Nerdrum, Ben Katchor, Barry Levinson, Ishmael Reed.
• This writer is biased toward this school as both grandfathers attended when it was a drafting school, and this writer graduated from MICA in 1988. This art school is considered somewhat traditional in that it stresses learning to draw academically from nude models and life. This top notch art education will give you the problem-solving skills and discipline you need to conquer the world and find a job. MICA also cares about artists learning to write and has an incredible English Department faculty who will teach you how to write like a pro. Visit MICA to see if this funky, urban campus is for you.
• www.mica.edu

* per Jim Cain, MICA alum and former roommate of JK.

Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island

• While this is the priciest school on the list, RISD also has the best reputation, especially as a school for industrial designers.
• $32,858 for one full year
• Recent visiting artists: Alexander Isley, Joyce Scott, James Rosenquist
• Accreditation: American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD), National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC), New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC)
• www.risd.edu

Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, Ohio

• This art school was originally named the Western Reserve School of Design for Women.
• Recent visiting artists: Joyce Scott, Dale Chihuly, Mark Olitsky, Moe Brooker, Sam Gilliam, Elizabeth Murray
• $28,100 for one full year
• Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and is also a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design and the Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education.
• www.cia.edu

Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Missouri

• Some of this art school's famous attendees include the animator Walt Disney and painter Robert Rauschenberg.
• Recent visiting artists: Chip Kidd, Marilyn Stokstad
• $27,220 for one full year
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
• www.kcai.edu

School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

• Notable alumni of this art school include Thomas Hart Benton, Leon Golub, Edward Gorey, Halston, Hugh Hefner, Jeff Koons, Bill Mauldin, Elizabeth Murray, Joan Mitchell, Georgia O'Keefe, Klaes Oldenburg, and Grant Wood.
• Recent visiting artists: Jim Elkins, Vito Acconci, Enzo Mari
• $32,550 for one full year
• Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, National Association of Schools of Art and Design. The School's Art Education program is certified by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), and shares reciprocity with most states in the United States. Its Art Therapy program is approved by the Education and Approval Board of the American Art Therapy Association.
• www.saic.edu

Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, California

• Distinguished alumni include: Edith Head, Philip Guston and Robert Irwin.
• Recent visiting artists: Dave Hickey, Marsha TuckerAccreditation: The Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, The National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
• $28,346 for one full year
• www.otis.edu

California College of the Arts, San Francisco, California

• Notable alumni include Manuel Neri and Robert Arneson.
• Recent visiting artists: Hans Haacke, Catherine Wagner, Chip Lord, Amy Balkin, Yvonne Rainer
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges, National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the National Architectural Accrediting Board, and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation.
• $29,280 for one full year
• www.cca.edu

Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Recent visiting artists: Robert Colescott, Alexander Isley, James Elkins, Lisa Yuskavage and Vito Aconcci.
• Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Art and Design and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The Architecture Program is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board.
• $22,270 out of state
• $12,398 in state
• Tyler School of Art is the bargain on this list, and also is a part of Temple University.
• www.temple.edu/tyler

Corcoran College of Art and Design, Washington DC

• www.corcoran.edu
• Recent visiting artists: Sam Gilliam, Larry Fink
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• $25,890 for one full year
• The Corcoran Gallery of Art is a fine museum amongst a sea of fine museums in Washington DC.
• www.corcoran.org/index.asp

Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York

• Notable alumni include Dave Berg (Cartoonist for Mad Magazine), Jules Feiffer, Eva Hesse, Robert Mapplethorpe, George Lois, Harvey Fierstein, Ellsworth Kelly, Peter Max, Beverly Pepper, Paul Rand, Robert Redford Robert Sabuda, Max Weber and Rob Zombie.
• Accreditation: Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research, and the National Architectural Accreditation Board.
• $29,900 for one full year
• www.pratt.edu

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Top 10 Most Expensive Colleges

10. University of Chicago
The University of Chicago costs $57,712.

9. Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore costs $57,820.

