{"id":4651,"date":"2017-03-21T08:30:24","date_gmt":"2017-03-21T08:30:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/?p=4651"},"modified":"2017-03-21T08:30:24","modified_gmt":"2017-03-21T08:30:24","slug":"best-cities-grad-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/blog\/best-cities-grad-school\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Cities for Grad School"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Here at Magoosh, we know grad school hopefuls have many factors to weigh when considering different programs: How prestigious is this university vs. that one? What\u2019s the cost of tuition and how much will I make after graduation? Can I afford to live near campus? What if I need a break from studying, to grab a drink with friends? Will I even <\/span>have<\/span><\/i> friends?<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

It\u2019s overwhelming. That\u2019s why we set out to identify the very best U.S. cities for grad school life\u2014cities that exist at the rare intersection where opportunity, quality academics, and robust social life meet. Our goal: to make the task of narrowing down grad school options less daunting.<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

To identify the best locations, Magoosh experts analyzed federal data for 117 cities* that are home to the top 150 American universities. Our experts examined 12 key factors\u2014specially tailored to the needs of graduate students\u2014to determine where prospective students can expect to find a well-rounded place to call home sweet grad-school home. Among the data sets we crunched and analyzed: \u201cbars, restaurants and entertainment options per capita,\u201d \u201cmedian salary for grad degree holders,\u201d \u201cresearch funding at surrounding universities,\u201d \u201caverage monthly costs,\u201d \u201cwalk score,\u201d and much more.<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

Continue reading to find the top ranking cities<\/a>, a few key facts and findings about the top 25 cities<\/a>, and a full explanation of our methodology.<\/a><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

*We use the term \u201ccities\u201d to refer to both cities and towns\u2014just for simplicity!<\/span><\/i><\/h6>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

The Rankings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Rank<\/th>\nCity<\/th>\nTotal Score (out of 100)<\/th>\nEconomic Score (out of 50)<\/th>\nSocial Life Score (out of 30)<\/th>\nAcademic Environment Score (out of 20)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
1<\/td>\nClemson, SC<\/td>\n78.22<\/td>\n42.11<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n16.12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/td>\nAnn Arbor, MI<\/td>\n77.78<\/td>\n38.91<\/td>\n21.66<\/td>\n17.22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/td>\nNew York, NY<\/td>\n77.77<\/td>\n30.55<\/td>\n30.00<\/td>\n17.22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/td>\nBoulder, CO<\/td>\n77.32<\/td>\n37.04<\/td>\n24.16<\/td>\n16.12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5<\/td>\nSeattle, WA<\/td>\n76.29<\/td>\n39.35<\/td>\n22.50<\/td>\n14.44<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6<\/td>\nHanover, NH<\/td>\n76.20<\/td>\n31.47<\/td>\n25.83<\/td>\n18.90<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7<\/td>\nPasadena, CA<\/td>\n75.92<\/td>\n35.64<\/td>\n24.16<\/td>\n16.12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8<\/td>\nBerkeley, CA<\/td>\n75.65<\/td>\n27.32<\/td>\n28.33<\/td>\n20.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9<\/td>\nProvo, UT<\/td>\n75.56<\/td>\n45.83<\/td>\n17.50<\/td>\n12.23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10<\/td>\nDurham, NC<\/td>\n75.28<\/td>\n33.33<\/td>\n25.83<\/td>\n16.12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11<\/td>\nLos Angeles, CA<\/td>\n74.70<\/td>\n33.32<\/td>\n24.16<\/td>\n17.22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12<\/td>\nHoboken, NJ<\/td>\n74.64<\/td>\n29.63<\/td>\n30.00<\/td>\n15.01<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13<\/td>\nState College, PA<\/td>\n74.52<\/td>\n31.47<\/td>\n25.83<\/td>\n17.22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
14<\/td>\nPrinceton, NJ<\/td>\n74.36<\/td>\n29.63<\/td>\n25.83<\/td>\n18.90<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15<\/td>\nNashville, TN<\/td>\n74.06<\/td>\n42.11<\/td>\n15.83<\/td>\n16.12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
