17 Underrated College Towns You'll Want To Move To
17. Carbondale, Illinois – Southern Illinois University
Tucked into the edge of the Shawnee National Forest, Carbondale is a nature lover’s dream with an academic twist. Home to Southern Illinois University, this southern Illinois gem offers affordability, a welcoming vibe, and access to some of the Midwest’s most underrated hiking, climbing, and paddling spots. There’s a quirky charm to the local music scene and plenty of farm-to-table eateries cropping up around town. What it lacks in polish, Carbondale makes up for in character—a little wild, a little weird, and endlessly welcoming to students looking for an offbeat but inspiring place to call home.
