AUSTIN, Texas — Deciding on the right college can be a tedious task for students. There's much more to it than what the institution has to offer academically. Experts insist the location of the college is just as important for a student’s academic success and personal development.

WalletHub compared more than 400 cities on 32 key indicators of academic, social and economic opportunities for students. Based on those factors, Austin, Texas, slid into the No. 1 ranking for 2023’s Best College Towns and Cities in America.

Austin beat out perennial favorite Ann Arbor, Michigan, which took the second spot. 

College Station, Texas, was placed at No. 15.

Every penny counts, especially when you’re a college student. And with inflation rising, it’s even more pertinent for students to find affordable living arrangements.

Money is hard to come by for many people these days, so “it’s in students’ interest to live in a city with a reasonable cost of living, as well as one that provides good academic and work opportunities. The ideal city should also provide a fun social environment to help students deal with the stress of college,” according to WalletHub.

WalletHub’s data set for the ranking included cost of living, the quality of higher education and the crime rate.

The purpose of WalletHub’s Best College Towns and Cities in America is to give future students a resource to help weed through their many options and choose one that best suits their lifestyle.