Top Party Schools

Students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have access to numerous bars on campus, including Illini Inn and Legends. The legal age to enter a bar is 19 in Champaign and 18 in Urbana, giving students access to nightlife opportunities, even if they are not legally allowed to drink.

The university has more than 1,800 student organizations, which offer events and festivities for students. Students can learn about activities and opportunities to socialize at Quad Day each fall.

The university's strong fraternity and sorority presence results in plenty of college parties and events with alcohol, music, and entertainment. Students at this Big Ten school take sporting events seriously, and the party atmosphere on football game days includes body-painting traditions, tailgating, and participation in the Illini Pride student section.

Located on Lakes Monona and Mendota, the University of Wisconsin-Madison was founded in 1848 and is one of the leading research institutions in the world. Named the top college football town in America by the NCAA in 2015, the college touts 23 Big Ten varsity teams.

When students aren't tailgating, they can visit Der Rathskeller — a bar — in the student union. Additionally, UW straddles State Street, which is a pedestrian mall with shops, restaurants, and plenty of bars. Students can also hang out on the Memorial Union Terrace and enjoy a beer, live music, and a breeze off the lake.

Students have access to a robust Greek life, and events like Madison's annual Brat Fest. The first Saturday in May, thousands participate in the Mifflin Street block party. Partiers can celebrate the end of a long Wisconsin winter.

Indiana University Bloomington has more than 750 student organizations and more than 65 fraternities and sororities. Students enjoy Hoosier traditions like welcome week and homecoming — annual events with party atmospheres. Each year, IU also hosts the Little 500, which is a bike race with thousands in attendance. During the annual Dance Marathon, students dance all weekend for a good cause.

IU students and fans take tailgating seriously during football season and spread the festivities across campus. Additionally, basketball season at IU kicks off with Hoops Hysteria and offers students even more opportunities for college parties. The Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall has one of the largest student sections in the country.

Popular college bars in Bloomington, such as Kilroys Sports and Nick's English Hut, cater to students on game days and throughout the year, offering happy hours and late-night entertainment.

Each year, Michigan State University in East Lansing hosts the Spartan Remix — a festival of art, music, and culture — to start the academic year on a celebratory note. MSU's active Greek life provides students with ample opportunities to socialize and party.

Students can attend on-campus concerts and sporting events, while tailgating and game-day traditions usher students into the MSU community. Campus clubs hold themed parties at local bars, including Sparty Bar Mitzvah and Sparty Gras presented by MSU's Hillel Center.

Given the strong party presence, MSU and the city of East Lansing have teamed up to provide students with party guidelines to prevent out-of-hand celebrations and to encourage students to drink responsibly.

Tuscaloosa — home to the University of Alabama — has a reputation for providing students with a good time. Kicking off the year, the Weeks of Welcome program welcomes incoming first-year and returning students with festivities, food, and music. More than 11,500 students participate in Greek life at the university, which provides access to college parties.

Crimson Tide sporting events are celebrated with elaborate tailgating and partying. Football games attract thousands of fans and students, who enjoy beer, food, and music. The school also offers an area for family-friendly pregaming. Tailgating also features long-held traditions like the Elephant Stomp and the Walk of Champions.

Tuscaloosa has a thriving bar scene, and the University of Alabama campus is adjacent to downtown. Students can visit the Houndstooth Sports Bar (self-proclaimed as Alabama's favorite college bar), Alcove (Tuscaloosa's smallest bar), and Rounders (a rooftop bar).

Near downtown Athens, the University of Georgia includes 17 schools and colleges that encourage academic excellence and research innovation. Situated 70 miles east of Atlanta, downtown Athens contains many bars, pubs, and restaurants.

UGA boasts a large number of fraternities and sororities, which promote leadership and diversity. They are also known for their tailgating and college parties, including Pajama Jam, which is referred to as the "biggest party in the southeast."

UGA has a strong football tradition, and students can participate in elaborate tailgating events. Tailgating at UGA often involves an all-day party with music, drinks, and food. Football games between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Florida Gators (UGA's biggest rival) take place at a neutral site in Jacksonville, Florida — these games are known as "The World's Largest Cocktail Party."

Florida State University provides events, games, and movies for students to enjoy. Students can also take advantage of the thriving Tallahassee nightlife. Bullwinkle's — a bar situated on the Tallahassee Strip — offers drink specials, music, and a tiki bar four days a week, while nightclubs like TENN give students a chance to dance.

With over 800 clubs and student organizations, there are lots of social gatherings on campus. FSU's 54 fraternities and sororities boast over 6,000 members; these organizations can provide alcohol at on-campus events and activities with university permission. Official Seminole tailgating parties feature music and gameday activities.

The Pennsylvania State University — in University Park — has a party atmosphere, especially during the football season. Thousands of fans and students enjoy beer and music while tailgating before and during Penn State football games. Greek organizations also have a strong presence on campus.

College bars like the All-American Rathskeller have provided the Penn State community with food and beer since the 1930s. Other local favorites include Zeno's Pub and the Liberty Craft House. Zeno's holds beer festivals and offers live music, while the Liberty Craft House has nearly 50 beers on tap. Student's don't need to leave campus to enjoy a pub-style setting; they can stop by Whiskers for events like Winesdays.

The University of Texas at Austin is located in one of the state's most vibrant and culturally rich cities. Each spring, the university hosts RoundUp, which includes music, food, and drinks for the Austin community and UT Austin students. The event is usually accompanied by additional parties on campus.

Students can enjoy an alcoholic beverage and a show without leaving campus at the Cactus Café and Bar. They can catch live music events or drop in for open mic nights on Mondays. UT Austin students also celebrate and party on football game days.

Austin's thriving music scene provides students with plenty of concerts to attend, and local music venues offer various types of entertainment. Each weekend, Sixth Street in downtown Austin is blocked off for a street party, during which students can visit bars, pubs, and craft breweries without paying cover charges.

West Virginia University in Morgantown was founded in 1867 as a public land-grant institution. Incoming first-year and returning students start the year with FallFest — a week-long celebration with musical guests and free food vouchers; previous headlining acts include Maroon 5 and Kanye West.

Morgantown's nightlife and bar community provides numerous opportunities to eat, drink, and have fun. Students can party on High Street, visit the Mountaineer Taphouse, and enjoy hours of tailgating on game day during football season. Students also have the opportunity to demonstrate their school spirit during Mountaineer Week. This annual event features a craft fair on campus, as well as contests and other activities.