If you’re graduating high school soon, you’ve likely already started looking for a college or university to attend. If so, here’s the thing; whatever Arizona college or university you choose, you’ll live in the college town where it’s located. That makes the town almost as important as the college itself. Plus, you might also end up living in your college town after graduation. According to a study, students said they planned on staying in the same town as their college or university post-graduation. So it’s important to put your roots down in the right spot! Check out the best college towns in Arizona so you can make the right choice.
Arizona Colleges All Have Great Amenities
Arizona has the best college and university towns! We’re one of the most popular states for college students. Here’s why:
- Several excellent schools, including the University of Arizona and Arizona State University.
- Many adrenaline-increasing opportunities for outdoor adventures.
- There are over 340 days of sunshine in Arizona.
- The cost of living in Arizona is affordable.
- If snow-skiing and snowboarding are close!
- The sunsets. There’s nothing like an Arizona sunset.
Did we convince you to at least consider going to school in Arizona? Whatever school you choose, if it’s in one of the cities below, you can expect great things while attending!
Arizona College and University Towns: Chandler
Major Schools in Chandler, Arizona:
- Chandler-Gilbert Community College
- Golf Academy of America-Phoenix
- International Baptist College and Seminary
Why It’s a Top Arizona College and University Town:
- Over 60 parks to get your green space on!
- It’s one of the best places to live in Arizona, according to Niche.com.
- Its downtown district is excellent.
What To Do in Chandler, Arizona:
- Ride the range at the Koli Equestrian Center. Miles of trails on calm, mature horses.
- See some drag racing at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.
- Bicycle almost everywhere on Chandler’s 325+ miles of bike paths and lanes.
- Fish the well-stocked lakes in Valley of the Sun.
Where to Live in Chandler, Arizona:
- West Chandler
- Downtown
- Carino Estates
- Fox Crossing
- Glenview Estates
Arizona College and University Towns: Flagstaff
Major Schools in Flagstaff, Arizona:
- Northern Arizona University
- Coconino Community College
- CollegeAmerica-Flagstaff
Why It’s a Top Arizona College and University Town:
- Truly gorgeous natural beauty all around.
- A vibrant art and entertainment scene.
- Fresh mountain air!
What To Do in Flagstaff, Arizona:
- Explore Historic Downtown.
- Attend a festival at Wheeler Park.
- Ski and see the amazing views.
Where To Live in Flagstaff, Arizona:
- Doney Park
- Pine Canyon
- Forest Highlands
- Cheshire
- Kachina Village
Arizona College and University Towns: Glendale
Major Schools in Glendale, Arizona:
- Glendale Community College
- Arizona State University-West
- Arizona Automotive Institute
Why It’s a Top Arizona College and University Town
- It’s one of the most lively, action-packed cities in the state!
- The Westgate Entertainment District alone is worth living in Glendale!
- The amazing weather.
What To Do in Glendale, Arizona:
- Watch the NFL’s Cardinals play at the University of Phoenix’s stadium!
- Listen to live music every Friday and Saturday at Fountain Park.
- Explore Thunderbird Conservation park and help the environment.
- Visit the always fascinating Xeriscape Botanical Gardens.
Where To Live in Glendale, Arizona:
- Marshal ranch
- Thunderbird Estates
- Rovey Farm Estates
- Arrowhead Ranch
Arizona College and University Towns: Mesa
Major Schools in Mesa, Arizona:
- Mesa Community College
- Arizona State University-Polytechnic
- Pima Medical Institute-Mesa
Why It’s a Top Arizona College and University Town:
- One of the highest populations of undergrads in Arizona.
- More opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors than you can imagine.
What To Do in Mesa, Arizona:
- Pick your own citrus fruits at Orange Patch.
- Visit the Mesa Arts Center. The building itself is a work of art!
- See a concert at Mesa Amphitheater.
- See the incredible Arizona Museum of Natural History.
