The term party school is used to refer to a college or university that has a general culture of licentiousness at the expense of educational credibility.
Of course, all colleges have parties, but a “party school” has many more than normal. For many people, the university is a time to meet and mingle while for some students, finding a school where the campus culture prioritises fun is an important factor.
The unique thing about party schools is that they offer a mix of excitement and academics for students, they have a variety of clubs and organisations.
Note that it’s very possible to choose a college where you can get a quality education and have fun at the same time which is why we have put together the top 25 party schools in America ranked for 2024.
Top 25 Party Schools In America Ranked For 2024-Reviewed
Here’s a look at the top 25 party schools in America:
1. University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign
Location: Urbana, IL
Intelligent Score: 87.35
Average Tuition: In-State: $16,866 – $21,960 per year; Out-of-State: $34,316 – $39,410 per year
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Student Enrollment: 41,763
At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, there are several bars available to students, such as Illini Inn and Legends, with almost 100 fraternities and sororities, a Big Ten football team, and an annual fair called Quad Day.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has earned its spot as one of the top party schools.
The university boasts over 1,800 student organisations, each offering various events and festivities throughout the year. During Quad Day held annually in the fall, students can explore and learn about these different activities and opportunities to socialise.
The school is the best of both worlds from a highly tense education scene to a party scene at night. Students will continue to prove true to the “ work hard, play hard: motto as the year progresses.
Every blessed year, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign organises an annual day of drinking which is formally referred to as “Unofficial”. The peculiar aspect of this event which usually takes place in March is that it’s known to experience a handful of lethal accidents.
2. University Of Wisconsin-Madison
Location: Madison, WI
Intelligent Score: 96.6
Average Tuition: In-State: $10,796 per year; Out-of-State: $39,427 per year
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Student Enrollment: 37,046
The University of Wisconsin-Madison, established in 1848 and situated on Lakes Monona and Mendota, is a premier research institution globally.
With over 37,000 students and more than 9,000 courses to choose from, the University of Wisconsin strikes the right balance between nightlife and academic life.
The main campus is located near the middle of town and is at 1 end of State Street, which has everything one would want in terms of social life, music, bars, and more. The school has a party school rep, but there is so much to do besides drink, Clubs, trips, sports, arts – whatever your interest, you’ll find it.
On every first Saturday in May, students normally attend the Mifflin Street block party to celebrate the end of a long Wisconsin winter with thousands of fellow revellers.
3. Endicott College
Location: Beverly, MA
Intelligent Score: 98.1
Average Tuition: $35,764 per year
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
Student Enrollment: 2,854
Endicott College is located in Beverly, MA, less than an hour north of Boston. Endicott College does not really have any Greek life opportunities but has many options for athletes.
Although it’s one of the smallest schools on our list, Endicott College has a seaside campus and three private beaches.
Endicott focuses on “experiential learning,” and requires students to take on three internships over the course of their degree. Popular majors include Business, Marketing, and Nursing.
4. Indiana University Bloomington
Location: Bloomington, Indiana, United States
Intelligent Score: 98.1
Average Tuition: $11,447 for in-state and $39,120 for out-of-state students
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
Campus: Small City, 1,937 acres (7.84 km2)
IU is a party school, the general impression is that the only activities involved are drinking and watching sports. It is ideal for students who want to attend a diverse college.
With over 750 student organisations and more than 65 fraternities and sororities, IU’s football season is marked by the enthusiastic tailgating of students and fans, who extend the festivities across the campus.
The city of Bloomington is home to several popular college bars, such as Kilroys Sports and Nick’s English Hut, that offer happy hours and late-night entertainment throughout the year.
These bars are especially popular among students on game days.
5. West Virginia University
Location: Morgantown, WV
Intelligent Score: 95.68
Average Tuition: In-State: $8,976 per year; Out-of-State: $25,320 per year
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Student Enrollment: 25,425
Established in 1867 as a public land-grant institution, West Virginia University in Morgantown has a long history of providing quality education to students.
The party scene revolves around football and basketball games, as well as traditions like Mountaineer Week, with a craft fair, singing competition, and square dances.
Every fall, incoming first-year and returning students celebrate with FallFest, a week-long event that includes musical performances and free food vouchers. Some of the famous musical guests who have headlined the event in the past include Maroon 5 and Kanye West.
During football season, students can enjoy hours of tailgating before the games. West Virginia University has over 22,000 undergraduates, around half of whom live on campus, giving Morgantown an active party life.
