classement des villes étudiantes en france

Student life

01 June 2026

Top student cities in 2026 : the complete list to help you choose your city of study

Higher education in France includes around 2.5 million students, across all programs and levels. There are nearly 3,500 public and private institutions spread across the country. No fewer than 50 French cities each host more than 7,500 students.

In this article, we present the ranking of the 10 student cities most popular with young people. This ranking is based on several criteria: student density, available housing, overall attractiveness, quality of programs, internship and job opportunities, and cultural life. Without further ado, here are the cities that stand out!

5 minutes

Toulouse, 1st: innovation, sunshine, and a welcoming vibe

Toulouse keeps the top spot in the 2026 “student city” ranking, driven by its economic dynamism and cultural richness. The Pink City has more than 120,000 students and scores 78/103 in L’Étudiant’s ranking. It is known for being warm and festive, with a 98.73% recommendation rate according to L’Étudiant.

A European hub for aerospace and a cradle of innovation, Toulouse offers strong professional prospects, with employment growth of +20.63% over ten years. Its academic offering covers many strategic sectors, from business to digital, as well as the arts.

Students also appreciate its well-developed public transport network, generous sunshine, and 1,575 km of bike lanes. Housing remains “satisfactory” without being a strong point (€539 per month), but affordable transport and sports facilities help offset this weakness. Toulouse manages to combine economic vitality, quality of life, and a lively student atmosphere, all the more reason to start looking for student housing in Toulouse well ahead of the new academic year.

To live in the heart of this dynamic city, discover the student residences UXCO Student Atlas and UXCO Student Thalès, ideally located to make the most of life in Toulouse.

Rennes, 2nd: Breton excellence serving students

Rennes climbs to 2nd place in the 2026 ranking of the best student cities thanks to a dense and varied academic offering. With 20.8% of students in its population, it ranks 2nd nationally behind Poitiers, which helps create a lively and friendly university atmosphere. The city scores 77.5 points out of 103, just behind Toulouse. It can rely on two major universities and several renowned institutions such as ENS Rennes, Sciences Po Rennes, and Rennes School of Business (science tracks, social sciences, business).

Only 1h30 from Paris, the city benefits from an efficient transport network, with two metro lines and night services. Its dynamic environment is enhanced by many green spaces and a mild climate. A strong cultural program, supported by solid investment, also contributes to its attractiveness.

While housing options still need improvement, rents remain broadly affordable, at around €477 per month. The SORTIR! scheme, which makes sports and cultural activities more accessible, is particularly appreciated. Rennes also performs well on health and education criteria, and stands out as a top choice where studies and student life go hand in hand.

Montpellier, 3rd: the Mediterranean overachiever

Montpellier takes 3rd place in the 2026 ranking of the best student cities with 74.5 points out of 103, thanks to its dynamism, the richness of its programs, and its sunny atmosphere near the Mediterranean. More than 80,000 students are enrolled there, representing 17.86% of the local population. The city attracts students with a wide range of programs, especially in business, law, arts, and audiovisual studies, spread across Université Paul-Valéry, Montpellier Management Institute (MoMa), and the University of Montpellier. The presence of six “grandes écoles” and many research centers is one of the factors considered by L’Étudiant.

It also stands out for its free public transport, a rare advantage among major French cities, placing it at the top on this criterion. While housing options remain less attractive (average rent of €550 for a studio), Montpellier makes up for it with excellent accessibility, strong job growth (+24.40%) over ten years, and a comprehensive healthcare offering. Students particularly praise the warm atmosphere and energy of the city. Montpellier combines attractiveness, economic vitality, and international openness, consolidating its position as a leader in France’s university landscape.

Caen, 4th: understated but essential

In 4th place, Caen appeals thanks to a balance between diverse programs and economic development. The city welcomes 40,000 students for 214,000 residents, with a strong presence of prep classes, “grandes écoles,” and promising fields such as business, tourism, and civil engineering. It also ranks joint 1st with Nantes on the employment criterion.

Easy to reach and well served, Caen has a housing stock that is not especially attractive but remains affordable, with an average rent of €426 for a studio, and 50% discounted transport fares for students. Its dynamic environment, marked by very good air quality, 645 km of bike lanes, and more than 1,100 hectares of parks, contributes greatly to its popularity.

Local initiatives, low-cost sports facilities, and a generous cultural offering further boost the city’s appeal. 98.15% of students recommend it, praising its friendliness, energy, and excellent study-to-budget ratio.

Nantes, 5th: creativity and vibrant student life

Nantes rises to 5th place in the 2026 student city ranking, gaining three spots compared with 2025, thanks to its economic dynamism, cultural creativity, and a youth-friendly environment. The city has seen its student population grow by nearly 26% over ten years, with a diverse range of programs, notably in business, arts, audiovisual studies, and digital. It ranks joint 1st with Caen on the employment criterion.

