Happiest Colleges in the US

There were more than 15 million college enrollments in the fall of 2020 alone. Going to college is an important part of a young person's life. It allows them to learn new skills and knowledge that they wouldn't otherwise have access to. 

It also allows them to have new experiences and meet new people. But what are the happiest colleges in the United States? What colleges will best optimize the college experience?

Keep reading and learn more about the best colleges with the happiest students below.

College of William and Mary (Williamsburg, VA)

The College of William and Mary will often appear high up on college rankings for the happiest colleges in the country. This is because this college environment is unlike many larger educational options. The institute has a strong focus on community engagement and making a difference. 

There is a large amount of race and class interaction among the students and teachers. The significant diversity at this school is enough to make it unique. It allows students to learn more about people from different backgrounds and relate with them. 

A more diverse school like this also means that your opinions will be heard no matter what background you have. Minorities are appreciated and respected as much as everyone else. Any contributions you make will also be valued and acknowledged. 

Being acknowledged is a big part of why students here are so happy. They can see that what they do makes a difference and that people care. This is unlike many other schools that may ignore important achievements. 

The school is also small enough (but not too small) to have a very close community. Many schools are too large to have this opportunity. This makes students feel very isolated and depressed as they pursue their education. 

But students feel supported by each other at the College of William and Mary.

The Details

There are plenty of opportunities for students to hang out with each other and meet new friends. The school also has a significant focus on helping the less privileged. 

Many of the students here are partners with nonprofit organizations and community centers. Many of them also help build homes for the less fortunate and donate to the poor. The college's positive environment perpetuates this helpful behavior. 

Students often come up with new and creative ideas of how to help others. The school is also known for its high-quality education. The school offers a variety of courses and specializations. 

The campus is also beautiful and a great place to study and get some fresh air. The college has a strong focus on protecting and preserving American colonial history. But it also has many modern features that make living and studying on the campus very comfortable. 

The school is also considered a "public Ivy" school. This makes it more accessible compared to traditional, private Ivy League schools. The students here are very friendly and upbeat. 

They are always ready to make a difference or do something exciting when they're not studying. This makes the College of William and Mary a great place to be if you're looking for a jovial college life.

Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN)

You may have heard of Vanderbilt University before, but you might not know why it's special. This university has reached the top of many lists regarding student happiness. It is also one of the few universities that students love attending. 

If you ever visit the university's campus, you may notice that most of the students are very happy. They have a spring in their step, and they don't dread every day of school like many students from other universities. This is because the quality of life for these students is much higher compared to students at other universities. 

The reason for this is financial support. Everyone knows that going to college is expensive. A four-year degree at a prestigious college may cost tens of thousands of dollars. 

Some degrees may cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. These student loans will take years or decades to pay off. They are also a huge source of stress for many young people trying to start their lives.

Many students have to work and study at the same time to pay for their tuition. This can put a damper on their college experience. But there is no need to worry about all this when you attend Vanderbilt University. 

This is because the majority of students who attend this school receive financial aid. This financial aid may be need-based or merit-based. Both options make it much easier for students to have enough money to get the education they want and need.

This reduces stress and reduces the need to focus more on making money than studying. The university also emphasizes making first-year students comfortable. Everyone knows that the first year of college can be rough. 

What You Need to Know

It is difficult to adjust to a new environment and a new way of living. All first-year students live on the Martha Rivers Ingram Common. This area consists of a collection of ten houses for new students to get acquainted. 

There are also many team-building games that students can participate in. Some friendly competition is a great way for students to get to know each other and make new friends. This ensures that students don't feel too isolated or lonely once they start attending their classes.

These ten different houses compete for points. These points will accumulate over the year. The house with the most points will win the Commons Cup.

This is a great achievement and a fun thing for students to celebrate. There are also many fun incentives for the different houses to earn points. These include playing sports or video games as well as other activities. 

These additional activities help make the university a more lively and fun environment. This level of enjoyment also helps reduce stress and allows students to better enjoy their college experiences. 