6. The University Of Alabama
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Intelligent Score: 91.33
Average Tuition: In-State: $10,780 per year; Out-of-State: $30,250 per year
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Student Enrollment: 31,533
The University of Alabama is known for providing the students with a fun and festive introduction to life in Tuscaloosa.
Tuscaloosa is known as a place for parties with a lot of bar scenes. So as the university is directly adjacent to the town, the students have a better opportunity to party.
At the University of Alabama, You’ll find plenty of college bars and an active football scene with pre-games traditions, and each new year they host a lot of events with food, music and drinks for both the newly admitted students and the returning students.
Greek life is popular at the university, with over 11,500 students participating and gaining access to college parties.
The school also offers a family-friendly pregame area. Long-held traditions like the Elephant Stomp and the Walk of Champions are also part of the tailgating experience.
7. University Of Georgia
Location: Athens, GA
Intelligent Score: 91.07
Average Tuition: In-State: $9,790 per year; Out-of-State: $28,830 per year
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Student Enrollment: 37,565
Georgia is a highly rated public large institution located in Athens and specialising in Finance, Psychology, and Biology.
There’s a wide variety of bars to choose from in downtown Athens, The university has a rich football tradition and if you can catch a football game against their longtime rival Florida State, you’ll see how loud the campus can get.
The school is one of the ranking party schools in the USA with over 27,000 undergraduate students and has a prominent fraternity and sorority community that promotes leadership and diversity.
One of the year’s biggest events is the Pajama Jam known as the “biggest party in the southeast.” a fundraising party thrown by Alpha Phi Alpha to benefit the March of Dimes.
8. Florida State University
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Intelligent Score: 95.41
Average Tuition: In-State: $6,516 per year; Out-of-State: $21,683 per year
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Student Enrollment: 43,953
The school is one of the best party colleges, the Tallahassee city where the school is located offers students many options for bars, clubs, residence hall parties, and restaurants. 83% of students graduate with popular majors.
Florida State University is known for its tailgating parties, including the Garnet & Gold Tailgate, which is hosted by the Division of Student Affairs.
They have over 800 clubs and student organisations, providing plenty of opportunities for social gatherings on campus. With over 6,000 members across 54 fraternities and sororities, these organisations can serve alcohol at on-campus events and activities with university permission.
9. Pennsylvania State University
Location: University Park, PA
Intelligent Score: 88.35
Average Tuition: In-State: $17,920 per year; Out-of-State: $34,984 per year
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Student Enrollment: 44,704
Pennsylvania State University, situated in University Park, it has several campuses located throughout the state, the University Park campus is the largest, with up to 40,000 undergraduates living there during the school year.
Food and beer have been provided by college bars like the All-American Rathskeller to the Penn State community since the 1930s.
Students can enjoy a pub-style setting without having to leave campus by attending events like Winesdays at Whiskers.
10. University Of Texas At Austin
Location: Austin, TX
Intelligent Score: 92.63
Average Tuition: In-State: $10,858 – $13,576 per year; Out-of-State: $38,650 – $46,498 per year
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Student Enrollment: 47,087
The city of Austin, where the University of Texas at Austin is located, is known for its lively culture and artistic vibe.
Annually, the university hosts RoundUp, which provides food, drinks, and music for both UT Austin students and the Austin community.
Students can also perform at open mic nights, attend football games, and participate in fraternity and sorority life. The school is known for its music and food, the city offers students Southern hospitality and a late-night dining experience.
The vibrant music scene in Austin allows students to attend numerous concerts, and various local music venues offer a range of entertainment options.
Every weekend, Sixth Street in downtown Austin is shut down for a street party where students can visit bars, pubs, and craft breweries without having to pay cover charges.
11. University of California, Santa Barbara
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Intelligent Score: 94.93
Average Tuition: In-State: $11,442 per year; Out-of-State: $29,754 per year
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Student Enrollment: 25,450
UC Santa Barbara is a highly rated public university located in California. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 22,480 undergraduate students. Popular majors include Sociology, Economics, and Communications.
Santa Barbara’s coastal location and pleasant year-round weather make it an attractive option for many college students.
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True to its progressive nature, the school maintains a Community Relations Committee to stay on good terms with year-round residents, as well as a “Life of the Party” organisation that promotes safe partying habits.
There’s no football team and only a small Greek life scene, so expect relaxed West Coast vibes ranging from house parties to dodgeball tournaments.
12. Tulane University
Location: New Orleans, LA
Intelligent Score: 91.9
Average Tuition: $56,684 per year
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Student Enrollment: 12,370
Tulane University is one of the top 25 party schools in America ranked for 2023, it is Located in the Uptown area of New Orleans, Tulane is surrounded by stunning mansions, Audubon Park, Loyola University, and a family-centred neighbourhood.
Downtown New Orleans is just five miles away, so students have the advantage of a quintessential college campus combined with easy access to a vibrant city.
With a high percentage of students taking part in Greek life, there are no shortage of parties to attend. That said, it doesn’t stop the students from excelling academically.
13. Syracuse University
Location: Syracuse, NY
Intelligent Score: 88.5
Average Tuition: $54,270 per year
Student Enrollment: 19,214
Syracuse is a highly-rated private university located in Syracuse, New York. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 13,832 undergraduate students. Admissions are somewhat competitive as the Syracuse acceptance rate is 69%
While many party schools focus on the football scene, Syracuse University is home to a successful basketball team and epic March Madness parties.
There is a regular event they call Juice Jam and a spring party called Mayfest. Local bars also offer happy hours and beer tours that cater to Syracuse students who are old enough to buy a drink.
14. University Of Dayton
Location: Dayton, OH
Intelligent Score: 87.41
Average Tuition: $44,890 per year
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Student Enrollment: 8,322
The University of Dayton offers 80 undergraduate programs and over 100 minors, as well as 50 graduate degrees.
The students go out to the ghetto every Friday and Saturday though it doesn’t mean that it is the only thing they do during weekends. There is a club CAB that puts on alcohol-free events most Fridays and Saturdays.
Outside of class, students attend sporting events, house parties, comedy nights, and other activities led by student groups. There’s also an annual Celebration of the Arts, which gives students the opportunity to explore Dayton’s thriving cultural scene.
15. Miami University Ohio
Location: Oxford, OH
Intelligent Score: 85.27
Average Tuition: In-State: $16,224 per year; Out-of-State: $36,650 per year
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Student Enrollment: 17,024
Miami University is nationally ranked as a top public university and located in Oxford, Ohio.
Miami is known for partying and snobby students. Andrew. Most of the students at Miami are white, upper-middle class, Catholic and pretty conservative.
It also has an active fraternity scene with over 23 chapters and a big focus on varsity sports, including football and basketball. One of its most famous traditions is Green Beer Day, which has been around since 1952 and involves drinking beer that’s been dyed green.
16. Ohio University
Location: Athens, OH
Intelligent Score: 84.53
Average Tuition: In-State: $12,612 per year; Out-of-State: $34,268 per year
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Student Enrollment: 26,328
OU is famous for being a party school.The university has attracted nationwide attention over the years for its Halloween Block Party, frat culture and spring Fest Season.
Located in Athens, OH, this party school is known for its beautiful riverside setting and its annual Halloween festivities.
Football games take place at the 28,000-seat Peden Stadium, while the 13,000-seat Convocation Center hosts basketball games and live music events.
Other events include Fest Season, Homecoming, and Green Beer Day. Students can also head down to Court Street for pub crawls and other nightlife.
17. University Of Iowa
Location: Iowa City, IA
Intelligent Score: 85.82
Average Tuition: In-State: $9,830 per year; Out-of-State: $31,793 per year
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Student Enrollment: 28,035
The University of Iowa is famous for its Creative Writing program. It is the number one party school in the country, according to the most recent ranking from the Princeton Review.
University of Iowa students describe their experience at this party college as a “perfect mix of small-town and big city”.
The students can also explore the downtown pedestrian mall and attend the annual Taste of Iowa City food festival.
18. University Of Mississippi
Location: University, MI
Intelligent Score: 83.88
Average Tuition: In-State: $8,718 per year; Out-of-State: $24,990 per year
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Student Enrollment: 16,502
The University of Mississippi, known as Ole Miss, ranks highly as a party school, with its prominent Greek life and a competitive athletics scene.
University of Mississippi alumni praise the college for its “great small-town vibe” and the intuition’s “great nightlife.”
In addition to nightlife, the Ford Center for the Performing Arts hosts live music and theatre events, and Ole Miss Outdoors offers outdoor recreational activities and adventure trips.
