The top 10 party schools in the US, ranked

College can be a life-changing opportunity for young people to get an education, grow their network, and kick-start their careers.

For some students, it can also be a four-year-long, nonstop party.

Across the country, thousands of students live by the “work hard, party hard” motto. Every fall, colleges host campus events for Homecoming, such as themed parties, parades, and sporting events, oftentimes resulting in weeklong celebrations.

This year, the University of California — Santa Barbara is the place to be: It was ranked the No. 1 party school in the US for 2026 in a new Niche ranking.

Still, there are plenty of schools that know how to have a good time.

One school, the University of Miami, has a boat-burning ceremony in which scores of students gather around Lake Osceola in Coral Gables, Florida, to watch a boat set on fire.

At another, Texas State University, which has campuses in San Marcos and Round Rock, Texas, students engage in competitive games, such as the annual Soap Box Derby, where students build their own cars.

Fall campus celebrations also boost local economies. Virginia’s Hampton University, for example, noted in 2024 that annual events, including homecoming and commencement, bring in more than $5.2 billion annually to the historically Black university.

Every year, Niche publishes a list of the best party schools in the US as part of its annual best colleges list. To identify the top party schools, the site looks at student surveys of the party scene on campus, athletics and Greek life ratings, and access to bars and restaurants based on US Census data.

The University of California — Santa Barbara took the crown for the top party school this year, and Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, followed in second place.

Here’s a closer look at the best party schools that made the list.

10. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Champaign, Illinois

Famous for its party school reputation, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was ranked as the 10th-best party school in the nation.

The school, which is also ranked as the best public university in Illinois by Niche, has been ranked as a top party school repeatedly. In 2015, the then-University Chancellor Phyllis Wise told CNN that the school was not 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, where 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. Howard University in Washington, DC

The only historically Black university in the ranking, Howard University was named the ninth best party school in the US.

Known as “The Mecca,” the school is the alma mater of key figures like 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, per The Root.

“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.”

8. University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia

The University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, was ranked the eighth-best party school in the nation. Last year, the school came sixth on Niche’s ranking, per the Augusta Chronicle.

The school’s party reputation comes partly from its large Greek life scene, in which over 30% of students enrolled participate, per the Red and Black student newspaper. The school also has a large football fanbase, and every year, students and alumni 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. Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York

Syracuse University was ranked as the seventh top party school in the nation in Niche’s ranking.

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 post-pandemic, it has inspired different events at the end of the spring semester, like 2023’s “Block Darty.“

Even with traditions changing, Syracuse has kept its party school reputation thanks to its large Greek life scene.

Starting October 17, students will 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.”

6. University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Sixth on the list is this Southern institution, which enjoys a reputation as a top party school.

With 71 social Greek life chapters, the school has been one of the nation’s largest fraternity and sorority communities in terms of active membership since 2021.

“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.”

This year’s Homecoming theme is “Lights, Crimson, Action,” per the school’s website. The weeklong event, which kicks off on November 9, includes a pep rally, parade, and bonfire.

5. University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison, Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin-Madison was ranked fifth on the list.

Students at UW-Madison have access to various social activities, including ones that are recreational, leadership-based, or philanthropic. 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.”

Starting October 5, the school undergoes a celebratory transformation for Homecoming week in which students, alums, and several social clubs come together to participate in traditional events.

4. University of Southern California in Los Angeles

One of two California schools on the list, the University of Southern California in Los Angeles was ranked as the fourth-best party school in the US.

The school, which has an acceptance rate of only 10% and comes with a $73,260 yearly tuition price tag per the school’s website, has one of the biggest college football teams in the western US.

Each year, students welcome the Trojans back in Los Angeles during a weeklong homecoming celebration. Starting November 15, students and alumni will participate in celebratory tailgates and events.

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.

3. Tulane University in New Orleans

Tulane University, which The Wall Street Journal ranked the top party school last year, is the third party school on Niche’s 2026 list.

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)!”

2. Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida

The second-best party school is Florida State.

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.”

The college celebrates Homecoming starting October 31. This year’s lineup includes an alumni reunion, a parade, and tailgates.

1. University of California — Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, California

Topping the list is the University of California — Santa Barbara.

Every year, the unsanctioned spring break party “Deltopia” attracts crowds to Isla Vista, a beach community near the college campus, the Los Angeles Times reported.

“Do not come here if you don’t like to party,” one student wrote on Niche, while another noted that “the work hard, party hard mentality is real here, but it keeps life balanced!”

Instead of a traditional homecoming, the school hosts the All Gaucho Reunion, an alumni reunion in the spring. One of the major party holidays for the school in lieu of a traditional homecoming week is Halloween, when thousands of students flock to Isla Vista to party, per the Daily Nexus, the student newspaper at the school.

The post The top 10 party schools in the US, ranked appeared first on Business Insider.