From which schools offer the best classes to what kind of professional network they want to build, college decisions can be a complicated question for students and their families to navigate.
But for some students, it also comes down to one thing: where they'll have the most fun outside class.
This year, Florida State University is the place to be. It was ranked the No. 1 party school in the US for 2027 by Niche.
Some schools hold large events during homecoming or football seasons, while others keep them going year-round. One school, the University of Miami, for example, has a boat-burning ceremony in which scores of students gather around Lake Osceola in Coral Gables, Florida, to watch a boat burn as part of homecoming events.
At some schools, party culture centers on tailgating and football games, while at others, large off-campus parties are the main social events.
Every year, Niche publishes a list of the best party schools in the US as part of its annual best colleges list. The site uses student surveys of the party scene on campus, ratings for athletics and Greek life, and access to bars and restaurants based on US Census data to determine the ranking.
Whether it's large state schools or smaller colleges with tight-knit communities, these are the 15 schools across the US where students party the hardest in 2026 and 2027.
15. Howard University in Washington, DC
Howard University, a historically Black college, was named the 15th-best party school in the US.
Known as "The Mecca," the school is the alma mater of key figures such as Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, but that doesn't mean that students sacrifice fun for academics.
The Washington, DC, school has a large and engaged Greek life scene. Some students attend "Thirsty Thursdays" parties or darties (day parties) between classes, The Root reported.
"The good parties are off campus," one student wrote on Niche. "If you're not a party person, there are so many organizations to be a part of, so you will find your people."
14. Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York
Syracuse University was ranked the 14th-best party school in the nation by Niche.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, students marked the end of the school year with Mayfest, a celebration that featured performances and parties. While the tradition hasn't returned, it has inspired different events at the end of the spring semester, such as 2023's "Block Darty."
Even as traditions change, Syracuse has kept its party-school reputation thanks to its large Greek life scene.
In October, students celebrate homecoming with tailgates, networking events, and open house tours of campus buildings.
"The party culture is very fun," one student wrote on Niche, while another added that "the overall culture was overly centered around Greek life and partying."
13. University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
With 71 social Greek life chapters, the University of Alabama has been one of the nation's largest fraternity and sorority communities in terms of active membership since 2021.
"Bama Rush," a 2023 documentary, took viewers inside the high-stakes world of sororities at the school, showing the fashion, culture, and shortcomings of Greek-life recruitment.
"I have loved the first few weeks that I have been part of the UA community," a university freshman wrote on Niche, adding that they'd "made connections with students from all over the country, and that has been an eye-opening experience for me."
12. University of Texas—Austin in Austin
At UT Austin, the party scene often centers on game days, campus traditions, and the bars and venues along nearby West Campus and Sixth Street.
Football weekends during the fall bring students, alumni, and visitors together for tailgates, concerts, and late-night celebrations across the city.
"The party scene is also just as lively as the people here. You'll always be able to find an event on weekends, from frat/sorority house parties to student organization events and an iconic bar street," one freshman wrote on Niche.
11. Morgan State University in Baltimore
Morgan State University in Baltimore ranked 11th in Niche's national ranking.
Students at the HBCU often gather for large block parties and daytime events, while homecoming brings an even bigger campus-wide celebration. The annual festivities typically include major concerts, alumni events, and parties across campus.
"The party life is very lively, there's always something going on, and there is literally something at Morgan for EVERYBODY," one freshman wrote on Niche.
10. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Champaign, Illinois
Famous for its party-school reputation, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranked 10th among party schools.
The school, which is also ranked the best public university in Illinois by Niche, has repeatedly been ranked a top party school. In 2015, the then-university chancellor, Phyllis Wise, told CNN that the school wasn't proud of the label.
Still, students enjoy a vibrant party culture, which includes the famous Unofficial Saint Patrick's Day celebration during the first week of March, when students party through the weekend in an alternative to the traditional Saint Patrick's Day, which falls during the school's spring break.
One student on Niche described the school as the "definition of study hard, party harder," while another wrote that "the party scene is amazing," and the school is "overall a great place to go to college if you are willing to be outgoing."
9. West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia
West Virginia University also made it to the top 10, after Niche named it the ninth-best party school in the US.
Located in Morgantown, the school's social life is shaped by Mountaineers athletics, Greek life, and campus traditions. Its Greek community hosts more than 70 social, professional, academic, service, interest-based, and honorary fraternal organizations, per the school.
"West Virginia University is a big school with a lot to offer for many different people," one student wrote on Niche. "I would recommend it to someone who is willing to go out of their way to find their community. Due to the size and party nature of the school, it can be easy to feel isolated if you don't fit in with the average WVU student. Otherwise, the nature and campus are beautiful, and the academics are great."
Another student on the site highlighted the school's other "types of fun ways to spend the night that don't have to involve alcohol" like the free, late-night UpAllNight event hosted by the school every weekend over the fall and spring semesters, which puts on free events like game shows, bingo, trivia, bowling, billiards, and other activities for students who want to party without the alcohol.
8. University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia
The University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, was ranked the eighth-best party school in the nation.
The school's party reputation comes partly from its large Greek life scene, in which over 30% of undergrad students participate, the Red and Black student newspaper reported. The school also has a large football fan base, and every year, students and alums celebrate homecoming with parades, tailgates, and other events.
"Although the academics are hard, the party scene and friendships made will be worth it all," one student wrote on Niche.
