It's easy to become overwhelmed if you have several acceptances from quality schools and aren’t sure how to choose.
One factor that can help guide your enrollment decision is location. Are you eager for a big-city experience, or would you prefer a more intimate, college-focused town? Explore the pros and cons of big city schools vs. college town campuses.
Colleges in Small Towns: A Connected Community
For Asia T., who attended Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio, the decision to go to a school in a college town came as a surprise. She planned to go to an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) in a larger city. However, after a chance visit to Walsh’s campus to stay with a friend, Asia says the university “felt like home.”
A school in a bigger city, Asia notes, would probably have bigger distractions. “I feel like I wouldn’t have been as focused,” Terry explains. She also credits the small town for the “stronger personal relationships and a deeper sense of community” she developed while at school.
Colleges in Big Cities: The Chance to Explore New Environments
Darnetta W., who selected Cleveland State University in downtown Cleveland, says “attending school in a big city gives me the chance to explore and try new things,” like a wide range of ethnic foods, theater, museums, sporting events, and concerts. She considers this to be a luxury students in smaller towns don’t have and says she’s broadening her college experience by taking full advantage of her time in a big city.
Colleges in Small Towns: Potentially Better Convenience and Accessibility
The logistics of getting around campus, parking, and heading home are something to think about too. Andrew G. says that fast-paced city living can actually make it harder to get around because it’s “troublesome to rely on public transit to get to class on time—especially if there are delays, slowdowns from construction, or buildings that aren’t as accessible to bus stops.” That being said, if you’re going to college away from home, a big-city campus may make it easier to visit your family, as big cities are generally more accessible to major airports and train stations.
Colleges in Big Cities: The Chance to Broaden Your Perspective
One of the most valuable aspects of attending school in a large city that students cite is a diverse student body. Andrew G., a University of Louisville grad, says diversity was one of the best benefits of attending school in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky. “In my anthropology and English courses, we had great conversations because there were varied perspectives on our subjects,” Andrew explains. “We had many refugee and immigrant students who contributed their experiences to our history and humanities courses as well.” Of course, this doesn’t mean that college towns can’t offer diversity, but diversity and big-city living do tend to go hand in hand.
Colleges in Small Towns: The Money Factor
The cost of college can change depending on your location. Tara S. attended Indiana University Southeast (IU Southeast) in New Albany, Indiana, partly for financial reasons. “I chose IU Southeast because it was close to home and my family,” she explains. She also lived at home during college, which “saved a heck of a lot of money.”
Even if you can’t live at home, a smaller town can mean spending less. Compared to big cities, there’s often a smaller price tag for everything from housing to restaurants to groceries. In Tara’s case, the cost of living in the township of New Albany compared with its closest big city, Chicago, is nearly 25% cheaper when factoring in the comparative costs of rent, groceries, gas, and other everyday expenses. If you’re feeling anxious about the expense of college, think about the ways attending school in a smaller town can help keep costs down.
Both city and smaller-town colleges offer their share of benefits and drawbacks. What feels perfect for one student may be less than ideal for another. Think carefully and visit a few options to figure out what you really want—and don’t want—out of your school’s location.
Take the Quiz: What Type of College is the Best Fit for Me and, if you can, visit a few schools in different locations to find out what may be the best fit for you.