16<\/td>\nOxford, OH<\/td>\n73.41<\/td>\n41.19<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n12.23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
17<\/td>\nPalo Alto, CA<\/td>\n73.15<\/td>\n31.49<\/td>\n21.66<\/td>\n20.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
18<\/td>\nChicago, IL<\/td>\n72.85<\/td>\n31.47<\/td>\n24.16<\/td>\n17.22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
18<\/td>\nMadison, WI<\/td>\n72.85<\/td>\n34.25<\/td>\n24.16<\/td>\n14.44<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
20<\/td>\nHoughton, MI<\/td>\n72.77<\/td>\n33.32<\/td>\n30.00<\/td>\n9.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
21<\/td>\nIowa City, IA<\/td>\n72.68<\/td>\n35.18<\/td>\n24.16<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
22<\/td>\nColumbia, MO<\/td>\n72.67<\/td>\n42.11<\/td>\n20.00<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
23<\/td>\nVillanova, PA<\/td>\n72.49<\/td>\n37.49<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n15.01<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
24<\/td>\nIthaca, NY<\/td>\n72.40<\/td>\n24.07<\/td>\n28.33<\/td>\n20.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
25<\/td>\nProvidence, RI<\/td>\n72.21<\/td>\n30.54<\/td>\n28.33<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
26<\/td>\nPhiladelphia, PA<\/td>\n71.92<\/td>\n33.32<\/td>\n24.16<\/td>\n14.44<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
27<\/td>\nNew Haven, CT<\/td>\n71.92<\/td>\n30.54<\/td>\n24.16<\/td>\n17.22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
28<\/td>\nLincoln, NE<\/td>\n71.74<\/td>\n41.19<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
29<\/td>\nCharlottesville, VA<\/td>\n71.29<\/td>\n35.18<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n16.12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
30<\/td>\nNewark, DE<\/td>\n70.82<\/td>\n37.49<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
31<\/td>\nCambridge, MA<\/td>\n70.55<\/td>\n26.39<\/td>\n24.16<\/td>\n20.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
32<\/td>\nAmherst, MA<\/td>\n70.17<\/td>\n32.39<\/td>\n21.66<\/td>\n16.12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
33<\/td>\nCincinnati, OH<\/td>\n70.08<\/td>\n41.19<\/td>\n18.33<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
34<\/td>\nSan Diego, CA<\/td>\n70.07<\/td>\n35.64<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n14.44<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
35<\/td>\nNew Orleans, LA<\/td>\n69.89<\/td>\n32.39<\/td>\n24.16<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
36<\/td>\nAtlanta, GA<\/td>\n69.80<\/td>\n34.25<\/td>\n18.33<\/td>\n17.22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
37<\/td>\nPullman, WA<\/td>\n69.72<\/td>\n38.88<\/td>\n17.50<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
38<\/td>\nDavis, CA<\/td>\n69.45<\/td>\n37.50<\/td>\n15.83<\/td>\n16.12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
39<\/td>\nFayetteville, AR<\/td>\n69.44<\/td>\n43.05<\/td>\n15.83<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
40<\/td>\nMinneapolis, MN<\/td>\n69.33<\/td>\n32.39<\/td>\n22.50<\/td>\n14.44<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
41<\/td>\nDenver, CO<\/td>\n69.26<\/td>\n37.04<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n12.23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
42<\/td>\nWest Lafayette, IN<\/td>\n69.25<\/td>\n31.47<\/td>\n21.66<\/td>\n16.12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
43<\/td>\nSan Francisco, CA<\/td>\n68.53<\/td>\n29.63<\/td>\n26.67<\/td>\n12.23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
44<\/td>\nCleveland, OH<\/td>\n68.23<\/td>\n39.34<\/td>\n18.33<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
45<\/td>\nChapel Hill, NC<\/td>\n68.23<\/td>\n35.18<\/td>\n15.83<\/td>\n17.22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
45<\/td>\nDurham, NH<\/td>\n68.23<\/td>\n35.18<\/td>\n15.83<\/td>\n17.22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
45<\/td>\nStorrs, CT<\/td>\n68.23<\/td>\n36.56<\/td>\n18.33<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
48<\/td>\nLawrence, KS<\/td>\n68.03<\/td>\n33.31<\/td>\n24.16<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
49<\/td>\nColumbus, OH<\/td>\n67.75<\/td>\n33.32<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n14.44<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