7. The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio
The social scene on campus at Ohio State is vibrant, with Buckeyes football, student organizations, and Greek life often filling up students' free time.
The school's homecoming celebrations are large and historic, with the tradition dating back to 1912. Celebrations last a week and include alumni reunions and a parade.
"It is a great school if you are looking to party, be involved, and get a good education," one student wrote on Niche.
6. The Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pennsylvania
Penn State was ranked the sixth-best party school in the US.
Student life at the University Park school is often defined by football, Greek life, and student-led traditions like THON, a student-run charity dance marathon in which 400 student organizations and over 16,000 students participate each year, per the school.
"There's always something happening, whether it's a club event, a speaker, a game, or just a random Tuesday that turns into a great night with friends," one student wrote on Niche.
5. University of Southern California in Los Angeles
The University of Southern California in Los Angeles was ranked the fifth-best party school in the US.
The school, which has an acceptance rate of only 10% and a total cost of attendance of over $100,000, per its website, has one of the largest college football teams in the western US.
Each year, students welcome the Trojans back to Los Angeles during a weeklong homecoming celebration.
Part of the school's party ranking is thanks to its large Greek life scene, which often hosts parties at fraternity houses, welcoming students and their parents, including Will Ferrell.
"The social and party life is unmatched," one student wrote on Niche.
4. University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio
The Catholic school balances religious life with its party scene and has a student experience shaped by Greek life, 240 student organizations, athletics, and on-campus student housing, which some students opt for during all four years of undergrad.
One of the largest events at the school is Christmas on Campus, when the campus community gathers to welcome children from the Dayton community to a tree-lighting ceremony, a mass, winter displays, and seasonal foods like hot cocoa and decorated cookies.
"You won't feel as if you don't have a friend," one student wrote on Niche.
"Partying and the weekend are a big part of campus life," another said. One student mentioned that the weekend often starts as early as Wednesday for students at the school.
3. University of Wisconsin—Madison in Madison, Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin—Madison was ranked third on the list.
Students at UW—Madison have access to various social activities, including recreational, leadership-based, and philanthropic activities. The school also has more than 60 Greek organizations.
"There is a good campus life and downtown Madison is a great place for socializing and interacting with others," one college junior wrote about the school on Niche. "Most people here want to see you succeed, and it is a very enjoyable experience."
2. Tulane University in New Orleans
Tulane University, which The Wall Street Journal ranked the top party school last year, is the second-best party school on Niche's 2027 list and the sixth-best school for Greek life in the US, per Niche's 2027 ranking.
Famous for its spirited campus atmosphere, especially during Mardi Gras, this New Orleans university enjoys its party-school reputation because of its location and front-row access to the city's vibrant culture.
In addition to off-site bars and eateries, the college has 25 Greek chapters and more than 200 social clubs, such as the Just Dance Club, the Improv Club, and even a crochet club.
One college freshman summarized it best: "The school is the definition of work hard, play hard(er)!"
1. Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida
The best party school is Florida State, which also ranked as the best school for Greek life in the US in another Niche ranking.
Sports are a huge part of campus life, with many students supporting a variety of athletics, from football to golf. When they're not rooting for their fellow classmates, students at FSU enjoy being part of the more than 700 clubs on campus.
"FSU is a place that accommodates many lifestyles and types of people," a college sophomore wrote on Niche, emphasizing that students with wide-ranging interests could enjoy themselves. "You can have an amazing time here without taking a sip of alcohol or ever going to any of the many nightclubs because there's always something happening right on campus."
Read next
Priyanka Rajput was an editorial partnerships fellow on Business Insider's life team.She covers everything from food and travel to real estate and entertainment. She has a knack for spotting trends and crafting visual-first stories that put readers right in the moment.From writing about her experiences of shuffling between New York and Dubai (and the joys and frustrations of calling both cities home) and reporting on Dubai's viral chocolate (which was internally nominated for a James Beard Award) to testing everything from luxury dining spots to an $18 Uber shuttle — her work combines reporting and data with personal insights.Before joining Business Insider, Priyanka covered local news for Straus News and chronicled celebrity weddings for Dream Weddings magazine. She's also written about home interiors, must-visit travel destinations, and top dining experiences for Harper's Bazaar Arabia, Villa88, Modern Luxury New York, and Chicago.She graduated from New York University in May 2024, where she studied magazine journalism, photojournalism, and digital storytelling.Expertise
- Fast food, luxury dining, and food trends
- Travel guides
- Food and travel reviews
- Chef-led recipes and cooking hacks
- Online trends
Selected stories:
- A man who's visited over 100 McDonald's restaurants around the world shares 10 items he thinks should be on every US menu
- 10 travel destinations you need to visit in 2025 — and what to do when you're there
- 9 tips for making the perfect butter chicken at home, according to a Michelin-starred chef
- The most beautiful college in every state
- TikTokers are taking 'aesthetic' photos of their TSA trays in the latest travel trend. But not everyone's on board.
Kristine Villarroel is a reporter on Business Insider's Editorial Partnerships team.Her reporting often turns data into accessible stories about how money, education, policy, and place shape Americans’ lives. She covers stories on college costs and degree outcomes, state-by-state comparisons, public officials’ salaries, the rising cost of living, travel, food, and real estate.She has previously worked writing about culture, entertainment, music, and tech. Her work has been featured on Teen Vogue and Wired. She graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in journalism. There, she worked as editor of The Independent Florida Alligator. Email Villarroel at [email protected] and follow her on X @ktnedelvalle