Where To Live in Mesa, Arizona:
- Eastmark
- Sunland Village East
- Dobson Ranch
- Northgrove
- Apache Wells
Arizona College and University Towns: Phoenix
Major Schools in Phoenix, Arizona:
- Phoenix College
- Gateway Community College
- Paradise Valley Community College
Why It’s a Top Arizona College and University Town:
- Phoenix is number 11 in the world for weather and attractions!
- Luxury spas, excellent restaurants, and championship golf courses.
- That whole thing about perfect weather the entire year.
What To Do in Phoenix, Arizona:
- Hang out at CityScape, the trendy heart of Downtown Phoenix
- Indulge your British side at The Teapot with some scones and jam on the lawn.
- Let your artsy side loose on Roosevelt Row.
- Take a dip in the Lustre Rooftop VBar swimming pool.
Where To Live in Phoenix, Arizona:
- Downtown Phoenix (It’s an exciting place!)
- North Mountain Village
- Central City
- Deer Valley
Check out these other articles about Phoenix, Arizona:
Arizona College and University Towns: Scottsdale
Major Schools in Scottsdale, Arizona:
- Scottsdale Community College
- Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Scottsdale
- Cortiva Institute-Scottsdale
Why It’s a Top Arizona College and University Town:
- It’s the perfect location for amazing adventures!
- It’s near Sedona, a must-see town in Arizona!
- We might have already mentioned the always gorgeous weather!
What To Do in Scottsdale, Arizona:
- Take a cruise on the Dolly Steamboat on nearby Canyon Lake.
- Visit iconic Camelback Mountain!
- See the former home of acclaimed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Taliesin West.
- Explore the nine walkable neighborhoods of Old Town Scottsdale.
- Head out to the Sonoran Desert, where you can find true adventure!
Where To Live in Scottsdale, Arizona:
- North Scottsdale
- McCormick Ranch
- Old Town Scottsdale
- Arcadia
- Central Scottsdale
Arizona College and University Towns: Tempe
Major Schools in Tempe, Arizona:
- Arizona State University-Tempe
- Rio Salado College
- Western International University
Why It’s a Top Arizona College and University Town:
- Tempe is the #7 Best Suburb to Live in Arizona, according to Niche.com!
- Tempe’s nightlife, diversity, and weather all get an A+!
What To Do in Tempe, Arizona:
- Hiking, biking, and camping to your heart’s content.
- Visit the spectacular Desert Botanical Garden.
- Hike to the top of Papago Park for the soul-stirring views.
- Visit the famous Hole in the Rock. (It’s a big hole through a big rock!)
Where To Live in Tempe, Arizona:
- Cyprus Southwest
- Optimist park NE
- Jen Tilly Terrace
- Bell De Mar Crossing
Arizona College and University Towns: Tucson
Major Schools in Tucson, Arizona:
- Pima Community College
- University of Arizona
- Pima Medical Institute-Tucson
Why It’s a Top Arizona College and University Town:
- Tuscon has very clean, fresh air which makes it one of the top college towns.
- It’s the #1 Cleanest Metropolitan Area in the United States! Obviously, that makes it a great Arizona College and University town.
- Snow is a 4-letter word in Tucson
What To Do In Tucson, Arizona:
- See the historic Dillinger Speakeasy at the hotel Congress.
- See the Santa Cruz River via the Santa Cruz River Walk Path, 60 miles of non-stop scenery.
- Talk to the animals at Reid Park Zoo.
- See a Saguaro cactus up close and personal in Saguaro National Park.
Where To Live In Tucson, Arizona:
- Armory Park
- Rita Ranch
- Civano
- Old Fort Lowell
What do you think of Arizona as a school destination now? We hope, like us, you think it’s phenomenal! On another note, we’re Storage Solutions, the self-storage experts in Arizona. We help college and university-bound students store their stuff all over the state! If you need help with a storage unit when moving to college, we can help. We’ve got clean storage units that are also secure. Chat online if you have questions, or come on in and say “hello”! Until then, best of luck choosing your Arizona college or university town!