Which U.S. College Has the Happiest Students?

From Town & Country

When it comes to choosing a college, prospective students often write out a laundry list of criteria. For one high school senior, an exceptional business school might top this list of priorities. For another, a winning athletics program could be what places one university above another.

Of course those things are significant, but is there anything more important than student happiness in a college experience?

The Princeton Review released its annual lists of college rankings last week, with Rice University named the school with the happiest students.

The methodology for the ranking was relatively straightforward. The Princeton Review simply asked students at universities across the country, "Overall, how happy are you?" Who better to know their emotions than the students themselves? The list was derived from their answers, with Rice taking home the top honors.

The Houston-based college is known for its rigorous academic coursework, beautiful campus, and active social life. It's a balance that students (clearly) appreciate.

Other standout schools on the list include Vanderbilt University, the University of Dayton, and Auburn University.

See the full ranking below, then head over to princetonreview.com for additional rankings on all aspects of college life from the political leanings of a student body to which school has the best health services in the country.

1.) Rice University

2.) Vanderbilt University

3.) University of Dayton

4.) Auburn University

5.) University of Iowa

6.) Kansas State University

7.) Virginia Tech

8.) University of California-Santa Barbara

9.) Colby College

10.) Claremont McKenna College

11.) Clemson University

12.) St. Mary's College of Maryland

13.) The College of New Jersey

14.) University of Vermont

15.) University of Oklahoma

16.) College of William and Mary

17.) Lake Forest College

18.) Rhodes College

19.) Worcester Polytechnic Institute

20.) Saint Anselm College

You Might Also Like