If you are considering an investment in a college education for yourself or your kids, it's always nice to know they will attend a highly-rated school. It's a large expense, especially if you aren't planning on working while going, but how big?

Student living expenses for the 2025-2026 school year in Texas are projected to be over 36K. That's almost 150K for a four-year degree.

With all of this money going out, you want to get the best college experience you can. Luckily Texas has the highest-rated college town in the U.S.

Austin Is The Best College Town In The U.S.

I personally like Austin, and make it a point to go there for reasons other than education many times a year. If you are in town on a football game day, you will know it.

School spirit is super high and everyone is walking around wearing orange. Austin is home to U.T., but there is also Austin Community College, Texas State, Southwestern, St. Edwards, Huston-Tillotson, and more.

There are at least 18 colleges in the Austin area, more if you go out into the suburbs. They are listed as the number one college town in the U.S. according to this Wallet Hub survey.

Source: WalletHub

No More Texas Towns In The Top 12

As the infographic above outlines, there are many "college" towns in Texas. Costs are relatively low compared to universities on the coasts, so it was hard to understand why we didn't show up again until College Station at number 23.

Read More: Austin Boasts More Highly Rated Vegan Restaurants Than Any Other Texas City. 

See the full top 12 in the U.S. below.

Keep Reading: Texas Has Two Top 10 Best Cities To Drive In The U.S.  

Top 12 Best College Towns & Cities In America

In order to determine the best college towns and cities in America, WalletHub examined 415 cities of varying sizes across three key dimensions: 1) Wallet Friendliness, 2) Social Environment, and 3) Academic and Economic Opportunities.

Gallery Credit: Kyle Matthews

Ranking Every Texas College Football Mascot

Rules are simple, you must be a division one football program in the state of Texas. Bonus points if you have a real life animal as well. Let's go from worst to best.

Gallery Credit: Stryker

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