Austin Claims Top College Town Spot Again
The Texas capital leads WalletHub's 2027 rankings for the fifth straight year, beating out Ann Arbor and Pittsburgh despite high living costs.
By Elena Svoboda ·
Austin has secured the number one position in WalletHub's annual ranking of America's best college towns for 2027. This marks the fifth consecutive year the Texas capital has held the top spot.
Three key factors drove the city to the summit of the list. First, Austin outperformed major competitors such as Pittsburgh and Ann Arbor. Second, the city topped the specific list for large cities. Third, WalletHub analyzed 415 locations based on wallet friendliness, social environment, and academic opportunities.
The report cites Austin's strong economy as a primary driver. The city has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. It also posted the 34th best annual job growth rate. WalletHub noted that students have ample ways to destress after class, contributing to a 16th place ranking for social environment.
Academic infrastructure also played a role in the score. Austin ranks 22nd in the nation for higher education quality among 400+ cities. The metro area hosts six major universities, including the University of Texas at Austin, Concordia University, Huston-Tillotson University, St. Edward's University, Southwestern University, and Texas State University. The Austin Community College district extends services to towns like Lockhart, Kyle, and Round Rock.
Affordability remains the city's weakest metric. Austin ranked 188th in wallet friendliness, a category that weighs housing costs and student loan debt. In-state tuition, including room and board, averages $34,651 per year. This places the city at 112th cheapest in the nation.
Ann Arbor, Michigan, took the second position in the overall 2027 rankings. Charlottesville, Virginia, and Raleigh, North Carolina, followed in third and fourth. Seven other Texas cities made the national list. College Station placed 37th, while Plano, San Antonio, Houston, Denton, Lubbock, and Fort Worth all ranked in the top 100.
San Antonio led Texas large cities, ranking 23rd in the U.S. Houston followed at 24th. San Marcos, a neighboring city, ranked 54th among small college towns and 132th overall.
Source: Culturemap Austin
