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Best state to be a student in the USA 2022

Every year millions of young people across the United States of America pin their hopes and dreams on going to college to further their education. With so many colleges to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

College is so much more than getting a degree, it’s about the excitement of moving out and living independently, the anticipation of the first day in the classroom, a new area to explore, and of course the lifelong friends made. map of the best states to be a student in the USA To help students find the best place to study, we’ve compared the cost of:

  • Tuition fees
  • Rent
  • Board
  • Percentage of the population made up of 19-25-year-olds
  • Graduate salary
  • Crime rates
  • Happiness index scores
  • Number of things to do
  • LGBT friendliness
  • Mental health
  • Number of top universities

This year we expanded our criteria to improve our rankings and make them as useful as possible for students.


State Overall Rank Number of high ranking colleges Tuition Room Board 19-25 (% of population) Happiness Crime Grad salary Things to do LGBT Mental health Final Score
California 1 15 $8,192 $8,426 $6,419 9.60% 63.14 442 $68,218 27872 39.25 32 7.54
New York 2 14 $8,467 $10,180 $5,228 9.10% 57.35 363.8 $67,024 16303 39 29.6 7.04
Minnesota 3 1 $11,748 $5,579 $4,284 9.40% 67.26 277.5 $63,492 4049 33.5 24.6 6.87
Utah 4 1 $6,700 $3,671 $4,248 10.70% 67.84 260.7 $60,170 3075 15.25 31.1 6.8
Florida 5 10 $4,463 $6,330 $4,444 7.40% 51.01 383.6 $60,243 25643 7.75 31.6 6.28
Wisconsin 6 3 $8,764 $5,497 $3,523 6.90% 58.87 323.4 $60,528 5654 18 22.9 6.2
Texas 7 12 $8,598 $5,360 $4,752 9.60% 52.56 446.5 $62,771 13498 0.5 34.2 6.07
Virginia 8 5 $13,655 $6,390 $5,028 8.90% 57.35 208.7 $64,240 6040 26 27.9 6.04
Colorado 9 6 $9,144 $6,541 $6,499 9.70% 55.38 423.1 $65,313 7154 39.5 32 5.97
Massachusetts 10 10 $13,729 $8,587 $5,302 8.60% 56.85 308.8 $67,531 6693 33.5 31.4 5.97
Washington 11 2 $7,168 $6,725 $5,953 8.70% 56.44 293.7 $66,627 6828 36.75 33.5 5.92
Maryland 12 5 $9,714 $7,305 $5,485 8.50% 61.78 399.9 $65,386 3505 29.75 28.4 5.9
Iowa 13 2 $9,373 $5,842 $4,593 9.10% 61.07 303.5 $60,103 2358 17 27.2 5.81
North Dakota 14 0 $8,628 $3,930 $4,892 10.40% 65.62 329 $60,490 644 11.75 33.3 5.81
Illinois 15 7 $14,455 $6,143 $5,208 9.50% 52.47 425.9 $63,869 7491 35 31.3 5.8
North Carolina 16 7 $7,228 $5,816 $4,525 9.70% 53.69 419.3 $61,025 8497 5.75 35 5.67
Idaho 17 1 $7,518 $4,268 $4,552 10.20% 63.09 242.6 $57,479 1656 3.75 33 5.66
Nevada 18 1 $6,023 $6,358 $5,606 8.80% 51.8 460.3 $61,538 3798 38 30 5.52
New Jersey 19 5 $14,360 $9,052 $4,960 7.20% 58.1 195.4 $65,561 4308 37 28.6 5.49
