Based on information from an article by Greg Glesen, Delaware News Journal, April 12, 2025
Newark has earned national recognition as one of the top 100 college towns in the United States—coming in at an impressive #42 overall and #9 in the South in RentCafe.com’s 2025 rankings.
The list analyzed over 300 cities and towns with a student population of at least 10%, evaluating a mix of academics and 12 key factors such as cost of living, tuition fees, graduation rates, air quality, natural amenities, and entertainment options. Newark scored a strong 89.17, putting it just ahead of State College, PA (home to Penn State) and Madison, WI (home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison).
The study highlights how the best college towns are often built around a single major university, creating a vibrant, student-focused environment where the school and the city grow together. RentCafe notes that in towns like Newark, local businesses and organizations work hand-in-hand with the university to build a welcoming, collaborative community—a perfect description of life here in downtown Newark.
As Lang residents, you’re already living in one of the country’s best college towns—surrounded by restaurants, shops, trails, and everything that makes the University of Delaware experience so unique.
And in case you’re wondering who took the top honors this year, here are the Top 10 College Towns in the U.S. for 2025:
- Bozeman, Montana – Montana State University
- Pullman, Washington – Washington State University
- Gainesville, Florida – University of Florida
- Boone, North Carolina – Appalachian State University
- Clemson, South Carolina – Clemson University
- East Lansing, Michigan – Michigan State University
- Moscow, Idaho – University of Idaho
- Provo, Utah – Brigham Young University
- Ann Arbor, Michigan – University of Michigan
- Stanford, California – Stanford University
Way to go, Newark!
Want to read more? The original article by Greg Glesen was published in the Delaware News Journal on April 12, 2025. Best College Towns in the US in 2025: Where Delaware cities rank