The Best USA Cities for Student Apartments

During your college years, the city you choose to live in will be just as significant as the college you attend. Not only will a vibrant college city provide you with enough to do while you're not in class, but it will also be home to a diverse selection of higher education institutions, so it’s a win-win! Here are the top seven cities for student apartments in the USA. 

1. Boston 

Boston is by far one of the best cities for student apartments in the USA. According to the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2022, Boston is ranked ninth globally and has a score of 92.1. 

It’s the home of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, which are ranked first and second in the world according to the QS World University Rankings® 2015/16. Boston has five other universities that rank in the top 400 as well. The city is known for its arts and culture, especially contemporary classical music. It is also renowned for its love for sports.

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2. New York

Known as “The Big Apple”, “The City That Never Sleeps”, and the “Capital of the World”, New York is considered the second-best city for student apartments in the USA. It is ranked 16th according to the QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2022, with an overall score of 87.8. 

It has some of the best universities, such as Columbia University, ranked 22nd in the QS World University Rankings® 2015/16, New York University, ranked 53rd, and nine other universities ranked in the top 800 globally. In addition, the city has over 100 colleges and universities to choose from, more than any other U.S. city. 

New York has a wide variety of public transportation so that you won’t face any hassle moving to and from campus. In addition, the city has multiple museums, shopping outlets, and skyscrapers that you can visit as a part of your study abroad experience.  New York is the most appealing city of all the top US cities for students in terms of desirability, with a high - although expensive - quality of living. 

3. San Diego

San Diego is known for its laid-back vibe and gorgeous weather. Once you get there, you will never feel like leaving. The city is home to a dozen colleges and universities such as the San Diego State University. 

When you’re not in class, you can drop by the Pacific Beach and catch some waves or visit the historic Balboa Park. Living in San Diego, you will almost always enjoy sunny days, the beach, chill people, busy nightlife, and amazing restaurants. 

4. San Francisco

Located close to California's famous tech innovation hub Silicon Valley, San Francisco is another iconic city for student accommodation in the USA. It’s located within striking distance of two of the world's most prestigious universities, Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley. 

The city also has one of the world's leading 10 financial centres: the San Francisco Bay Area. It’s home to hundreds of innovative companies, specifically in the technology sector. San Francisco has one of the strongest scores in the “employer activity” category of the QS Best Student Cities index. Even though tuition fees are high in San Francisco, living expenses are a lot cheaper than in New York. 

5. Chicago 

Chicago - AKA “The Windy City” - is known as a fast-paced, high-rise economic hub. It’s also known for being an explosion of blues and jazz music. 

Chicago is ranked as the 30th best student city in the world this year. The city is also home to two of the world’s most prestigious universities: the University of Chicago, ranked 10th in the world, and Northwestern University. This means that Chicago has a strong score for “employer activity'' as well. 

6. Los Angeles

Home to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and other esteemed universities, Los Angeles, is ranked at 42nd overall. 

The city is defined by the creative industries on which its wealth is founded: music, television, and film. Sunshine is guaranteed all year-round in Los Angeles. When living there, you will get to enjoy the California sun as well as beautiful beaches. 

7. Washington DC

It isn’t a surprise for the capital to be one of the best cities in the USA for students. The city is ranked 45th in the QS Best Student Cities overall. You will be in the heart of US history and politics. The White House, the Supreme Court, and national monuments and memorials are located in Washington DC. 

The five universities located in and near the city that ranked in the QS World University Rankings® 2015/16, including the University of Maryland, College Park, which has the highest rank at joint 126th in the world, all contribute to Washington DC's being a prominent student city.

Now that you know all about the top student cities in the USA, which city sounds like the best to you? Do you wish to study in the USA this year? If so, here is a guide on how to apply to a university in the USA.