Are Ann Arbor and East Lansing great college towns? This is where they rank in the U.S.

With a mix of historic campuses, vibrant downtown energy and deep industrial roots, metro Detroit has long been a powerhouse for higher education in the Midwest. From Wayne State University in the heart of the city to Oakland University in Rochester and the University of Michigan just down the road in Ann Arbor, the region attracts students seeking both academic rigor and real-world experience.

But a college’s setting is more than just a backdrop. It shapes how students live, learn and connect beyond the classroom. The cost of living, local job market and cultural opportunities all play key roles in a student’s success — academically, professionally and personally. But finding a city that balances affordability, opportunity and atmosphere can be just as important as picking the right major.

To help prospective students compare college destinations, WalletHub analyzed more than 400 U.S. cities for its 2026 Best College Cities and Towns in America report. The study examined 31 key indicators — from housing costs and safety to academic quality and social life — offering a data-driven snapshot of where students can get the best overall experience during their college years.

Where these Detroit suburbs ranked

Ann Arbor ranked No. 2 on the list with a score of 62.22, a Wallet Friendliness Rank of 204, a Social Environment Rank of 29 and an Academic & Economic Opportunities Rank of 22. With schools like the University of Michigan and Concordia University Ann Arbor, it’s easy to see why the suburb ranked so high.

East Lansing, home to Michigan State University, also made the top 50 at No. 40 on the list with a score of 53.69, Wallet Friendliness Rank of 31, a Social Environment Rank of 38 and an Academic & Economic Opportunities Rank of 319.

Detroit ranked 319 on the list with a score of 44.32, a Wallet Friendliness Rank of 74, a Social Environment Rank of 268 and an Academic & Economic Opportunities Rank of 378.

Other Michigan cities worth noting: 

• Ypsilanti: Ranked 182 with a score of 48.67
• Lansing: Ranked 190 wit ha score of 48. 42
• Sterling Heights: Ranked 278 with a score of 45.76
• Dearborn: Ranked 321 with a score of 44.21

Methodology

To identify the best college towns and cities in the U.S., WalletHub analyzed 415 locations of varying sizes across three major categories: Wallet Friendliness, Social Environment and Academic & Economic Opportunities.

Each of these dimensions was evaluated using 31 key metrics, weighted according to their importance. Every factor was scored on a 100-point scale, with 100 representing the most favorable conditions for college students. For certain indicators (marked with an asterisk *), WalletHub used the square root of the population to ensure that small variations in city size didn’t skew the results.

Researchers then calculated a weighted average score for each city across all metrics to produce an overall ranking. For simplicity, the term “cities” in this report includes both cities and towns.

Only places with a college or university population of at least 7,500 students were considered. Some eligible cities were excluded due to insufficient data. To allow fair comparison, each location was categorized by population size:

• Large Cities: More than 300,000 residents
• Midsize Cities: 125,000 to 300,000 residents
• Small Cities: Fewer than 125,000 residents

It’s also worth noting that WalletHub evaluated only the city proper — not surrounding suburbs or metro areas — to maintain consistency in the analysis.

from Metro Parent https://ift.tt/om84TMZ