College students with champagne taste on a beer budget can graduate from Ramen noodles to caviar just by selecting the right location to get an education.
With inflation on the rise, colleges and universities are feeling the pinch and passing along costs to Gen X consumers. That's one of the reasons BrokeScholar said it conducted a study of 100 U.S. cities to find those with those with the best combination of low costs both on and off campus.
The Los Angeles-based platform, dedicated to helping students afford a higher education, analyzed each city in their study sample across three categories: Student demographics (percent of population in their twenties, and percent of population never married); affordability (cost of living index, average college tuition, and median rent versus the national ratio); and fun and opportunity (density of bars, unemployment rate, and a walkability and bike score).
The final score was calculated by averaging the score of the three categories to produce a final score and ranking.
Here, in ascending order, are the top 10 best college towns for cash-strapped students to thrive on a ramen budget:
10. Kalamazoo, Mich.
Whiz kids enrolled at Kalamazoo College or Western Michigan University can find plenty of science, technology, engineering and math-related employment opportunities in this Midwestern college town. Kalamazoo has a population of 76,106. The city scored highest in demographics, score a 6.92 out of 10. It had an affordability score of 5.82 and a fun and opportunity score of 3.11.
9. Ann Arbor, Mich.
Home to the sprawling University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is a bustling college town, culinary hotspot and a tech hub with a walkable downtown that includes world-class arts and culture. Ann Arbor has a population of 121,093. The city earned a demographics score of 7.23; an affordability score of 2.99; and a fun and opportunity score of 5.69.
8. Normal, Ill.
At a dizzying height of 298 feet, Normal's Waterson Towers is one of the world’s tallest dormitories. The 28-story tower houses over 2,000 students attending college in Normal. Normal has a population of 54,699. The city earned a demographics score of 6.67; an affordability score of 4.81; and a fun and opportunity score of 4.52.
7. Gainesville, Fla.
Home to the University of Florida, Gainesville offers inexpensive and often free attractions, and some of the best farm-to-fork dining around. Gainesville has a population of 133,611. The city earned a demographics score of 7.85; an affordability score of 3.99; and a fun and opportunity score of 4.81.
6. Champaign, Ill.
Champaign is a small Midwestern city that is home to the University of Illinois campus. Champaign has a population of 88,288. The city earned a demographics score of 6.62; an affordability score of 4.59; and a fun and opportunity score of 4.16.
5. Blacksburg, Va.
Students enrolled at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg will find shopping, cultural and historical attractions, and a thriving arts scene. Blacksburg has a population of 44,395. The city earned a demographics score of 8.70; an affordability score of 2.67; and a fun and opportunity score of 4.75.
4. Provo, Utah
Brigham Young University students enjoy free admission to the many museums on-campus, or they can take a short stroll to downtown Provo to take in the nightlife. Provo has a population of 116,886. The city earned a demographics score of 7.79; an affordability score of 4.66; and a fun and opportunity score of 3.93.
3. State College, Pa.
Home to Penn State University’s main campus, State College boasts small town charm coupled with urban amenities. State College has a population of 42,100. The city earned a perfect demographics score of 10; an affordability score of 2.48; and a fun and opportunity score of 4.72.
2. Lawrence, Kan.
Lawrence is home to both the University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University and offers students boutique shopping and a vibrant nightlife. Lawrence has a population of 97,348. The city earned a demographics score of 6.33; an affordability score of 5.90; and a fun and opportunity score of 5.17.
1. Manhattan, Kan.
THe city is home to Kansas State University. Manhattan has a dynamic downtown, affordable housing choices and an education-based economy. Manhattan has a population of 55,045. The city earned a demographics score of 7.41; an affordability score of 4.61; and a fun and opportunity score of 6.77.
The full report can be viewed here.