No. 1 Apple CEO Tim Cook attends one of the 10 colleges with the happiest students.

Your academic success in college is not solely dependent on your work ethic and study habits, as there are numerous other factors that contribute to success at a particular school.

The choice of college can significantly impact whether a student completes their degree. A recent Gallup poll found that emotional stress is the primary reason college students have considered dropping out.

A school with high levels of student satisfaction may be a good choice for prospective applicants, as there may be various reasons for students to be unhappy in college that are not related to their campus of choice.

Auburn University in Alabama has been ranked as the U.S. college with the happiest students for 2025, according to The Princeton Review. The publication evaluated colleges based on how strongly students agreed with the statement "I am happy at my school" in nationwide surveys.

Here are the 10 colleges with the happiest students:

1. Auburn University — Auburn, Alabama
2. Kansas State University — Manhattan, Kansas
3. Taylor University — Upland, Indiana
4. University of Dallas — Irving, Texas
5. Thomas Aquinas College — Santa Paula, California
6. Texas Christian University — Fort Worth, Texas
7. Washington State University — Pullman, Washington
8. Marist College — Poughkeepsie, New York
9. Emory University — Atlanta, Georgia
10. Angelo State University — San Angelo, Texas

Carolina Williams, a 25-year-old who opted for Auburn University over Yale University in 2017, had a fantastic experience at Auburn. She made incredible friends and participated in excellent organizations that offered her amazing experiences.

Auburn, one of the largest universities in the South with over 26,000 undergraduates, offers a diverse range of majors and activities. Students have the opportunity to participate in world-class research or attend some of the nation's top college sports events.

Williams stated that you can simply approach professors and inquire about their research, and they will likely respond positively to any assistance offered.

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Auburn graduates, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, often achieve success after college. According to Payscale, alumni in their first five years of work earn a median of $69,700 a year, while those with 10 years of experience earn a median of $126,100.

According to Payscale, more than half of Auburn alumni believe their work positively impacts the world.

Along with Auburn, three other public universities — Kansas State, Washington State, and Angelo State — rank among the top 10 schools with the happiest students. Public universities often attract students due to their larger student bodies, diverse fields of study, and affordability, compared to private schools.

While many students are content at public universities, others may prefer private colleges for a more personalized or specialized experience. Institutions like Taylor and Texas Christian have religious affiliations that may be significant to students' well-being.

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