If you’re on this site, there’s a good chance you like College Football more than the NFL (or at least just as much). There’s many things that make CFB unique and special, but perhaps most important is the pageantry and spirit. That pageantry and spirit is felt most strongly in the best College Towns in America – and that makes them great places to go to school! Here’s our list of the Top 10 College Towns in America – let us know what you think in the replies!

10. Oxford, Mississippi (Ole Miss)

Oxford, MS, home of Ole Miss – Image Courtesy Southern Living

In 2021, ESPN voted Oxford, Mississippi the best College Town in the country – and we understand why. Ole Miss itself is home to one of the best gameday experiences, including the legendary “running of the tents” at the Grove, but the town of Oxford itself has plenty more to offer. Whether it’s walking through the Historic Downtown Square or enjoying the fall foliage in one of the cities many walking trails, Oxford surely deserves its spot in our top ten.

9. Eugene, Oregon (University of Oregon)

Eugene is nestled in an amazing landscape – Image Courtesy Travel2Next

Though Eugene may be known as “TrackTown”, greatly due to Nike’s connection with the University of Oregon and their historic success in running sports, the importance of the city as a college athletics hub spreads well beyond Track & Field. If you’d like to get active yourself, recreation is embedded in every part of this town, with numerous bike paths and hiking trails. Furthermore, you’re surrounded by the beautiful Pacific Northwest scenery that western Oregon has to offer while you enjoy your time outdoors. Perhaps most importantly, Eugene is one of the most vibrant and welcoming cities on this list, making it a wonderful place to go to college or visit.

8. Morgantown, West Virginia (WVU)

Morgantown is incredible in the fall – Image Courtesy iStock

The Shenandoah River and Blue Ridge mountains are two of the most beautiful things in West Virginia, but Morgantown has many other reasons for you to follow country roads there. Lying in the heart of the Appalachian mountains makes WVU’s home a great place to visit in the fall. Plus, no city on this list may be more unified in their love and support for their home university. WVU football celebrations can get rowdy, but they can also be stunningly beautiful with the amazing college tradition of “Country Roads”.

7. Austin, Texas (University of Texas)

Sixth St is the most hopping place in Austin – Image Courtesy Travel And Leisure

While some cities on this list mostly surround their respective campus, Austin obviously has some other claims to fame, being the capital of Texas and a major urban center. That being said, you’ll find no shortage of Texas Longhorn pride here. For a wild night on the town, go hit the bars and clubs on Sixth Street. For something more relaxing (or family friendly), visit the beautiful Zilker Botanical Garden, have some delicious barbecue at one of the many great restaurants, or checkout the bats under the Congress Avenue Bridge at sunset.

6. Athens, Georgia (University of Georgia)

Athens has been hailed as the best college town in the south – Image Courtesy WGAU

People may overlook Athens, GA due to the other major cities in the state – and unfairly so! Athens is home to a thriving downtown including many shops, restaurants, bars and the legendary Georgia Theatre. Athens is also home to many amazing museums including the Georgia Museum of Art, the Georgia Museum of Natural History and, for an “outdoor museum”, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia! Of course, one night seeing the Georgia Bulldogs play in the menacingly red Sanford Stadium is surely enough to convince even the most casual CFB fans that Athens is one of the best college towns in the country.

5. State College, Pennsylvania (Penn State University)

The Historic Hotel State College – Image Courtesy WHYY

A nice, friendly shopping and dining district can really vault a college town up our rankings. State College has one of the best on this list. Cap off your stroll of downtown with a meal at Allen Street Grill, located in the historic (and iconic) Hotel State College. Some of the most amazing sights in State College are on campus – be sure to visit the Old Main Building, the oldest building on campus, and the nearby Nittany Lion Shrine. To get the best view, hike Mount Nittany and take in the beauty of this definitively top 10 college town.

4. College Station, Texas (Texas A&M)

The Famous Dixie Chicken at Northgate, College Station – Image Courtesy CSTX.gov

Few towns are more synonymous with college football than College Station. Northgate is the center of nightlife here, and the best place to watch an Aggies game besides Kyle Field itself. Speaking of which, no college town on this list can hold a candle to the gameday traditions of Texas A&M and College Station. Between the Midnight Yell, cheering with the Corps of Cadets and catching a glimpse of Reveille, no other College Town may contain as much spirit. Say Howdy for us!

3. Boulder, Colorado (University of Colorado)

Boulder is surrounded by amazing views of the Rockies – Image Courtesy Boulder

The Deion Sanders era has brought a lot more attention to the University of Colorado, but this gem of a college town deserved a spot on our list long before him. Boulder brings together the best parts of many other spots on this list. The city has a vibrant downtown pedestrian district, Pearl Street Mall, where you can grab a delicious local brew (of which there are MANY) and see one of the many street performers – just sit back and take in the amazing culture here! You can also get outdoors and see mind-blowing views, either hiking the Rockies (check out the Flatirons formations) or walking Boulder Creek path. The Boulder Farmers market, Boulder Museum and Boulder Theatre are iconic locations to visit as well – once you’ve made arrangements to see Ralphie the Buffalo storm across Folsom Field, of course!

2. Ann Arbor, Michigan (University of Michigan)

Downtown Ann Arbor and the historic Michigan Theater – Image Courtesy National Life

Talk about a city surrounding a college – nearly every aspect of Ann Arbor ties back to the University of Michigan – even the iconic Michigan Theater sign glows Maize and Blue. Obviously a gameday in the Big House (the largest stadium in the country and second largest in the world) is the key occasion, but there is much more fun to be had in Ann Arbor. Main Street is a great place for a night out (or a day of shopping, particularly if you’re looking for Michigan Football apparel). The Huron River runs right through the town, and you can behold its beauty from Nichols Arboretum. That being said, like all of the great college towns on this list, it’s the tenacity of the fans and prevalent college spirit that make Ann Arbor stand out.

1. Madison, Wisconsin (University of Wisconsin)

State Street, Madison, with the lakeview in the back – Image Courtesy UW

It takes a lot to be crowned the #1 College Town in the country, but no school is more deserving than Madison Wisconsin. The home of the Wisconsin Badgers, unsurprisingly, has many of the best bars for a pint (or a brat, if you hit State Street Brats). Many are just a short walk from the amazing and historic Camp Randall stadium. State Street itself is perhaps the best part of this college town. A few pedestrian friendly shopping districts have made this list, but State Street wins our award for the most impressive. The entire street leads right up the majestic Wisconsin State Capitol, with the other side connecting to the University of Wisconsin. Some towns on our list have boasted views of bodies of water – Madison itself is an isthmus, running right between two! The beautiful Lake Monona and Lake Mendota are great places to sail or kayak – some even ice skate in the winter time. Madison also has amazing museums, best known for its Wisconsin Veterans museum (for military history) and the Chazen Museum of Art. Combining all of these amazing activities with one of the strongest spirits in college football, Madison Wisconsin is our definitive choice for best College Town in America. Are you ready to Jump Around?

Want to rep your college town? You can get 15% off your Homefield Apparel order by using code CFBSELECT – check out their designs for your school, here!