50<\/td>\nAthens, GA<\/td>\n67.57<\/td>\n38.40<\/td>\n15.83<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
50<\/td>\nAustin, TX<\/td>\n67.57<\/td>\n34.24<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
52<\/td>\nIrvine, CA<\/td>\n67.41<\/td>\n29.63<\/td>\n21.66<\/td>\n16.12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
53<\/td>\nAmes, IA<\/td>\n67.40<\/td>\n35.18<\/td>\n21.66<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
54<\/td>\nWashington, DC<\/td>\n67.32<\/td>\n28.70<\/td>\n22.5<\/td>\n16.12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
55<\/td>\nCoral Gables, FL<\/td>\n67.12<\/td>\n33.79<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
56<\/td>\nEast Lansing, MI<\/td>\n66.94<\/td>\n33.32<\/td>\n17.50<\/td>\n16.12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
57<\/td>\nSouth Bend, IN<\/td>\n66.84<\/td>\n35.17<\/td>\n18.33<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
58<\/td>\nRichardson, TX<\/td>\n66.66<\/td>\n40.27<\/td>\n15.83<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
59<\/td>\nSt. Louis, MO<\/td>\n66.56<\/td>\n33.79<\/td>\n18.33<\/td>\n14.44<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
60<\/td>\nStony Brook, NY<\/td>\n66.49<\/td>\n28.70<\/td>\n21.67<\/td>\n16.12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
61<\/td>\nHempstead, NY<\/td>\n66.48<\/td>\n28.70<\/td>\n28.33<\/td>\n9.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
62<\/td>\nCollege Station, TX<\/td>\n66.37<\/td>\n36.10<\/td>\n15.83<\/td>\n14.44<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
63<\/td>\nBaltimore, MD<\/td>\n66.10<\/td>\n33.32<\/td>\n18.34<\/td>\n14.44<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
64<\/td>\nMalibu, CA<\/td>\n66.02<\/td>\n29.63<\/td>\n24.16<\/td>\n12.23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
65<\/td>\nFort Collins, CO<\/td>\n65.74<\/td>\n35.18<\/td>\n20.00<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
66<\/td>\nLexington, KY<\/td>\n65.72<\/td>\n39.33<\/td>\n15.83<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
67<\/td>\nDallas, TX<\/td>\n65.55<\/td>\n40.27<\/td>\n15.83<\/td>\n9.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
68<\/td>\nWilliamsburg, VA<\/td>\n65.36<\/td>\n27.30<\/td>\n25.83<\/td>\n12.23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
69<\/td>\nChampaign, IL<\/td>\n64.80<\/td>\n31.47<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
70<\/td>\nNorman, OK<\/td>\n64.79<\/td>\n38.40<\/td>\n15.83<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
71<\/td>\nPittsburgh, PA<\/td>\n64.52<\/td>\n27.31<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n17.22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
72<\/td>\nAuburn, AL<\/td>\n64.35<\/td>\n39.34<\/td>\n11.67<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
73<\/td>\nHouston, TX<\/td>\n64.07<\/td>\n36.56<\/td>\n14.17<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
74<\/td>\nBoston, MA<\/td>\n63.89<\/td>\n26.39<\/td>\n24.16<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
75<\/td>\nWorcester, MA<\/td>\n63.69<\/td>\n34.25<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n9.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
76<\/td>\nDayton, OH<\/td>\n63.14<\/td>\n41.19<\/td>\n14.17<\/td>\n7.78<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
77<\/td>\nSanta Barbara, CA<\/td>\n62.97<\/td>\n25.47<\/td>\n24.16<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
78<\/td>\nSalt Lake City, UT<\/td>\n62.69<\/td>\n37.96<\/td>\n14.17<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
79<\/td>\nBloomington, IN<\/td>\n62.49<\/td>\n29.16<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
80<\/td>\nRaleigh, NC<\/td>\n62.49<\/td>\n33.32<\/td>\n15.83<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
81<\/td>\nEugene, OR<\/td>\n62.48<\/td>\n29.15<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
82<\/td>\nTulsa, OK<\/td>\n62.03<\/td>\n38.41<\/td>\n14.17<\/td>\n9.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
83<\/td>\nFairfax, VA<\/td>\n61.85<\/td>\n29.63<\/td>\n21.66<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
84<\/td>\nSt. Paul, MN<\/td>\n61.83<\/td>\n32.39<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n9.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
85<\/td>\nTallahassee, FL<\/td>\n61.75<\/td>\n34.24<\/td>\n14.17<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
