Students and adults walk in front of the Old Main building, on the campus of Penn State University, in State College, Pennsylvania.

Best College Towns In Pennsylvania

Some great college towns are big cities with multiple universities, while others are small communities that are centered around a single college campus. The Keystone State of Pennsylvania has several of both of these types of college towns, as well as others that fit somewhere in between. Check out our list of the state's best college towns, spanning Pennsylvania from end to end. Whether you are looking for a party atmosphere the night before a big football game or a quaint downtown lined with cafes and bookstores, you are sure to find the right college town for you in Pennsylvania!

Erie

Located on the shores of Lake Erie in the northwestern corner of Pennsylvania, the city of Erie has a population of about 95,000, making it the fifth-largest city in the state. Instead of being dominated by a single university, Erie and its surrounding area is home to several institutions, including Gannon University, Mercyhurst University, Penn State University-Behrend, and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. The thousands of students who attend these institutions get to enjoy the many attractions Erie has to offer, including Presque Isle State Park, Waldameer Park and Water World, the U.S.S. Niagara, the Erie History Center, the Seaway Trail, and the Bicentennial Tower.

Indiana

Once known primarily as the self-styled "Christmas Tree Capital of the World," the town of Indiana (population 14,000), located about 50 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, is now closely associated with the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). Founded as a teachers' college in 1875, IUP currently hosts about 9,300 students on a downtown campus with a mix of historic and modern buildings. IUP has gained some notoriety for its off-campus party scene but also boasts strong academic and sports programs, as well as deep ties to the town. Students and campus visitors who are movie buffs can visit the Jimmy Stewart Museum in town, while those seeking a quiet retreat can explore the surrounding Amish countryside.

Millersville

Millersville is a quiet town situated along the Conestoga River (a tributary of the Susquehanna River) in southeastern Pennsylvania's Lancaster County, with a population of about 7,600. Since 1854, the town has been home to Millersville University of Pennsylvania, a state-system institution with about 7,500 students. The university campus is on the southern side of town, near both the river and downtown Millersville. In addition to the local businesses and community parks in and around Millersville, students have quick access to the city of Lancaster (5 miles away), the center of the state's "Pennsylvania Dutch" country, and can make easy day trips to downtown Philadelphia (80 miles away).

Philadelphia

dawn on the Schuylkill River at Boathouse Row. — Dawn on the Schuylkill River at Boathouse Row in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Few American cities can match the historical significance and cultural vitality of Philadelphia. Founded in 1682 and originally designed on a grid pattern between the Delaware River and Schuylkill River, Philadelphia (population 1.6 million) is now by far the largest city in the Keystone State. Philadelphia is chock full of attractions, from Independence Hall to the Museum of Art to the seemingly endless number of outdoor sculptures and murals. Philadelphia is also one of the cities with the highest concentration of college students in the U.S., with some 120,000 students attending schools in the city, such as the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, Drexel University, Thomas Jefferson University, La Salle University, and St. Joseph's University.

9 Most Beautiful Cities In PennsylvaniaFor tourists looking to make the most out of a trip to the Eastern United States, then first hand discoveries with Pennsylvania’s cities are a must for all.

Pittsburgh

Surrounded by hills and mainly situated on a triangle of land at the confluence of the Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio Rivers in southwestern Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh is one of the most picturesque cities in America. Well past its days as an industrial powerhouse with smoky skies and polluted waterways, today's Pittsburgh (population 303,000) is a very livable city with an economy focused primarily on healthcare, technology, and higher education. Three universities—the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and Carlow University—are in the Oakland section of the city, giving the neighborhood a strong college-town vibe. Pittsburgh is also home to several other higher education institutions, including Duquesne University, Point Park University, and Chatham University.

State College

The central Pennsylvania town of State College gets its name, its population of 40,000, its economy, and its youthful vibe primarily from the presence of Pennsylvania State University (known as Penn State). Penn State's University Park campus is one of the largest in the nation, with over 45,000 students and over 100,00 fans filling the football stadium on autumn Saturdays. State College is like the small-town version of a college town, with the downtown area catering to the university population but at a much larger scale. If you are looking for a college town with a wide selection of bars, restaurants, merchandise shops, and more, all decked out in the blue and white of Penn State, State College is the place to be!

West Chester

Situated about 35 miles west of downtown Philadelphia, West Chester is a thriving town of about 18,000 residents. West Chester has one of the state's best main streets, with historic buildings hosting a range of restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and more. In addition to providing quick access to Philadelphia, West Chester is also near great recreation areas like Marsh Creek State Park. The bulk of West Chester University of Pennsylvania's campus is located just south of the main commercial district, and the institution's 18,000 students help give downtown West Chester a definite college-town vibe. And, if you happen to be a fan of home shopping television, West Chester is the home of QVC's TV studio!

These Small Towns In Pennsylvania Come Alive In SummerFor those who find the charm of small towns irresistible, Pennsylvania boasts an impressive number, many of which come dramatically alive in summer.

Pennsylvania is home to more than 150 colleges and universities, putting it in the top five nationally, so the Keystone State has plenty of great college towns to choose from. Unless you happen to be in one of the sparsely populated areas in the northern and central parts of the state, you are probably never more than an hour away from a fun college town in Pennsylvania. So go exploring and add some college towns to your personal list!

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