Michigan's Best College Towns: Ann Arbor vs. East Lansing

Michigan and Michigan State fans don't agree on much.

Football? Nope. Basketball? Um. Forget it.

But now we've got something else to fight about.

Downtown Ann Arbor. (Photo via Brad Switzer on Unsplash)

WalletHub just released its rankings of America's Best College Towns for 2027, and depending on which side of the rivalry you're on, you're either going to love these results or have a few questions.

Ann Arbor Ranks Among America's Best College Towns

WalletHub compared 415 cities nationwide, looking at everything from affordability and social life to academic and economic opportunities.

Ann Arbor finished #2 in the entire country, trailing only Austin, Texas.

East Lansing? A respectable #71.

That's a 69-place difference. Go ahead, Wolverine fans. Enjoy your moment.

But be prepared to pay more for it.

East Lansing Beats Ann Arbor on Affordability

Here's where things get interesting.

When WalletHub ranked cities for "Wallet Friendliness," East Lansing finished #74 nationally.

Ann Arbor? All the way down at #195.

That's a 121-place advantage for East Lansing when it comes to how friendly a college town is to your bank account.

Broad Art Museum in East Lansing. (Photo via Google Maps)

Where Ann Arbor Has the Biggest Advantage

Ann Arbor did better in social environment (#31 versus #40) and academic and economic opportunities (#33 versus #343).

That last category measures more than just the universities themselves, so don't mistake it for a direct comparison of MSU and U of M academics.

Which Michigan College Town Gets Bragging Rights?

Overall, both cities landed among America's top 75 college towns.

Ann Arbor gets the bragging rights for the higher overall ranking.

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But East Lansing gets to remind everyone that college is expensive enough already.

And for once, Spartan fans have the numbers to back up an argument.

The Best College Basketball Towns in America: Top 10

WalletHub ranked 296 cities based on how awesome (or terrible) they are for college basketball fans. They looked at things like team performance, championship wins, ticket prices, fan engagement, and stadium size. Big cities, midsize towns, and small spots were all compared. The result? A definitive (and possibly debatable) Top 10 ranking! See the link in the #1 College Basketball Town in America for the full methodology. Let's begin the countdown:

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

U.S. News 2026 Ranking of the Colleges of The Big Ten

U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on real outcomes, not game-day vibes. The biggest factors include graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, academic reputation, financial strength, and how well graduates land jobs.

So while your college memories might deserve their own leaderboard, this one is all about performance before, during, and after that diploma hits your hand.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow