3 Massachusetts College Towns Are Among the Best in the Northeast

Any New Englander will tell you that there are many factors contributing to the region's excellent reputation, including the schools and higher education opportunities.

New England is home to over 250+ colleges and universities, according to The New England Board of Higher Education and CollegeSimply. But it's not just these institutions which hold appeal to prospective students; it's the towns they're located in. After all, when you're not in the classroom or studying, these communities are where you go to shop, eat, and have fun with friends.

But of the countless college towns in the area, which ones are the best of the best? That's where U.S. News comes in.

The media company published a list of 10 destination college towns in the Northeast, offering "a mix of art, dining and recreation" to current and prospective students. Of these 10 communities, three were selected to represent the Bay State of Massachusetts. Let's take a look and learn more.

Williamstown, Massachusetts

First up is Williamstown.

In the spirit of honesty, this writer knows nothing about this place, except that it's nestled out in the Berkshires. But according to U.S. News, this small community is a haven for creative souls. Besides being the home of Williams College, the town also features the Clark Art Institute, as well as several museums. And during the summer months, the annual Williamstown Theatre Festival brings artists together to produce both classic works and world-premiere plays and musicals.

Amherst, Massachusetts

Did someone say "ZooMass"?

You can't talk about Massachusetts college towns without mentioning the home of UMass Amherst. Besides the massive public school and its staggering 28,000+ students, Amherst is also home to the smaller Amherst and Hampshire Colleges, as well as museums, craft breweries, and places to spend time in the great outdoors, according to U.S. News.

Boston, Massachusetts

Yours truly was surprised by this.

Boston is home to many amazing colleges and universities, but because of the wide metropolitan radius, some of the campuses are nothing alike. For instance, schools like Emerson and Suffolk are in the heart of the city, while Harvard's smaller campus across the river in Cambridge feels like your quintessential college town. So using the umbrella term of "Boston" feels rather broad. But one thing's for sure: no matter what school you go to, if you're anywhere near the city, you'll never run out of things to see, do, and explore.

To read the full list of destination college towns from U.S. News, click here.