If you’re looking for the classic feel of a small town college, then this list is for you.
Each of the colleges in these rankings are found in towns around the country, meaning they’re not in major metropolitan areas, but also not entirely isolated from society.
Many are situated inside traditional college towns, which have a small population of permanent residents but are largely populated by the students attending the college. Others are simply headquartered in or adjacent to an existing town.
Either way, these small town colleges offer their students a cozier feel, without complete separation from outside life. Many still have access to local restaurants and shops in the area, outside of the main campus.
Note: These colleges are ranked on academic quality, and segmented as being based in a small town. These rankings are not based on the town itself.
Here are the 25 best small town colleges:
25. Hobart and William Smith Colleges
By Circuitloss [Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons
Geneva, NY
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,368
Learn more about Hobart William Smith Colleges
24. The College of Wooster
By Alan Levine from Strawberry, United States (https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/8763642310/) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Wooster, OH
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,116
Learn more about The College of Wooster
23. Taylor University
By Cazel91 (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Upland, IN
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,146
Learn more about Taylor University
22. Allegheny College
By Joshtys (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Meadville, PA
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,161
Learn more about Allegheny College
21. St Lawrence University
By Ross P. Robinson (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Canton, NY
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,414
Learn more about St Lawrence University
20. Wabash College
By Wally (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Crawfordsville, IN
Undergraduate enrollment: 902
Learn more about Wabash College
19. Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, MN
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,449
Learn more about Gustavus Adolphus College
18. Centre College
By Dfritter4 (Own work) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Danville, KY
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,381
Learn more about Centre College
17. Miami University-Oxford
“Muohioharrison“. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons.
Oxford, OH
Undergraduate enrollment: 15,462
Learn more about Miami University – Oxford
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16. SUNY College at Geneseo
Benjamin D. Esham / Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 3.0 us], via Wikimedia Commons
Geneseo, NY
Undergraduate enrollment: 5,504
Learn more about SUNY College at Geneseo
15. Grove City College
By The enlightenment at en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons
Grove City, PA
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,491
Learn more about Grove City College
14. DePauw University
By Rovergirl88 at English Wikipedia(Original text: Rovergirl88 (talk)) (Own work (Original text: self-made)) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Greencastle, IN
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,304
Learn more about DePauw University
13. St. Olaf College
By Daniel Edwins a.k.a. Webmoof of English Wikipedia (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons
Northfield, MN
Undergraduate enrollment: 3,125
12. Oberlin College
By Daderot (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Oberlin, OH
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,894
Learn more about Oberlin College
11. Kenyon College
Source: Flickr user curtsm.
Gambier, OH
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,705
Learn more about Kenyon College
10. Bucknell University
Source: Flickr user mason13a.
Lewisburg, PA
Undergraduate enrollment: 3,532
Learn more about Bucknell College
9. Colby College
Source: Flickr user metimbers2009.
Waterville, ME
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,820
Learn more about Colby College
8. Grinnell College
Source: Flickr user silversprite.
Grinnell, IA
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,721
7. Colgate University
“Colgate University Across Taylor Lake” by Balon Greyjoy – Own work. Licensed under CC0 via Commons.
Hamilton, NY
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,890
Learn more about Colgate University
6. Middlebury College
“Midd wiki 2“. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikipedia.
Middlebury, VT
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,495
Learn more about Middlebury College
5. Carleton College
By Dogs1337 (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
Northfield, MN
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,045
4. Washington and Lee University
Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Lexington, VA
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,855
Learn more about Washington and Lee
3. Bowdoin College
Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Brunswick, ME
Undergraduate enrollment: 1,795
Learn more about Bowdoin College
2. Dartmouth College
“Dartmouth College campus 2007-10-20 09” by Kane5187 – Own work. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons.
Hanover, NH
Undergraduate enrollment: 4,276
1. Williams College
“Ephtowers” by SERSeanCrane – Flickr. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Commons.
Williamstown, MA
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,096
Learn more about Williams College
About our methodology
Colleges are ranked based on a combination of factors, including graduation rates, campus diversity, endowment per student, and other data as reported via the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the most recently-available enrollment year. Some colleges may have been excluded from rankings based on certain criteria, including specialization and classification. Learn about our full methodology
View all of the 2016 Best Colleges rankings from College Raptor