86<\/td>\nSouth Orange, NJ<\/td>\n61.67<\/td>\n27.78<\/td>\n21.66<\/td>\n12.23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
87<\/td>\nMedford, MA<\/td>\n61.39<\/td>\n26.39<\/td>\n21.66<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
88<\/td>\nTuscaloosa, AL<\/td>\n61.38<\/td>\n37.48<\/td>\n11.67<\/td>\n12.23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
89<\/td>\nSanta Cruz, CA<\/td>\n61.31<\/td>\n25.47<\/td>\n22.50<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
90<\/td>\nRiverside, CA<\/td>\n61.11<\/td>\n37.50<\/td>\n15.83<\/td>\n7.78<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
91<\/td>\nBinghamton, NY<\/td>\n61.10<\/td>\n26.38<\/td>\n24.16<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
92<\/td>\nAlbany, NY<\/td>\n61.09<\/td>\n30.54<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
93<\/td>\nWaco, TX<\/td>\n60.92<\/td>\n39.8<\/td>\n11.67<\/td>\n9.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
94<\/td>\nBlacksburg, VA<\/td>\n60.92<\/td>\n27.30<\/td>\n17.50<\/td>\n16.12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
95<\/td>\nWinston-Salem, NC<\/td>\n60.84<\/td>\n33.33<\/td>\n14.17<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
96<\/td>\nOxford, MS<\/td>\n60.64<\/td>\n34.25<\/td>\n15.83<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
97<\/td>\nGainesville, FL<\/td>\n60.34<\/td>\n30.07<\/td>\n15.83<\/td>\n14.44<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
98<\/td>\nWaltham, MA<\/td>\n60.28<\/td>\n26.39<\/td>\n21.66<\/td>\n12.23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
99<\/td>\nSyracuse, NY<\/td>\n59.99<\/td>\n30.55<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n9.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
100<\/td>\nBurlington, VT<\/td>\n59.72<\/td>\n22.22<\/td>\n24.16<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
101<\/td>\nTempe, AZ<\/td>\n59.71<\/td>\n33.32<\/td>\n15.83<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
102<\/td>\nBethlehem, PA<\/td>\n59.06<\/td>\n29.62<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n9.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
103<\/td>\nBaton Rouge, LA<\/td>\n58.98<\/td>\n34.25<\/td>\n14.17<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
104<\/td>\nRochester, NY<\/td>\n58.78<\/td>\n28.23<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
105<\/td>\nAthens, OH<\/td>\n58.41<\/td>\n31.46<\/td>\n17.50<\/td>\n9.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
106<\/td>\nMilwaukee, WI<\/td>\n58.32<\/td>\n30.54<\/td>\n18.33<\/td>\n9.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
107<\/td>\nCorvallis, OR<\/td>\n57.85<\/td>\n27.30<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
108<\/td>\nNewark, NJ<\/td>\n57.40<\/td>\n25.46<\/td>\n24.16<\/td>\n7.78<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
109<\/td>\nNewton, MA<\/td>\n57.23<\/td>\n26.39<\/td>\n15.83<\/td>\n15.01<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
110<\/td>\nTucson, AZ<\/td>\n57.12<\/td>\n35.17<\/td>\n14.17<\/td>\n7.78<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
111<\/td>\nTroy, NY<\/td>\n56.92<\/td>\n26.37<\/td>\n19.99<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
112<\/td>\nKnoxville, TN<\/td>\n56.66<\/td>\n36.09<\/td>\n10.01<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
113<\/td>\nNew Brunswick, NJ<\/td>\n56.02<\/td>\n25.46<\/td>\n20.00<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
114<\/td>\nManhattan, KS<\/td>\n55.55<\/td>\n29.16<\/td>\n15.83<\/td>\n10.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
115<\/td>\nFort Worth, TX<\/td>\n55.36<\/td>\n34.24<\/td>\n11.67<\/td>\n9.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
116<\/td>\nColumbia, SC<\/td>\n53.42<\/td>\n30.07<\/td>\n10.01<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
117<\/td>\nCollege Park, MD<\/td>\n52.96<\/td>\n21.29<\/td>\n18.33<\/td>\n13.34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 
\nWinners, download your “Best City for Grad School” badge here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Some Key Facts and Findings about the Top 25 Cities<\/h2>\n
Please note: The select facts and findings listed below represent only a part of the metrics that contributed to each city\u2019s final score. For a full list of metrics considered, please see the Methodology section below.<\/span><\/i><\/h6>\n

At a glance:<\/h3>\n
\n