College living costs for nine to 12 months are up to $24,980 per student, according to Wallethub. That's a heavy financial burden for college students who still have to factor in what to do post-college and how to make the most out of their college experience.
Wallethub analyzed 415 cities and towns to evaluate which of them are not only wallet friendly, but also a hub for social connections, academic development and economic opportunities.
For example, Isla Vista, Calif., ranked in the top five for having the lowest "brain drain," meaning graduates are least likely to search for better work opportunities elsewhere.
This ranking from Wallethub compares cities and towns with populations of 125,000 or less.
No. 10: College Station, Texas
Home to Texas A&M, College Station ranked somewhat high for its wallet friendliness, social environment and educational and economic opportunities.
No. 9: Berkeley, Calif.
Ranked in Wallethub's top five for cities with the highest quality of education, Berkeley also has a decent social environment for college students. However, Wallethub ranked it very low for being wallet unfriendly.
No. 8: Orem, Utah
Orem has good job and educational opportunities for college students, according to Wallethub. But its social environment ranked low.
No. 7: Amherst Center, Mass.
With more than a few colleges residing in it, Amherst Center is ranked at 27 in social environment and 80 in opportunities, but only 243 in wallet friendliness.
No. 6: East Lansing, Mich.
This city came in the top 100 for how wallet friendly and social it is, and Wallethub gave a decent rating for the amount of educational and economic opportunities it has to offer.
No. 5: Storrs, Conn.
Even though Wallethub considers Storrs wallet unfriendly, the city came in moderately high in social environment and academic and economic opportunities.
No. 4: West Lafayette, Ind.
Across the board, West Lafayette had fair rankings in affordability, social environment and educational and economic opportunities for college students.
No. 3: Provo, Utah
Home to a handful of institutions, this college town has high ratings in opportunities and wallet friendliness, and is decent for social environment.
No. 2: Rexburg, Idaho
Rexburg is in second place in wallet friendliness and in the top 20s for its educational and economic offerings, but was below average in social environment.
No. 1: Ann Arbor, Mich.
This city is in Wallethub's top 20s in rankings for social environment and academic and economic opportunities, but low in wallet friendliness.
