Two Midwest Universities Near Rockford Rank Among America’s Top Party Schools

The Top Party Schools Rankings just dropped, and I’m impressed with Illinois and Wisconsin universities making the list.

Niche based the rankings on athletics, Greek life, access to bars/restaurants, and, of course, the party scene.

Florida State University in Tallahassee took the #1 spot this time around, up one from last year’s #2 ranking, while Tulane in New Orleans is right behind FSU.

READ MORE: Illinois Universities Dominate U.S. News Rankings

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UW-Madison and UIUC Represent Local Big Ten Party Scene

Here’s the best part, especially for us in Rockford, as the University of Wisconsin-Madison is #3 on the list.

If you’ve ever been to Camp Randall for a football game on a Saturday, you know that UW is deserving of that ranking.

A little further down the state from us in Illinois, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign made the list at #10.

READ MORE: Why Wisconsin Ranks High For Affordable Community Colleges

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From ISU to SIU: Classic Midwest Party School Memories

I think both schools have earned their reputations as great party schools, but for me, I’ve never had more fun than when I visited Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal. I’d also rank Indiana University in Bloomington favorably.

Southern Illinois University in Carbondale is also a low-key, fun party school that used to have a reputation for being out of hand back in the day. It has calmed down quite a bit since then.

Of course, the best party school is probably the one you went to when you were 20 and could somehow stay out until 2 a.m. and still function the next day.