SLO ranked as a ‘sought-after college town’ in the West, new study says. Why Gen Z loves it
San Luis Obispo is one of the top college towns in the western United States, according to a new study from RentCafe.
The apartment website recently released its list of the best college towns in the West in 2025 — and SLO landed at No. 7.
Home to Cal Poly, the city of 49,000 residents earned its spot “as a sought-after college town for students craving a genuine college experience,” RentCafe said in a Friday, March 21, news release.
The site analyzed data from 235 college towns across the country to determine the best college towns in the West and nationwide.
Here’s what to know:
Why is SLO among best college towns in the West?
San Luis Obispo was seventh on RentCafe’s list of the top college cities in the West based on its beauty and exceptional collegiate academics, according to the news release.
“It’s clear that Gen Z is trading ivy-covered buildings for mountain views, fresh air and an active outdoor lifestyle,” RentCafe said.
The apartment website said that Cal Poly “takes the crown for academics” due to its excellent programs and student outcomes.
The university is also relatively affordable, with tuition set at less than half the national average, RentCafe said.
SLO is surrounded by luscious green hills and coastal views that let Cal Poly students experience “stunning landscapes and endless outdoor activities,” the website said.
Where did other California cities rank?
Three other California cities also landed on the site’s list.
Stanford in the San Francisco Bay Area, earned the No. 5 spot and Arcata in Northern California came in at No. 9.
Where are the top 10 US western college towns?
Here are the top 10 places to attend a four-year university in the western United States, according to RentCafe:
Bozeman, Montana
Pullman, Washington
Moscow, Idaho
Provo, Utah
Stanford
Ellensburg, Washington
San Luis Obispo
Laramie, Wyoming
Arcata
Bellingham, Washington
How did RentCafe come up with its rankings?
RentCafe crunched data from 235 college towns to make its lists of the top college towns in the nation.
“The best ones? They strike the perfect balance: affordable, full of energy, and surrounded by amazing scenery,” the apartment website said.
The site looked at 12 metrics to come up with the top towns to attend college in the West. They included:
- Tuition and fees
- Cost of living
- Share of population with higher education
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- Percentage of students receiving grant or scholarship aid
- Share of young adults aged 20 to 29
- Graduation rate
- Air quality index