8. New School Parsons School of Design
The New School Parsons School of Design in New York City costs $57,910.

7. Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., costs $57,996.

6. Claremont McKenna College
Claremont McKenna College, a liberal arts college in Claremont, Calif., costs $58,065.

5. Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University, a liberal arts college in Middletown, Conn., costs $58,502.

4. Columbia University
Columbia University in New York City, one of the Ivy League schools, costs $58,742.

3. Harvey Mudd College
Harvey Mudd College, a hybrid liberal arts and engineering school in Claremont, Calif., costs $58,913.

2. New York University
New York University in New York City, which typically makes the list of the most expensive universities, costs $59,337.

1. Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, N.Y., again ranks as the most expensive college in America, costing $61,236.

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Top 10 Cheapest Public Colleges

10. Macon State College
Warner Robins, Ga. 

Average Net Price: 0 (!) 
Total Price: $3,402 

9. South Texas College
Rio South Texas Region 

Average Net Price: $325 
Total Price: $5,657 

8. Texas A&M International University
Laredo, Texas 

Average Net Price: $1,255 
Total Price: $10,108 

7. Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, N.C. 

Average Net Price: $1,442 
Total Price: 8,812 

6. University of Texas-Pan American
Edinburg, Texas 

Average Net Price: $1,482 
Total Price: $10,692 

5. Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Fla. 

Average Net Price: $1,756 
Total Price: $6,315 

4. California State University-Dominguez Hills
South Bay region, Los Angeles County, Calif. 

Average Net Price: $2,018 
Total Price: $10,881 

3. University of Texas-El Paso
El Paso, Texas 

Average Net Price: $2,446 
Total Price: $13,655 

2. Edison State College
Fort Myers, Fla. 

Average Net Price: $3,326 
Total Price: $10,438 

1. Palm State Beach College
Lake Worth, Fla. 

Average Net Price: $3,486 
Tuition Price: $7,682 

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Top 10 Colleges For Musicians

1. Berklee school of Music, Hub of the Universe MA – Berklee may be a world leader in music education. If you’re trying to pursue a career in jazz, rock, or music business, Berklee is one in every of the simplest selections. celebrated alumni embrace Branford Marsalis, John Mayer, Aimee Mann, and plenty of alternative high names in music these days. the college offers degree specializations in performance, music business, management, publicity, and production.

2. The Julliard faculty, Manhattan, American state – maybe the foremost prestigious music faculty within the country, Julliard alumni have put together won [as of 2012] over one zero five Grammy Awards, sixty two Tony Awards, forty seven laurels Awards, twenty six Bessie Awards, twenty four Academy Awards, sixteen publisher Prizes, and twelve National Medals for the humanities. Julliard’s mission is to supply the very best caliber of education to musicians, dancers, and performers from round the world. It’s a troublesome faculty to urge into, however one which will open doors for the remainder of your career. the college offers degrees in music, dance, and performance.

3. University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL – Frost faculty of Music at UM offers over fifty four collegian and graduate degree programs to satisfy nearly each musical interest. whether or not you’re fascinated by performance, composition, education, music medical aid, jazz studies or conducting, you'll be able to study it here. It’s one in every of the highest faculties within the country for composition. Grammy winner Esperanza Spaulding is one in every of the various celebrated alumni.

4. industrialist faculty (University of Rochester) Rochester, American state – within the 2008 Kaplan/Newsweek “How to urge Into College” guide, industrialist was named the “hottest music faculty in America.” industrialist offers a legendary syllabus that prepares you for all times within the music profession.  Classical, jazz performance studies, and composition degrees area unit out there, among others.

5. geographical region Conservatory of Music, Boston, MA – The inflammatory disease is that the oldest freelance faculty of music within the North American nation. they provide collegian and graduate programs educated by a first school, and programs in classical and jazz studies. the college conjointly offers one in every of the few experimental music programs. celebrated alumni embrace instrumentalist Dave European nation, rock musician Bernie Worrell, and jazz performers married woman Z and John Medeski.

