Arizona is earning some serious extra credit when it comes to college life. Scottsdale ranks No. 8 nationally among the best college towns and cities in America for 2027, while Tempe narrowly misses the Top 10 at No. 11, according to a new study from WalletHub.
And the good news doesn’t stop there. Tucson, Mesa, Chandler and Flagstaff also rank among the nation’s Top 70 college towns, giving Arizona six cities among the country’s best destinations for students pursuing higher education.
WalletHub compared 415 U.S. cities using 31 indicators of academic, social and economic opportunities, including affordability, quality of higher education, employment prospects, crime rates and entertainment options.
The study comes as prospective students and their families weigh the rising costs of college, with student living expenses potentially exceeding $39,000 annually.
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Scottsdale earns top marks for opportunity
Scottsdale’s No. 8 national ranking is impressive, but one category stands out even more: The city ranks No. 1 in America for academic and economic opportunities.
Scottsdale earned an overall score of 56.94, placing it ahead of traditional college destinations such as Orlando, Florida; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Seattle, Washington.
The city also ranked No. 47 for social environment, although affordability remains a challenge. Scottsdale placed No. 316 for wallet friendliness.
Scottsdale also claimed the No. 1 position among midsize college cities, reinforcing its standing as an attractive destination for students seeking educational opportunities and career prospects.
Tempe makes a strong showing
Home to Arizona State University’s main campus, Tempe ranked No. 11 nationally with an overall score of 56.17.
Tempe performed particularly well in the social environment category, ranking No. 35 nationwide. It also ranked No. 81 for academic and economic opportunities and No. 198 for wallet friendliness.
Among midsize cities, Tempe placed No. 3 nationally, trailing only Scottsdale and Charleston, South Carolina.
The results highlight Tempe’s appeal as a college destination where students can combine academics with entertainment, dining, sports and other activities.
Here are Arizona’s 10 best college towns for 2027
Eleven Arizona cities appeared in WalletHub’s national rankings:
| Arizona city | National rank | Overall score |
|---|---|---|
| Scottsdale | 8 | 56.94 |
| Tempe | 11 | 56.17 |
| Tucson | 50 | 51.27 |
| Mesa | 55 | 50.91 |
| Chandler | 61 | 50.53 |
| Flagstaff | 70 | 50.35 |
| Phoenix | 91 | 49.58 |
| Gilbert | 105 | 49.11 |
| Glendale | 136 | 48.45 |
| Peoria | 159 | 47.87 |
Tucson, home to the University of Arizona, secured the No. 50 position nationally and ranked No. 16 among large cities. Its strongest category was social environment, where it placed No. 33 nationwide.
Mesa followed at No. 55 nationally and No. 19 among large cities. The city earned an impressive No. 43 ranking for academic and economic opportunities.
Chandler ranked No. 61 nationally, while Flagstaff, home to Northern Arizona University, came in at No. 70. Flagstaff also placed No. 26 among small college cities.
Phoenix ranked No. 91 overall and No. 28 among large cities. Arizona’s capital earned its strongest marks for social environment, placing No. 64 nationally.
Gilbert landed at No. 105, followed by Glendale at No. 136 and Peoria at No. 159.
What makes a great college town?
According to WalletHub, selecting the right college involves more than comparing academic programs and tuition rates.
The surrounding community can play a major role in a student’s overall experience, from finding affordable housing and part-time employment to building friendships and enjoying activities outside the classroom.
“Picking the right college is crucial, but it’s also important to make sure that the surrounding college town will be a place where you’ll truly love spending your college years,” said Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst.
Lupo said communities offering affordable living, abundant activities and strong student populations can help make college more enjoyable.
He also emphasized the importance of economic opportunities that allow students to find employment during college or launch careers after graduation.
America’s five best college towns for 2027
While Arizona performed well, Austin, Texas, earned the nation’s top overall ranking.
The five highest-ranked college towns were:
- Austin, Texas
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Charlottesville, Virginia
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Atlanta, Georgia
Austin earned the top spot with a score of 61.83, benefiting from its strong employment market, entertainment options and higher education opportunities.
Ann Arbor followed with a score of 59.62, while Charlottesville placed third with 57.91.
Raleigh and Atlanta rounded out the Top 5.
Arizona earns a passing grade — and then some
With Scottsdale and Tempe ranking among the nation’s 11 best college towns, Arizona has established a strong presence in WalletHub’s latest rankings.
The results also demonstrate that the state’s college experience extends well beyond traditional university campuses, with communities offering different combinations of academic opportunities, career potential, affordability and entertainment.
For students deciding where to spend their college years, Arizona offers plenty of options — from the energy of Tempe and Tucson to the professional opportunities of Scottsdale and the mountain-town atmosphere of Flagstaff.
And with six cities ranking among the nation’s Top 70, the Grand Canyon State has plenty of reasons to celebrate its latest report card.
