32 Underrated College Towns You'll Want To Move To

18. Ashland, Oregon – Southern Oregon University

Ashland isn’t just home to a university—it’s home to one of the country’s most celebrated Shakespeare festivals. Southern Oregon University gives the town its academic backbone, but it’s the thriving arts scene, walkable downtown, and mountain-framed views that make students want to stay. Bike-friendly streets, indie bookstores, farm-to-table cafes, and the Lithia Park greenbelt foster a slow, creative rhythm. It’s a haven for liberal arts students, artists, and nature lovers alike. Add in access to the Rogue River Valley’s wineries and hiking trails, and Ashland becomes the rare college town that feels like a cultural retreat wrapped in outdoor wonder.