University of Dallas (Irving, TX)

Not many people know much about the University of Dallas. If you're not from Texas, you likely think that it is another ordinary school. But most people who live in the state know that this university is like a piece of buried treasure. 

This is primarily a liberal arts college. It also focuses on a few other fields. It will immediately impress any visitor with its 744-acre campus. This campus is full of green grass, trees, and many paths for students to wander. 

This is a great place to study since there is enough space for the students to spread out. They can study alone or group up, depending on how they're feeling. This school is often found at the top of many lists of the best colleges in the West. 

The campus is also home to a unique attraction: the Haggerty Art Village. This is a graduate fine arts program with features that are far more advanced and detailed compared to any ordinary arts program. This village is equipped with a variety of important artistic tools. 

Students can learn about printmaking, sculpting, painting, and more. These facilities are of the utmost importance for art students. Many schools don't have very developed art courses. 

This leaves artistic education with much to be desired. This also makes it difficult for aspiring artists to find environments where they can learn about new tools and techniques. Many aspiring art students give up on their goals because they can't find a good school to support their interests. 

But you won't have this problem when attending the University of Dallas. Its large array of artistic tools will satisfy any upcoming artist. Even if you don't know much about art, it will be easy to learn by pursuing an art program. 

What to Know

This school also has many other important courses and programs. This allows students to learn about humanities and other liberal arts subjects. The quality of life at this school is great too. 

Many of the students are upbeat and full of energy. They enjoy grouping up and studying together or going for a long walk across the campus. The campus is large enough to play sports or other outdoor games to keep students occupied when they're not studying. 

The campus is also a great place to seek alone time and reflect on the new concepts you have learned. The university is also proud to have produced some very impressive alumni. Many graduates became novelists, politicians, and more. 

There are also many extracurricular activities that students can engage in. This helps students connect with each other and reduce stress. It also helps reduce loneliness and isolation, especially among new students. 

This is important for giving the school's atmosphere a boost. Students can easily feel homesick or alone when they arrive. But staying busy and engaged can fix this problem. 

Making new friends and engaging in fun activities is also a great way for students to stay happy. 

Brown University (Providence, RI)

Brown University is well known for a variety of reasons. It is famous for its high-quality education. If you attend this university, you will come out of it with a solid foundation of knowledge. 

The university is also famous for its open curriculum. This is something that most other colleges have not yet attempted, but it is a big hit at Brown University. The open curriculum refers to a more flexible approach to education. 

There is no necessary set of general courses that students have to complete to get their degree. The courses that students take are instead more detailed and tailored. Students can instead take courses that are more pertinent to their needs and wants. 

This ensures that students don't waste time taking courses they don't need. It also makes the coursework more enjoyable. This is because the students can choose coursework that best reflects their interests. 

They can also choose courses that will benefit them once they move into their desired field of work. There is also plenty of room for discovery and curiosity. Students can take courses that sound new and interesting. 

This may spark a new interest and change their educational path. Brown University does not use the term "majors" when referring to degrees and programs. They instead use the term "interdisciplinary programs."

This term better encompasses the many different aspects that students experience.

What Else Should You Consider?

There are plenty of programs with a focus on business and entrepreneurship. But these programs are not strictly about business. 

They also explore related fields like sociology and economics. This ensures that every student has a well-rounded education. Students can then apply what they learned in the classroom to aspects of the real world.

This helps teach them what their efforts can accomplish. It can also show what works and what doesn't. It is this educational freedom that has Brown University students so happy.

They have opportunities that many students from other universities don't. Several advising deans can help students stay on the right track. These deans may give students important advice so they can pursue the most important courses for their needs. 

This helps students reach their full potential while keeping a positive attitude.

All About the Happiest Colleges in the US

If you're looking for the happiest colleges in the US, look no further than this list. Vanderbilt University and Brown University are two well-known examples. The University of Dallas and the College of William and Mary are also significant. 

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