The Daily Beast ranks America’s happiest colleges

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Virginia
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<p>As decision time looms for high school seniors, The Daily Beast ranks America’s colleges using the criterion—besides academics—that students most value: quality of life. </p>

<h1>1, Claremont McKenna College</h1>

<h1>2, Harvard University</h1>

<h1>3, Pomona College</h1>

<h1>4, Rice University</h1>

<h1>5, Harvey Mudd College</h1>

<h1>48, University of Virginia</h1>

<h1>51, College of William and Mary</h1>

<h1>73, Virginia Tech</h1>

<p>As much as academic performance or athletic offerings, a successful college experience boils down to quality of life. Choosing a college can mean choosing between lush dorms or bunker-style lodgings; vibrant nightlife or stupefying boredom; food reminiscent of restaurant or a mess hall.</p>

<p>To arrive at our initial pool of schools to rank, we considered the top 50 public universities, the top 50 liberal arts colleges and the top 50 national universities according to U.S. News and World Report’s Best College rankings, as well as the 50 largest universities by enrollment according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Community colleges and online universities were eliminated due to a lack of comprehensive data. In total, 149 colleges and universities made the initial cut.</p>

<p>The</a> 100 Happiest Colleges - The Daily Beast</p>

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<p>Aaahhahaha. Too bad we’re all overachievers here and drive ourselves nuts for no reason.</p>

<p>Actually, I think, in general, most people are really, really happy here. Maybe the 6 feet of snow we received this winter drew the line for some…</p>

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<p>Interesting list. Looks like quality of life=living in California.</p>

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<p>Did the same site put us around the same spot for “most stressful” schools a few weeks ago? </p>

<p>Let’s make up our own rankings. The College Confidential UVa Forum Rankings.</p>

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<p>I am guessing that the research methods used by The Daily Beast would not hold up to standards at UVA–or any of the much lower ranked schools.</p>

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<p>As a Harvey Mudd student I find this ridiculous, they clearly weight % days sunlight and food/dorm grade far too heavily and do not consider at all many other possible factors. Harvey Mudd should be #5 on the most stressed list, not the happy list.</p>

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<p>While I agree with you Suin, I would say that the people I’ve met at The Claremont Colleges have been some of the happiest students I’ve met anywhere.</p>

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<p>I go to Claremont McKenna and I must say, the ranking is deserved :slight_smile: There are very very few unhappy people at this school. </p>

<p>I understand what Suin is saying. The workload at Mudd is intense, however, the nonacademic conditions are very favorable. This ranking was made to measure non-academic conditions from what I can gather.</p>