The 30 most fun colleges in America

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College may be laden with papers, exams, and long nights in the library, but for many, it's also chock-full of raging parties, intense school spirit, and unforgettable memories with friends. 

To determine which schools have nailed the formula for fun, we looked at 12 categories from The Princeton Review's 2016 college rankings, including lists like "Party Schools" and "Lots of Beer." Since alcohol isn't the only way to have fun, we also included schools that placed on lists like "Happiest Students" and "Best Quality of Life." We then combined these rankings to determine which schools are the most fun overall. You can read the full methodology here.

Based on our results, the typical "fun" school is a large public university with a strong Greek system and competitive athletics. However, several smaller schools with close-knit communities earned spots on the list as well.

Read on to see which 30 schools across the US know how to have the most fun. 

30. Loyola Marymount University

Loyola Marymount University/Facebook

Los Angeles, California

Loyola Marymount's Los Angeles location puts students at the forefront of LA culture — not to mention prime access to the beach as well. The warm climate makes hiking, tanning, and enjoying the sun possible year-round.

The school also has strong showings in both Greek life and community service organizations, with students eager to get involved in their community. 

29. Gonzaga University

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Spokane, Washington

Despite a rainy climate, Gonzaga students find plenty of ways to have fun, both indoors and out. During the winter, skiing and snowboarding become popular pastimes, either nearby at Mount Spokane or further away in Montana or Canada.

Nothing's bigger than basketball season, however. Students race across campus and camp out for days to secure tickets, packing the McCarthey Center during every home game. 

28. Wabash College

Wabash College/Facebook

Crawfordsville, Indiana

Sports are a huge part of life at Wabash College — more than half of the student body plays on one of the school's Division III athletic teams. In return, the all-male campus exudes school spirit for both NCAA and intramural games. 

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