Work hard, play hard is a mantra for many during college.
Socializing, having fun and making memories are all considered part of the course of the college experience, so discovering which college campus culture prioritizes fun can be a key factor for some students.
Ranking and review site Niche ranks colleges on all manner of themes, including the party scene.
Spokesperson Natalie Tsay told Newsweek: "Our Top Party Schools ranking is one of the few that relies primarily on feedback from students and alumni themselves—their survey responses make up 70 percent of this particular ranking.
"So if a school tops the list, it's because its own community told us they have a lively party scene.
"Other factors we look at are access to bars and restaurants, Athletics, and Greek Life, all of which contribute to the nightlife and general vibe of a college."
Here are the 25 top party schools, according to Niche.
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25. University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private research college based in Coral Gables, Florida.
One ex-student writes: "I have loved my time at UMiami so far! There is a great party scene here if that is what you are interested in, but if you're not, you will fit in here as well."
24. University of Colorado - Boulder
The University of Colorado is a highly rated public college, with popular majors including Business, Psychology and Public Relations.
One former student clearly enjoyed the experience, writing: "Amazing school–wouldn't have changed a thing.
Great campus and college town, everything you could ask for in an undergraduate experience. Lots of opportunities to grow and experiences for all interests."
23. The Ohio State University
OSU is a public, land-grant research college commonly ranked as among the best public universities in the U.S.
One alumnus led the following feedback on Niche: "The campus is awesome since there are so many things to do close by."
22. Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist is a highly rated private, college located in University Park, Texas, with popular majors including Finance, Economics and Accounting.
Among the comments left by students is one that reads simply: "I had the absolute time of my life here."
21. University of Delaware
UD is a highly rated public and large educational institution located in the Philadelphia area, with popular majors including Finance, Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Marketing.
Reviews for the popular party college left on Niche.com include: "Awesome opportunities for everyone, plenty of clubs and activities".
20. San Diego State University
San Diego State is a highly rated large, public institution, with popular majors including Business, Psychology, and Liberal Arts and Humanities.
One five-star review left on Niche states: "Beautiful campus with many interesting extracurricular activities, people were all very kind and welcoming!"
19. Michigan State University
Founded in 1855, Michigan State University is a public land-grant research college, with popular majors including Advertising, Biology and Communications.
One recent review left by a student states: "It is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and get involved in fun activities."
18. University of Texas - Austin
UT Austin is a highly rated public college, with popular majors including Business, Biology and Economics.
One review left on Niche.com in the summer of 2021 states: "I love UT and really enjoyed my time at UT. I wish it was longer because it is fun and enjoyable school."
17. University of Mississippi
Ole Miss is a highly rated public university located in University, Mississippi, with popular majors including Liberal Arts and Humanities, Accounting, and Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia.
University of Mississippi alumni praise the college for its "great small-town vibe" and the intuition's "great nightlife."
16. University of California - Santa Barbara
UC Santa Barbara is a highly rated public college located in Isla Vista, with popular majors including Sociology, Economics, and Research and Experimental Psychology.
Reviews on Niche include statements such as: "Santa Barbara was a dream!" and "UCSB has this aura surrounding it that makes it enchanted."
15. Miami University
Founded in 1809, Miami University is a public research college based in Oxford, Ohio, with popular majors including Finance, Marketing and Psychology.
One review left in the summer of 2021 states: "If you want a school that has that traditional college feel, and a vibrant social life then Oxford is the place to go."
14. Indiana University - Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is a public research college popular among students for its majors in Business, Public Administration and Computer and Information Sciences.
Indiana University alumni describe their experience as a party place where they make "lifelong friends."
13. University of Iowa
Founded in 1847, the University of Iowa is a public research university specialising in Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Finance, and Liberal Arts and Humanities.
University of Iowa students describe their experience at this party college as a "perfect mix of small-town and big city" and somewhere they made "lifelong friends."
12. Ohio University
Chartered in 1787, Ohio University is a public research university in Athens, ranked as one of the best colleges for nursing in the U.S.
Students have praised the party atmosphere at Ohio University on Niche.com, with one student staring the experience has been "nothing short of enriching."
11. Penn State
Founded in 1855, the Pennsylvania State University is a public state-related land-grant research university with facilities across Pennsylvania.
A review posted in 2021 states: "The atmosphere at PennState is awesome. It is very much 'work hard, play hard'."
10. West Virginia University
WVU is a highly rated public large educational institution based in Morgantown, West Virginia with popular majors including Liberal Arts and Humanities, Journalism and Mechanical Engineering.
West Virginia enjoys a reputation as a sociable college with one reviewer commenting Niche: "My four years of undergraduate study at WVU were quite memorable."
9. University of Southern California
USC is a highly rated private and large LA institution, with popular majors including Business, Biology and Communications.
There are many reviews praising the college's "mix of academic classes, student organizations, and just fun activities that give you the right balance between learning and fun."
8. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Founded in 1867, this public land-grant research university counts 26 Pulitzer Prize winners and 23 Nobel Laureates as notable alumni.
One former student posted in July 2021: "Best school academically and socially. Could not have picked a more perfect place to spend my four years."
7. Syracuse University
Syracuse is a highly rated private New York university with popular majors including Information Science, Psychology and Economics.
A survey conducted by Niche states 64 percent of Syracuse University students say "the dorms' social atmosphere is great" and the majority of respondents were impressed with the "party options Wednesday-Saturday."
6. University of Georgia
Georgia is a highly rated public large institution located in Athens and specialising in Finance, Psychology, and Biology.
Alumni feedback on Niche praises Georgia for being a "great school for both academics and student life" and for being a "classic American college experience."
5. The University of Alabama
Alabama is a highly rated public university located in Tuscaloosa, with popular majors including Marketing, Finance, and Business.
Top-rated reviews discuss part town the University of Alabama's "amazing environment" and "welcoming, inclusive culture."
4. Howard University
Howard is an above-average private university located in Washington, D.C, with popular majors including Biology, Political Science and Government.
Reviews on Niche praise both the college's "atmosphere" and the "lively and welcoming campus."
3. University of Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a highly rated public university located in Madison, with popular majors including Information Science, Economics and Biology.
One top-rated Niche review states: "Wisconsin is the best place on earth. The campus, the academics, the sports, the party/bar scene, UW has the perfect balance of everything."
2. Florida State University
Florida State is a highly rated large institution located in Tallahassee with majors that include Psychology, Finance, and Criminal Justice and Safety Studies.
Reviews on Niche include: "Tns of raging parties almost any night of the week" and "some decent frat/house parties, weekends only."
1. Tulane University
Tulane is a highly rated private university located in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Local news site the Tulane Hullabaloo states: "While the university attempts to distance itself from this claim to fame through promoting Tulane's ranking as the No. 1 Most Engaged in Community Service, the motto 'work hard, play hard' is the unofficial student slogan."
