(For the most updated list, click here for the 2010-2011 Top Party School Rankings.)
Every year, the Princeton Review tabulates a list of top 20 rankings of schools across the United States, and by far its most well-known ranking is its Top Party School ranking. According to a survey of about 122,000 college students nationwide, the noteworthy 2009-2010 title goes to Penn State University, which climbed two spots from #3. The newly dethroned 2008-2009 Top Party School winner, the University of Florida, fell to #2.
Here's the Princeton Review's complete list of top party schools:
- Pennsylvania State University
- University of Florida
- University of Mississippi
- University of Georgia
- Ohio University
- West Virginia University
- The University of Texas at Austin
- The University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Florida State University
- University of California-Santa Barbara
- University of Colorado-Boulder
- University of Iowa
- Union College
- Indiana University
- DePauw University
- University of Tennessee
- Sewanee: The University of the South
- University of North Dakota
- Tulane University
- Arizona State University
So what is a party school, anyway, and who figures out what school is the top one? Read more about what it means to be a party school.
Trends in the Top Party Rankings
As usual, the list of party schools was dominated by large state universities, including some of the perennial members of the list, including the University of Georgia, Indiana University, Ohio University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. However, this trend might be changing a bit, as smaller schools have been making a more frequent appearance on the list. Two large schools fell off the list from the previous year – The University of New Hampshire and the University of Illinois. There were no new big state college or universities on the list.
On the other hand, three new liberal arts colleges found themselves on the top party school ranking. At #13 was Union College, a small school in Schenectady, New York with about 2,200 students. At #15 was DePauw University in tiny Greencastle, Indiana, a school with a reputation throughout the Midwest of having a huge Greek system and lots of tailgate parties. At #17 was Sewanee in Sewanee, Tennessee, a school with an enrollment of under 1,500.
Despite the new reign of Penn State, Southern schools still dominate the nation's top party schools, with 9 out of 20 of the top spots. Contrary to reputation, northeastern schools had only three entries on the list. Three states stood out with two entries: Florida (the University of Florida and Florida State), Tennessee (the University of Tennessee and Sewanee), and Indiana (Indiana University and DePauw).
Stone Cold Sober Schools
Many of the Princeton Review rankings come in pairs, and the top party school ranking is paired with its opposite, the "Stone Cold Sober Schools" ranking. For the 12th year in a row, Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah – which is affiliated with the Mormon Church – topped this list. As usual, the stone cold sober list was dominated primarily by religious institutions and military schools.
Top Party Schools: The Hype Continues
Every year, when the Princeton Review announces its annual top party school rankings, this ranking becomes fodder for news stations, blogs, and conversations between concerned parents. Ultimately, though, most colleges and universities have space for students who like to party and students who prefer to remain cold sober, and everyone in between. Students should keep in mind that although the top party ranking is informative, it's probably not a good criteria for choosing or rejecting a school.
Naomi Rockler-Gladen - Instructional designer and freelance writer, Naomi Rockler-Gladen writes some of Suite101's most read work.
