America’s Best and Top 10 Party Colleges and Universities

A lively outdoor scene at Potbelly's in Tallahassee, Florida, with a crowd of students gathered outside, palm trees in the background, under a clear blue sky.
Photo by Potbelly’s, Tallahassee, Florida

Get ready to crank up the volume on your college dreams, because America’s top party schools are where the real magic happens—epic beach ragers under California sun at UCSB, wild Mardi Gras vibes spilling from Tulane’s campus into New Orleans streets, insane football tailgates that turn entire towns into festivals at schools like FSU and Alabama, and non-stop Greek life blowouts that make every weekend legendary! These campuses prove you can crush exams by day and dance till dawn by night, blending killer academics with unbeatable energy, sunny shores, Big Easy beads, snowy bar crawls, and that unbreakable school spirit that creates lifelong stories (and maybe a few epic hangovers). Whether you’re floating on waves, tossing beads, or cheering in the stands, the best party colleges in the USA are calling—grab your crew, party smart, and make those four years absolutely unforgettable!

Exterior view of Florida State University featuring a fountain and palm trees in the courtyard.
Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. Photo by RAUL RODRIGUEZ

Florida State University
Florida State University (FSU) cranks the energy to max with legendary Seminole football tailgates that kick off at dawn, a massive Greek scene throwing epic themed parties, and Tallahassee’s nonstop nightlife turning game days into all-out celebrations—head to the iconic Potbelly’s for live music, famous happy hours, and pure Nole chaos—Go Noles!
Address: 282 Champions Way, Tallahassee, FL 32306
Website: https://www.fsu.edu/

University of California, Santa Barbara. Photo by Ryosuke Yagi

University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is the undisputed king of party schools, thanks to its stunning beachfront location where sunset bonfires turn into massive Isla Vista block parties, endless sunshine fuels wild floatopias and house ragers, and that chill California vibe makes every weekend feel like an endless summer festival—plus, the classic spot to kick off the night is Baja Sharkeez for epic dancing and drinks!
Address: Santa Barbara, CA 93106
Website: https://www.ucsb.edu/

Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. Photo by RAUL RODRIGUEZ

Tulane University
Tulane University brings pure New Orleans magic with Mardi Gras energy all year long—think parade floats, bead-throwing bashes, Bourbon Street crawls, and upscale frat parties blending rigorous academics with lively, unforgettable nights in the Big Easy, starting at the legendary The Boot for cheap drinks and classic college dive vibes!
Address: 6823 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118
Website: https://tulane.edu/

Camp Randall, the football stadium at the University of Wisconsin. Photo by Lectrician2

University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Madison owns the Big Ten party crown with insane tailgating marathons at Camp Randall, epic State Street Halloween blowouts drawing massive crowds in costumes, and a beer-soaked culture that turns chilly winters into one giant red-hot celebration—don’t miss the iconic Kollege Klub (KK) for Badger spirit and non-stop fun!
Address: Madison, WI 53715
Website: https://www.wisc.edu/

University of Alabama
University of Alabama rolls with unstoppable Tide spirit—picture massive SEC football game days on the Quad, Greek row extravaganzas with themed sorority and frat parties, and Tuscaloosa traditions that make every Saturday a crimson-fueled frenzy, fueled by drinks at the legendary Houndstooth sports bar!
Address: Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
Website: https://www.ua.edu/

Syracuse University
Syracuse University keeps the hype alive even in the snow with booming Greek life parties, Carrier Dome game-day madness, and bar-hopping scenes that prove cold weather just adds to the electric, unbreakable Orange spirit—grab a spot at classic Faegan’s on Marshall Street for the ultimate student hangout!
Address: Syracuse, NY 13244
Website: https://www.syracuse.edu/

Michigan State University
Michigan State University goes all-in on Spartan tailgates with massive pre-game parties across campus lots, rowdy Greek events, and East Lansing nightlife that turns basketball and football seasons into non-stop green-and-white ragers—hit up the famous Crunchy’s for burgers, buckets of beer, and epic game watches!
Address: East Lansing, MI 48824
Website: https://msu.edu/

University of Southern California
University of Southern California (USC) lives the Hollywood dream with huge Trojan football tailgates, glamorous Greek life blowouts, and easy access to LA’s star-studded clubs—Fight On for those epic, celebrity-level nights starting at the iconic 901 Bar & Grill (The 9-0)!
Address: University Park Campus, Los Angeles, CA 90089
Website: https://www.usc.edu/

University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina screams Gamecock pride on game days with roaring Williams-Brice Stadium tailgates, vibrant Columbia bar scenes, and campus traditions that transform every weekend into a garnet-and-black party explosion—dive into Five Points at classic Group Therapy for beer pong and Southern vibes!
Address: Columbia, SC 29208
Website: https://sc.edu/

Ohio University
Ohio University throws the wildest fests in the country with epic Palmer Fest, High Fest, and the legendary Athens Halloween Block Party drawing massive costumed crowds, house parties on every street during fest season, and Uptown bar crawls that make this brick-lined campus the ultimate Bobcat blowout—kick off the chaos at the iconic The CI for cheap drinks, dancing, and non-stop green energy—Go Bobcats!
Address: Athens, OH 45701
Website: https://www.ohio.edu/