6. plant scientist Institute of Music, Philadelphia, PA – plant scientist is exclusive therein it provides full educational scholarships to all or any students WHO area unit accepted. Admissions area unit strictly supported creative promise, and it’s an especially selective method. Students attending receive excellent personal attention and access to a motivating visiting creative person program. plant scientist is preponderantly a music genre faculty, however they are doing provide programs in piano, guitar, composition, conducting, organ, and clavier.

7. Manhattan faculty of Music, Manhattan American state – What began as atiny low community faculty for music in 1917, the Manhattan faculty of Music has adult into one in every of the simplest music schools within the nation. the college offers a variety of collegian, masters, and academic degree programs in jazz and classical studies, furthermore as composition. celebrated alumni embrace Herbie American Revolutionary leader, Harry Connick Jnr., Max Roach, and martyr Manahan, conductor of the the big apple town Opera.

8. University of North Lone-Star State school of Music, Denton, Texas – In 2012 the UNT Division of Jazz Studies had the foremost musical rhythm Magazine Student Award winners of any music program within the country.  UNT offers an intensive syllabus, as well as performance, instrumental studies, music and drugs, music history, and composition degrees. If you're fascinated by enjoying in massive jazz ensembles, UNT is that the place to be.

9. The New faculty, Manhattan, American state – The New faculty may be a legendary progressive university comprising many faculties, as well as the Mannes school for music genre studies and therefore the New faculty for Jazz and up to date Music. The New faculty takes a mentor approach to education and options school WHO area unit internationally-recognized performers. many collegian, graduate, and continued education schemes area unit out there.

10. point of entry Conservatory, point of entry, CA – supported in 1917, SFC offers a full vary of graduate and postgraduate degrees. It’s a various, doctrine atmosphere that includes music genre instruction altogether areas from composition through individual instrumental study. Students have gone on to perform in several of the highest orchestras within the world.

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Best Film Schools (2013)

6. Columbia University

5. California Institute of the Arts

4. University of California, Los Angeles

3. New York University

2. American Film Institute

1. University of Southern California

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Top 10 Party Schools (2013)

10. Syracuse University – Syracuse, NY

9. Miami University – Oxford, OH

8. Florida State University – Tallahassee, FL

7. University of California – Santa Barbara – Santa Barbara, CA

6. University of Florida – Gainesville, FL

5. University of Georgia – Athens, GA

4. University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign, IL

3. Ohio University – Athens, OH

2. University of Iowa – Iowa City, IA

1. West Virginia University – Morgantown, WV

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Best Universities Nationwide

10 (tie). Dartmouth College (NH)

Total undergraduate enrollment: 4,194 

2012-2013 tuition & fees:$45,042

Regular decision application deadline:January 1

10 (tie). California Institute of Technology

Total undergraduate enrollment: 978

2012-2013 tuition & fees:$39,588

Regular decision application deadline:January 1

8 (tie). University of Pennsylvania

Total undergraduate enrollment: 9,779

2012-2013 tuition & fees:$43,738

Regular decision application deadline:January 1

8 (tie). Duke University (NC)

Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,680

2012-2013 tuition & fees:$43,623

Regular decision application deadline:January 2

6 (tie). Stanford University (CA)

Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,988

2012-2013 tuition & fees:$41,787

Regular decision application deadline:January 1

6 (tie). Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Total undergraduate enrollment: 4,384

2012-2013 tuition & fees:$42,050

Regular decision application deadline:January 1

4 (tie). University of Chicago

Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,388

2012-2013 tuition & fees:$44,574

Regular decision application deadline:January 3

4 (tie). Columbia University (NY)

Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,027

2012-2013 tuition & fees:$47,246

Regular decision application deadline:January 1

3. Yale University (CT)

Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,349

2012-2013 tuition & fees:$42,300

Regular decision application deadline:December 31

1 (tie). Princeton University (NJ)

Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,249

2012-2013 tuition & fees:$38,650

Regular decision application deadline:January 1

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