Culture and Lifestyle School The South's Most Charming Colleges In Small Towns We'd love to take a campus tour at each and every one of these schools! By Tara Massouleh McCay Tara Massouleh McCay Tara Massouleh McCay is the Senior Travel and Culture Editor for Southern Living. A writer and editor with nearly 10 years of experience in producing lifestyle content for local, regional, and national publications, she joined the Southern Living team in 2021. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on October 9, 2023 Close Main Street (formerly Church Street) in Annapolis, Maryland, USA. Photo: Photo © Hisham Ibrahim / Getty Images Southern colleges are as diverse as the region they reside in. From giant state universities like The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa to world-renowned liberal arts colleges like the Savannah College of Art and Design (or SCAD for short), your experience attending college in the South can be virtually anything you dream it to be. While we love an in-city school like The University of Texas in Austin or Emory in Atlanta, some of our favorite Southern colleges are based in quieter locales. Often in these college-town communities, students drive the economy and make up a significant portion of the population. Here, the phrase “town and gown” describes a symbiotic relationship between some our favorite colleges and the charming small towns where they’re located. Here are 20 small towns that are home to great Southern colleges. 01 of 20 Boone, North Carolina Cameron Reynolds Home to: Appalachian State University Town population: 18,0356 We love this mountain town for its sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, slew of charismatic local businesses, and picturesque downtown that abuts Appalachian State University. The once-small school now has a student enrollment of more than 20,000, a winning football team, and a huge impact on Boone. 02 of 20 Annapolis, Maryland Main Street (formerly Church Street) in Annapolis, Maryland, USA. Photo © Hisham Ibrahim / Getty Images Home to: The U.S. Naval Academy Town population: 40,397 This historic coastal town is often decked out in red, white, and blue thanks to its standing as one of the nation’s oldest cities. No one goes to Annapolis without visiting The U.S. Naval Academy’s campus, affectionately known as The Yard. The 338-acre campus is home to around 4,500 undergrads. 03 of 20 Oxford, Mississippi csfotoimages/Getty Images Home to: The University of Mississippi Town population: 26,430 Mississippi is a state made up of small towns, and one of its most notable is Oxford. Home to The University of Mississippi, the town is known well for its legendary tailgates at The Grove, its incredible literary legacy, and its storied Southern restaurants. 04 of 20 Charlottesville, Virginia The Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, Virginia. Photo Credit: www.visitcharlottesville.org Home to: The University of Virginia Town population: 45,672 Thomas Jefferson founded The University of Virginia in 1819. Today, the prestigious public university anchors the town of Charlottesville, a modern city that’s maintained its small-town appeal even with new developments like breweries, restaurants, and boutique hotels popping up every day. 05 of 20 Starkville, Mississippi Rick Dole/Getty Images Home to: Mississippi State University Town population: 24,657 Football rival to The University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University is located about two hours south of Oxford in Starkville. With a student enrollment that just about equals the town’s population, Starkville wouldn’t be the bustling small town it is without help from the university. There’s a reason it’s nicknamed Mississippi’s College Town! 06 of 20 Sewanee, Tennessee McClurg Hall at Sewanee: The University of the South. Rex Hammock / Flickr Home to: The University of the South (Sewanee) Town population: 2,625 Winning the award for both our smallest town (it’s technically only an incorporated area) and smallest college, Sewaneeis best visited in the fall when the atmosphere erupts in a symphony of beautiful autumnal color. The university’s 1,800 students mostly live on campus where they have 13,000 acres of meadows, lakes, caves, forests, and bluffs to explore. 07 of 20 Harrisonburg, Virginia Cedric Angeles Home to: James Madison University, Eastern Mennonite University Town population: 51,430 Two separate universities call this Virginia town home, and both contribute significantly to the ever-growing community. From gorgeous hikes in Shenandoah National Park to family-owned cideries and hip brunch spots, there’s plenty to explore in Harrisonburg. 08 of 20 College Park, Maryland sframephoto / Getty Images Home to: University of Maryland, College Park Town population: 35,110 In this case, the name says it all. Located just 40 minutes from Washington D.C., College Park’s charming downtown is filled plenty of local shops, restaurants, and bars. Other things to check out include a vibrant art scene, the beautiful Lake Artemesia, and of course the University of Maryland’s sprawling campus. 09 of 20 Morgantown, West Virginia Morgantown, West Virginia. jmd41280 / Flickr Home to: West Virginia University Town population: 29,219 Enjoy the gorgeous natural surroundings in this quaint West Virginia mountain town that’s home to the state’s pride and joy, the West Virginia Mountaineers. This town is all about two things: outdoor recreation and Appalachian culture. It’s easy to experience both with a hike to Coopers Rock and a trip to Appalachian Sound Culture, a popular venue where you can hear live Appalachian music. 