Top 10 Politically Active College Towns

College campuses have a long history of breeding political discourse and social revolution, as students experiencing their first taste of social freedom begin to learn how they can affect change.

The Draw of Political College Towns

A number of college towns welcome and foster these environments, where left- and right-leaning students and teachers come together to learn, debate, and contribute to the political climate of the area. These ten cities have emerged as hotbeds of student political activity:
  1. Washington, DC. An obvious choice for those considering politics, the area is full of opportunities to affect political change. Georgetown University provides students with leadership programs and courses to further their political development.
  2. San Francisco, CA. Once a breeding ground for student activism, politics still figures large into life in The City by the Bay. Courses at local colleges offer chances for internships and activism in the community.
  3. Cambridge, MA. This small college town gets high marks for being home to Harvard University, one of the world's most respected academic institutions. Many alumni from Harvard have gone on to earn important political positions.
  4. Chicago, IL. As with any large metropolitan area, the ever-changing political environment in the city of Chicago has a huge affect on the area. Local government speakers and politicians actively visit campuses to discuss important issues.
  5. Des Moines, IA. The nation turns its focus to Des Moines every election year with student workers canvassing the college town. During off years, activism continues in the form of student groups and political organizations.
  6. Raleigh-Durham, NC. Often mentioned in tandem, the cities of Raleigh and Durham anchor the region. Students at local colleges affect social change around the world through service internships and research projects.
  7. Portland, OR. Portland's unique regional government, known as Metro, is enough of a draw for many college students. Local classes in the ethics of leadership serve to increase the student push toward civic engagement.
  8. College Station, TX. Home to one of the largest universities in the nation, this college town is additionally proud of the George Bush Presidential Library, with over 38 million pages of the former leader's personal papers and official documents.
  9. Providence, RI. This college town boasts a number of progressive political science departments. Children and Public Policy is a popular course at local colleges, where students work closely with state agencies.
  10. College Park, MD. Proximity to the Washington Metro Area is only part of the draw for politically minded students. One university offers students the chance to participate in a living-learning program that encourages them to create civil societies.

College Towns and Politics

Whether students are considering a career in politics or simply aspire to be thoughtful citizens of the world, political campuses can provide a useful backdrop. Academic coursework, extracurricular clubs, and community service programs all introduce students to this dynamic and thought-provoking field.

Sources
Carnegie Foundation Political Engagement Project
George Bush Presidential Library