19. University of Delaware
Location: Newark, DE
Intelligent Score: 81.46
Average Tuition: In-State: $6,365 per semester; Out-of-State: $17,080 per semester
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Student Enrollment: 21,184
University of Delaware is one of the top public universities in Newark, United States. It is ranked #581-590 in QS World University Rankings 2023.
UD is a highly rated public and large educational institution located in the Philadelphia area, with popular majors including Finance, Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Marketing.
Its pedestrian-friendly location in Newark, DE, makes it easy to have a fun night out, or catch a train to nearby cities like New York and Philadelphia.
20. University Of Colorado-Boulder
Location: Boulder, CO
Intelligent Score: 81.06
Average Tuition: In-State: $29,372 – $34,676 per year; Out-of-State: $55,190 – $58,586 per year
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Student Enrollment: 34,975
This university is known for its house parties, street parties, and outdoor music fests.
It’s hard to find a town quite like Boulder with both a top notch university, a great downtown full of fun bars and quality restaurants, and mountain activities all within walking distance of wherever you may choose to live in town.
The hill is a concentrated area where everyone throws parties and all the greek houses are so it’s usually pretty busy.
But it’s also a great school for education and the outdoors, and if you aren’t into parties there are a lot of other things to do, and lots of people who would rather hike, ski, or hangout instead of party.
You’ll find a relaxed campus life in line with the state’s liberal drug policy, although it’s worth noting that both alcohol and marijuana sales are restricted to those 21 and over.
21. Arizona State University
Location: Tempe, AZ
Intelligent Score: 80.65
Average Tuition: In-State: $10,710 per year; Out-of-State: $28,800 per year
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Student Enrollment: 66,409
It is a public university based in Tempe, Arizona, United States. Arizona State University has a massive student population, with over 66,000 students enrolled at its Tempe campus.
ASU has a reputation as a party school. Some students are hardcore party people and others are very dedicated to their studies.
Alcohol is banned on campus, and only beer and wine are allowed at tailgating parties, but that hasn’t stopped it from developing a reputation as a party school.
Other events include a homecoming parade and a lantern walk to the top of “A” Mountain.
22. Butler University
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Intelligent Score: 54.97
Average Tuition: Annual cost ; In-state tuition. $42,410 ; In-state fees. $990 ; Out-of-state tuition. $42,410 ; Out-of-state fees. $990
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Student Enrollment: 4,492
This school seems to have a reputation of being a bit of a party school (despite the fact that people take academics pretty seriously)
It is one of the finest liberal arts schools around and ideal for students who prefer a smaller campus. It is also fairly reasonable in tuition.
Butler has loads of on campus activities every weekend. You don’t need a car. It also has restaurants and cafes on campus. It has a performing arts centre on campus that the city of Indianapolis attends.
Butler is an above-average private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana and it’s alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $45,200
23. Michigan State University In East Lansing
This university’s lively Greek life provides students with numerous socialising and partying opportunities.
Students can attend on-campus concerts and sporting events, with tailgating and game-day traditions fostering a strong sense of community among MSU students.
Campus clubs organise themed parties at local bars, such as Sparty Bar Mitzvah and Sparty Gras, organised by MSU’s Hillel Center.
To ensure responsible partying and prevent uncontrolled celebrations, MSU and the city of East Lansing work together to provide students with party guidelines. These guidelines encourage students to drink responsibly and avoid excessive partying.
24. The Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University is a public institution that was founded in 1855. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 40,600 (fall 2021), its setting is the city, and the campus size is 7,958 acres.
College bars like the All-American Rathskeller have provided the Penn State community with food and beer since the 1930s.
Other local favourites include Zeno’s Pub and the Liberty Craft House. Zeno’s holds beer festivals and offers live music, while the Liberty Craft House has nearly 50 beers on tap.
25. University Of Maine
University of Maine has been ranked one of the top party schools in the nation several times by different sources.
It is the state’s premier public university and is among the most comprehensive higher education institutions in the Northeast.
In years past UMaine has made national lists for being one of the top party schools in the country.
Even after all this, the best part about UMaine is that you’re free to have any experience you want. You can do or become anything, every choice you make is your own.
Conclusion
In this article, we have successfully reviewed the top 25 party schools ranked for 2024, they offer fun options both on and off campus.
Finally, bear in mind that a good education is possible in any academic environment,
even at the ranking party schools.
It might interest you to also know that some of the schools on this list have the best academic reputation around the world.
We hope you enjoyed this article, do well to drop your comment in the comment section