10 of 20 Auburn, Alabama Auburn University in Alabama. Auburn University Home to: Auburn University Town population: 78,564 Nicknamed the “Loveliest Village on the Plains,” Auburn is an incredibly tight-knit community. After all, there’s a reason the University touts its alumni as all being members of the Auburn family. Downtown Auburn abuts the well-groomed campus, so you won’t have to travel far to see the familiar orange-and-blue spirit the town is known for. Just don’t forget to stop for a lemonade at Toomer’s Drugs, an Auburn tradition since 1896. 11 of 20 Davidson, North Carolina Courtesy of the Town of Davidson Home to: Davidson College Town population: 15,106 This pedestrian- and bike-friendly town is hugely influenced by Davidson College, which was founded alongside the town in 1837. Stroll down the Hallmark-esque Main Street, where flower boxes and striped awnings mark local restaurants, boutiques, and shops. Don’t leave Davidson without spending some time on nearby Lake Norman. 12 of 20 Clemson, South Carolina Tilman Hall at Clemson University. Angie Yates / Flickr Home to: Clemson University Town population: 17,986 Football may be first to come to mind when you think of this upstate South Carolina town, but Clemson has much more than just the Tigers to be proud of. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the edge of Lake Hartwell, Clemson offers plenty of natural beauty to admire. For a true taste of the town’s spirit, head to the iconic Esso Club, a Clemson tradition since 1933 that’s packed with purple-and-orange memorabilia. 13 of 20 Williamsburg, Virginia Dennis Johnson/Getty Images Home to: The College of William & Mary Town population: 15,590 The colonial charm of Williamsburg is known round the world. People come from all over to see the horse-drawn carriages, cobblestone streets lined with sprawling oak trees, and stately colonial buildings. If you visit, you’ll also want to take a peek at historic William & Mary College, the second-oldest higher education institute in the country. 14 of 20 St. Augustine, Florida Flagler College - Ponce de Leon Hall. Photo by Allen Grove Home to: Flagler College Town population: 14,581 Voted as our South’s Best Small Town in 2023, St. Augustine is pure Florida paradise. One of America’s oldest towns, St. Augustine is home to Flagler College, a historic campus marked by ornate Spanish Renaissance buildings that were once Gilded Age hotels. 15 of 20 Beaufort, South Carolina Robbie Caponetto Home to: University of South Carolina Beaufort Town population: 12,960 It doesn’t get any dreamier than Beaufort, an idyllic waterfront town deep in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. Folks have recently begun getting keyed in on this location’s charm, but you may not know that the town is also home to the University of South Carolina Beaufort, a small, public university that enrolls around 2,000 students. 16 of 20 Rome, Georgia RobHainer / Getty Images Home to: Berry College Town population: 37,746 Gorgeous forests, lakes, and mountains gives students at Berry College a great view when they look up from their books. And "pastoral" isn't just a catchphrase at Berry; the college raises dairy and angus cows, as well as other animals. Outside of the beautiful natural surroundings, you’ll want to spend time around Broad Street, where Rome’s downtown comes alive with hip restaurants, old-fashioned bakeries, and specialty shops. 17 of 20 Elon, North Carolina Carlton at Elon University. Photo Credit: Allen Grove Home to: Elon University Town population: 11,350 Once a small university town, Elon has grown up over the past 10 years and now boasts a bustling main street filled with lively eateries, boutique shopping, and more. The campus itself is a great place to explore; the 656-acre space is designated as a botanical garden. And at only 45 minutes from Durham, it’s an easy day trip to visit the Triangle. 18 of 20 Spartanburg, South Carolina DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images Home to: Wofford College Town population: 38,401 This upstate South Carolina spot has all the makings of great small town—a lively downtown, plenty of paved trails, a thriving food scene, and easy access to nature preserves, lakes, and forests. Its university, the historic Wofford College features 175 acres designated as a national arboretum and was founded in 1854 prior to the Civil War. 19 of 20 Florence, Alabama Cliff Billingsley/Getty Images Home to: University of North Alabama Town population: 39,933 Part of the iconic Shoals community of North Alabama, Florence is known for its incredible music history that produced artists like W.C. Handy, Sam Phillips, and the like. Stroll the historic streets lined with Victorian and colonial-style homes, then make your way to downtown Florence for shopping and dining at modern businesses. 20 of 20 Winter Park, Florida Scott Cook/Rollins College Home to: Rollins College Town population: 29,131 Though it’s just down the road from tourist-laden Orlando, Winter Park feels worlds away. The 10-square-mile town is known for its outstanding dining scene, scenic waterfront (thanks to a collection of connected canals leading to six lakes), and host of cultural activities emanating from Rollins College. The small liberal arts college has been based here since 1885. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit