For some students, college is a life-changing opportunity to get an education and find a network that will help kick-start their careers. But for others, it’s more of a four-year, non-stop party, with a few classes thrown in. There are always plenty of opportunities to have fun, especially during homecoming, when themed parties, parades and sporting events can turn into weeklong celebrations, but some colleges have a well-earned reputation for partying. And a new ranking reveals which ones they are.
- Niche’s list of the 2026 Top Party Schools in America has just come out.
- Every year, they come out with the ranking of the best party schools in the U.S. as part of their annual best colleges list.
- It’s based on student surveys of the party scene around campus, athletics, Greek life ratings, and access to bars and restaurants.
- This year, the University of California, Santa Barbara takes the crown as the top party school.
- One of their biggest parties, “Deltopia,” happens during spring break and brings crowds to the Isla Vista beach community near campus.
- UC Santa Barbara doesn’t have a traditional homecoming, as they don’t currently have an NCAA football team, but they do have a huge party every fall with a Halloween celebration.
- Florida State University in Tallahassee is the number two top party school in the U.S.
- At FSU, sports are a big part of campus life, there’s a thriving Greek life, and more than 700 clubs for students to join.
The Top 10 Party Schools in the U.S. for 2026
- The University of California, Santa Barbara
- Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida
- Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana
- University of Southern California in Los Angeles
- University of Wisconsin Madison in Madison, Wisconsin
- University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York
- University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia
- Howard University in Washington, D.C.
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Champaign, Illinois
Source: Business Insider