Madison, Wisconsin, was ranked as one of the best college towns in the US. Sandra Foyt/Shutterstock College towns can significantly impact the student experience. WalletHub analyzed over 400 US cities based on affordability, social scene, and academics. Top college towns include Austin, Texas; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Madison, Wisconsin. When choosing a college or university to attend, location can be just as important as academics for some students. The communities immediately surrounding col