Hawaii 20 1 $10,109 $5,785 $5,960 7.60% 68.27 254.2 $61,724 6016 31 32.5 5.4
Connecticut 21 2 $13,886 $7,491 $6,186 8.50% 58.24 181.6 $64,895 2357 37.5 28.7 5.37
Oregon 22 3 $10,813 $7,573 $5,196 9.20% 48.05 291.9 $63,347 5398 36.5 34.6 5.3
Ohio 23 6 $9,902 $6,869 $5,617 9.40% 48.19 308.8 $60,245 5903 9.75 26.4 5.29
Maine 24 0 $10,103 $5,323 $5,032 6.60% 49.81 108.6 $59,693 3361 37 28.6 5.26
Nebraska 25 3 $8,582 $5,982 $4,957 10.50% 59.11 334.1 $59,385 1227 4 33.5 5.24
Georgia 26 5 $7,457 $6,745 $4,352 9.10% 55.15 400.1 $61,580 5879 -0.5 34.3 5.21
New Mexico 27 2 $7,152 $4,887 $4,154 9.50% 43.35 778.3 $60,280 2716 28 31.9 5.19
Indiana 28 4 $9,268 $5,634 $5,083 9.30% 50.2 357.7 $59,293 3432 6.5 28.6 5.15
South Dakota 29 1 $8,978 $4,092 $4,228 7.90% 60.8 501.4 $58,399 1151 -4.5 24.7 5.11
Michigan 30 6 $13,315 $5,341 $5,430 9.20% 49.52 478 $60,827 6704 19 29.8 5.11
Wyoming 31 1 $4,747 $4,493 $5,661 8.70% 48.9 234.2 $59,171 1470 1.75 29.5 5.03
Kansas 32 2 $9,088 $5,260 $4,753 8.90% 52.3 425 $58,581 1606 7.75 29.2 4.94
New Hampshire 33 1 $16,679 $7,480 $4,575 7.10% 52.37 146.4 $60,448 2115 27.5 23.5 4.9
Pennsylvania 34 7 $15,565 $7,127 $4,711 8.90% 50.54 389.5 $62,080 7948 15.5 33.8 4.87
Delaware 35 1 $11,091 $7,906 $5,361 9.00% 51.67 431.9 $61,135 813 25.25 26.6 4.83
Missouri 36 4 $8,992 $5,759 $3,983 8.90% 42.76 542.7 $61,526 4167 0.75 33.6 4.72
Arizona 37 3 $11,072 $7,610 $5,334 10.10% 52.92 484.8 $62,936 5971 4.25 33 4.71
Montana 38 2 $6,967 $4,457 $5,308 7.40% 51.08 469.8 $57,369 2662 4 28.2 4.49
Rhode Island 39 2 $13,105 $7,858 $4,629 7.60% 50.44 230.8 $62,160 1321 32.5 37.3 4.47
South Carolina 40 2 $12,497 $6,399 $3,894 8.60% 48.26 530.7 $59,272 4776 -0.5 30.2 4.37
Oklahoma 41 1 $8,009 $4,816 $4,134 9.60% 38.89 458.6 $57,868 1884 -2 37.7 4.16
Alabama 42 3 $10,323 $5,703 $4,471 8.70% 39.35 453.6 $59,221 2405 -4 34.1 3.97
Kentucky 43 2 $10,888 $6,156 $4,755 8.20% 39.42 259.1 $58,100 2576 10.25 36.2 3.94
Louisiana 44 2 $9,571 $5,865 $4,062 8.90% 37.15 639.4 $58,801 3104 -2.5 32.5 3.94
Tennessee 45 3 $10,164 $5,365 $4,831 8.80% 46.13 672.7 $59,829 5230 -6 34.6 3.92
Vermont 46 0 $17,083 $7,980 $4,602 6.50% 48.18 173.4 $59,169 1641 36 33.6 3.84
Mississippi 47 1 $8,604 $6,250 $4,226 8.00% 41.63 291.2 $56,044 1364 -3.5 35.9 3.7
Alaska 48 1 $8,297 $5,843 $5,479 9.00% 38.21 837.8 $62,950 2793 17.75 38.5 3.69
West Virginia 49 0 $8,195 $5,786 $5,053 7.60% 33.43 355.9 $56,958 1347 4 31.7 3.56
Arkansas 50 1 $8,689 $5,486 $4,049 9.40% 36.61 671.9 $57,532 1760 -5.5 37.8 3.5

The 10 best states to be a student in 2022

1. California

sunset over California skyscrapers with palm trees California has been crowned the best state to be a student for 2022. It has the highest number of high-ranking unis and offers the best graduate salary in all the states.

You won't be short of activities to take on as there are more things to do in this state than any of the others. It's very LGBT-friendly and has a high percentage of young people so making friends should be easy. And if that wasn't enough you also get below-average tuition costs.

  • Avg cost of tuition: $8,192
  • % of the population 19-25 years old: 9.6%
  • Top colleges in the state: 15

2. New York

Sky scrappers in New York City Taking second place is the state of New York. The home to 14 top-ranking universities, this state offers great graduate salaries and is very LGBT friendly. Whether you’re a theater lover, food connoisseur, bookworm, or history buff, New York is an amazing place to study. However, you will pay a lot to live in this states ad it has the most expensive rooms on the list.

  • Avg cost of tuition: $8,467
  • % of the population 19-25 years old: 9.1%
  • Top colleges in the state: 14

3. Minnesota

city landscape In third place, is the northern state of Minnesota. It is one of the happiest states and ranks very well for mental health and LGBT friendliness. Add in the dramatic scenery and outdoor adventures on offer makes Minnesota a great college destination. For those concerned about cost, room and board prices are below average and the state has low crime levels making it an ideal place for students to call home.

  • Avg cost of tuition: $11,748
  • % of the population 19-25 years old: 9.4
  • Top colleges in the state: 1

4. Utah

a road going between two mountainsIf you want to be surrounded by other young people Utah could be for you as it has the highest population of 19-25-year-olds. It is also one of the more affordable places to study with the cheapest rooms of all states and tuition and board costing way below average so it is great if you are sticking to a budget. When you're not studying you can make the most of the different regions offering something for everyone from hiking to skiing. The famous Salt Lake City boasts stunning scenery and world class art too.

  • Avg cost of tuition: $6,700
  • % of the population 19-25 years old:10.7%
  • Top colleges in the state: 1

5. Florida

boats on the water with palm trees with skyscrapers in the distanceTaking the last spot in the top 5 best states is Florida. It may come as a surprise that Florida offers the cheapest tuition of all the states and below-average prices for room and board so it could be a good option if you’re looking to save money.

You won’t be short of activities to keep you busy in Florida as it’s one of the top-ranking states for things to do, you could pop down to Miami and experience its diverse culture. However, the state doesn’t shine due to its below-average score for LGBT friendliness and mental health.

  • Avg cost of tuition: $4,463
  • % of the population 19-25 years old: 7.4%
  • Top colleges in the state: 10

6. Wisconsin

trees in a field on a foggy morning In sixth place is Wisconsin. This midwestern state is another great place for those who are conscious of their budget as it has the cheapest board and below average tuition and room costs. It was ranked as the state with the best mental health and has high levels of happiness and low levels of crime.

  • Avg cost of tuition: $8,764
  • % of the population 19-25 years old: 6.9%
  • Top colleges in the state: 3

7. Texas

clouds over a city in Texas Texas takes seventh place in the best states to be a student. It is home to 12 top colleges and famous institutions like the University of Texas at Austin, and Rice University and it has below-average costs for tuition, rent, and board.

If you are keen to make new friends, its high percentage of 19-25-year-olds should hopefully make it easy. However, it doesn’t rank well for mental health or LGBT friendliness so consider this before choosing Texas as a destination.

  • Avg cost of tuition: $8,598
  • % of the population 19-25 years old: 9.6%
  • Top colleges in the state: 12

8. Virginia

A view of sunrise over the mountains In eighth place in the ranking is the state of Virginia. The state offers above-average levels of happiness and mental health and high levels of LGBT friendliness which can make it very appealing. There are low levels of crime and the graduate salaries are pretty good too.

  • Avg cost of tuition: $13,655
  • % of the population 19-25 years old: 8.9%
  • Top colleges in the state: 5

9. Colorado

A view of desert and snow covered moutains Taking the penultimate spot in the top 10 is Colorado. The state is the most LGBT-friendly of them all so is great for inclusivity, it also has a high number of young people and good graduate starting salaries.

The state doesn't rank well for things to do, but if you like to get outdoors and explore you'll find plenty to keep you busy. You will pay the most for your board out of all the states while at college but tuition costs are below average and graduate salaries are pretty high.

  • Avg cost of tuition: $9,144
  • % of the population 19-25 years old: 9.7%
  • Top colleges in the state: 6

10. Massachusetts

A city scape with very tall sky scrappers in sunset light If you’re set on earning the top bucks straight after graduation, Massachusetts could be the state for you as it offers some of the top grad salaries. In order to get those good salaries you do have to pay more than average for tuition, room, and board. However, the state is pretty LGBT friendly, has low crime rates, ands generally a happy place to live.

  • Avg cost of tuition: $13,729
  • % of the population 19-25 years old: 8.6%
  • Top colleges in the state: 10

California ranked the best state for college students

California scored pretty consistently across most of the categories and came top in three of them; the number of high-ranking unis, things to do, and graduate salary. It is a very LGBT-friendly state and has high levels of happiness too.

Florida ranked the best state for inexpensive tuition

Florida has the lowest average tuition cost of all the US states for the second year in a row, so any money saved can be spent in their world-famous amusement parks.

Hawaii ranked the best state for happiness

It’s no surprise Hawaii ranked as the happiest state once again - stunning beaches, breathtaking waterfalls, and beautiful weather make it the perfect place to find happiness while studying.

California ranked the best state for top universities

California has some of the best universities in the US. It's home to prestigious colleges like Stanford, California Institute of Technology, and the University of California, Berkeley.

Maine ranked the best for low crime rates

For students who want to avoid criminal activity, Maine has the lowest number of violent crimes in all the states. It’s a safe place to study for your degree.

The 10 best states to be a student in 2021

1. Utah

  • Avg cost of tuition: $6,731
  • % of the population 19-25 years old: 10.9%
  • Top colleges in the state: 1

2. California

  • Avg cost of tuition: $8,118
  • % of the population 19-25 years old: 9.2%
  • Top colleges in the state: 15

3. Texas

  • Avg cost of tuition: $8,678
  • % of the population 19-25 years old: 9.4%
  • Top colleges in the state: 12

4. Florida

  • Avg cost of tuition: $4,443
  • % of the population 19-25 years old: 8.0%
  • Top colleges in the state: 10

5. New York

  • Avg cost of tuition: $8,184
  • % of the population 19-25 years old: 8.6%
  • Top colleges in the state: 13

6. North Dakota

  • Avg cost of tuition: $8,091
  • % of the population 19-25 years old: 10.2%
  • Top colleges in the state: 0

7. North Carolina

  • Avg cost of tuition: $7,174
  • % of the population 19-25 years old: 8.6%
  • Top colleges in the state: 7

8. Wisconsin

  • Avg cost of tuition: $8,697
  • % of the population 19-25 years old: 8.5%
  • Top colleges in the state: 3

9. Idaho

  • Avg cost of tuition: $7,586
  • % of the population 19-25 years old: 8.5%
  • Top colleges in the state: 1

10. Wyoming

  • Avg cost of tuition: $4,596
  • % of the population 19-25 years old: 8.3%
  • Top colleges in the state: 0

Full 2021 data

Full 2021 data for the best state to be a student in the USA

2022 Sources and methodology

To calculate the index, we first normalized the data categories individually from 0 to 1 and then summed up the results. All data correct as of 11/03/22