Top 10 Happiest Colleges in America

From academics to extracurriculars to campus life, these colleges know what it takes to make their students happy. Whether it’s the campus food, Greek life or the happiest students in general, this list of the 10 happiest colleges is based upon real college student ratings, as highlighted by The Princeton Review. High school juniors and seniors researching colleges, should check out these top-ranked universities. Compare the willingness to support student learning, beautiful campuses, academic programs offered, and the overall quality of life at each college to find the right fit.

Happiest Colleges in America

1. Auburn University

Location: Auburn, Alabama Undergraduate students: 24,931 Annual costs: $36,882 Students say that Auburn is a “welcoming place” with an “Old South small town feeling.” The Princeton Review records that sports “drive a ton of campus life and help unite the student body.”

2. Kansas State University

Location: Manhattan, Kansas Undergraduate students: 15,113 Annual costs: $26,346 (in-state) and $44,040 (out-of-state) Students tell The Princeton Review that their university feels like a family, or a small town. The body is very community-minded, and everyone is community-minded and very proud of the university.

3. Taylor University

Location: Upland, Indiana Undergraduate students: 2,503 Annual costs: $51,918 According to results from The Princeton Review rankings, students on Taylor’s campus are “kind-hearted and joy-filled.” One student says, "The traditions, chapel, and classrooms, all bring us together, but the most mundane moments are where the raw, genuine interactions shine through."

4. University of Dallas

Location: Irving, Texas Undergraduate students: 1,427 Annual costs: $68,940 Students at University of Dallas tell The Princeton Review that the campus body is “very lively and friendly” as well as “bright and highly driven.” Another student adds, “There are so many things to do that I often find myself struggling to decide how to fit them all in!”

5. Thomas Aquinas College

Location: Santa Paula, California Undergraduate students: 367 Annual costs: $42,400 Students tell The Princeton Review that student life is simple and engaging. Its location between Los Padres National Forest and the beach allow for students to explore nature outside of campus. Entertainment options are not lacking on campus as monthly dances, which are “often the highlights of everyone’s year,” are hosted. Students also enjoy slowing down and “sit around and talk in the commons, play board games, read poetry, make music and movies, sing in the choir, knit, and hang out in the coffee shop.”

6. Texas Christian University

Location: Fort Worth, Texas Students: 10,915 Annual costs: $82,310 Students have said, TCU is full of "engaged, generally extroverted individuals who are optimistic about their potential to change the world,” as stated on The Princeton Review. The school provides a warm, welcoming environment that can only be described as “southern hospitality.”

7. Washington State University

Location: Pullman, Washington Undergraduate students: 21,923 Annual costs: $36,804 (in-state) and $53,910 (out-of-state) Washington State University provides a welcoming campus where “everyone is able to find a place where they feel they belong.” Students tell The Princeton Review that the “student body supports and uplifts each other both academically and socially.”

8. Marist University

Location: Poughkeepsie, New York Undergraduate students: 5,551 Annual costs: $73,835 Students tell The Princeton Review that the campus is “incredibly friendly,” highlighting Marist’s “open-door policy,” an unspoken agreement to “hold the door open for people, no matter the weather condition.”

9. Emory University

Location: Atlanta, Georgia Undergraduate students: 7,359 Annual costs: $93,352 Emory draws students from all over the globe, making it a diverse, welcoming campus. Students claim to be “extremely curious about the world around them,” making them passionate about their coursework, extracurriculars, and all that the Atlanta area provides for entertainment. Students share with The Princeton Review that “the mood on campus is overall happy and lighthearted.”

10. Angelo State University

Location: San Angelo, Texas Undergraduate students: 9,046 Annual costs: $27,550 (in-state) and $39,850 (out-of-state) Students describe Angelo State as a “friendly and welcoming” campus, highlighting the often-used term “Ram Fam,” meaning “everyone is family at the school…because everyone is out to help you.” They also tell The Princeton Review that just hanging out is common amongst the student body, whether that’s walking around campus, finding a place outdoors to relax, or studying at the library or University Center.

Rankings in the College Admissions Process

Rankings can be a great tool in the college admissions process. They can provide a starting point for students with no prior opinion on where they want to attend. You can search for schools by best financial aid or happiest students, finding the top schools with qualities that are most important to you. However, college rankings should also be used with a grain of salt. For instance, The Princeton Review is determined largely by student votes at those particular schools, so it is a bit biased. Essentially, it’s fine to use college rankings as part of your research, but don’t rely to heavily on the results to make your final college decision. Instead, go with your gut – or your heart or mind – after touring campuses, participating in admissions interviews, and completing overnight visits. Really getting to know a school is the best way to make an educated decision. Be smart about how you’re choosing your college – and why.