While housing is considered satisfactory (average rent of €514 for a studio), Nantes stands out for an ambitious cultural policy with some of the highest per-capita spending, and for attractive transport: free buses and trams on weekends, expanded night services, and more than 1,100 km of bike lanes.

Students also enjoy many green spaces, a festive atmosphere, and good professional prospects. Despite a recommendation rate slightly lower than other major cities (84.62%), Nantes continues to attract students with its creativity, accessibility, and quality of life.

Brest, joint 6th: the spectacular entry of the “City of the Ponant”

Brest makes a historic entry into the 2026 student city top 10, jumping five places to reach joint 6th place with Lyon. With around 24,000 students, the Finistère metropolitan area also takes 1st place among mid-sized cities (more than 20,000 students).

This spectacular rise is largely due to the development of local initiatives supporting students, where Brest ranks 1st nationally. It also shines for its air quality (4th place) and an enriched training offer, notably in marine sciences, digital, and engineering.

The living environment is especially appealing: an opening onto the ocean, water sports (sailing, surfing, wingfoiling), maritime heritage, a laid-back student atmosphere, and a controlled cost of living. Brest is also set to become European City of Science in 2026, which should further strengthen its academic influence. A great destination for those looking for a nature-focused lifestyle without giving up a dynamic student scene.

Lyon, joint 6th: a student metropolis with national reach

The “Capital of Gaul” holds onto 6th place, now shared with Brest, thanks to the diversity and excellence of its programs. With nearly 180,000 students, the city offers a wide range of courses, supported by 71 prep classes and “grandes écoles,” a record among the cities in the ranking.

Its economic dynamism, driven by a 31.95% increase in student numbers over ten years, strongly contributes to its attractiveness. While housing is Lyon’s weak point (average rent of €644 and strong rental pressure, with an increase still noticeable in 2026), the city, located 1h30 from Geneva, makes up for it with a very rich cultural life, notably thanks to the Student Culture Pass, advantageous public transport, and an environment that blends heritage, hills, and rivers.

With a recommendation rate of 83.33%, Lyon confirms its status as a student capital that combines academic ambition, cultural life, and quality of life.

Angers, joint 8th: the students’ favorite makes a comeback

Angers returns to the 2026 student city top 10, reaching joint 8th place with Dijon, after being 11th in 2025. The city earns solid scores across all criteria: 9/10 for attractiveness, 14.5/20 for education, 18.5/30 for student life, 20/33 for living environment, and 8/10 for employment.

Beyond the overall ranking, Angers remains the top favorite in L’Étudiant’s “students’ favorite city” list, with 98.61% recommendations in 2025, ahead of Strasbourg and Toulouse. This loyalty is even more remarkable given the city’s friendly atmosphere, human scale, and balance between urban life and nature.

The city welcomes a diverse student population around the University of Angers, ESSCA, ESEO, and UCO, with a strong offering in business, science, health, and digital. The cost of living remains manageable for those who plan their housing search in advance.

Dijon, joint 8th: the Burgundy capital enters the top 10

Dijon also enters the 2026 student city top 10, gaining three places compared with 2025 to join Angers in joint 8th position. Capital of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, the “city of a hundred bell towers” welcomes more than 33,000 students and boasts rich heritage, including the Climats of Burgundy listed by UNESCO and the International City of Gastronomy and Wine.

The city attracts students thanks to the diversity of its programs, spread across the University of Burgundy, Sciences Po Dijon (European studies campus), the Burgundy School of Business, and AgroSup Dijon. This offering is complemented by a network of engineering schools and recognized art programs.

With a controlled cost of living, an efficient tram network, many green spaces, and a dynamic cultural scene, Dijon offers a balanced student environment. Its proximity to Paris (1h35 by TGV) and Lyon (1h40) is also a significant advantage for internships and professional integration. The average rent for a studio in Dijon is €466.

Bordeaux, 10th: the “Pearl of Aquitaine” rounds out the top 10

Bordeaux climbs one place in the 2026 student city ranking to secure 10th place overall. The Gironde metropolis, home to more than 90,000 students, stands out for the quality of its programs and the international appeal of its university ecosystem (University of Bordeaux, KEDGE Business School, Sciences Po Bordeaux, INSEEC, ENSEIRB-MATMECA, and more).

The city has seen its student population increase by more than 30% over ten years, a sign of strong attractiveness. Bordeaux invests in culture, with a policy of significant investment praised by L’Étudiant, and benefits from outstanding UNESCO heritage. The mild oceanic climate and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean also attract many students.

The main weakness remains housing: high rental pressure and high rents, in a market that has tightened as the city has grown. The metropolis has announced a plan to double its supply by 2030 to better meet student demand. With a recommendation rate of 87.50%, Bordeaux remains a safe choice for students looking for a premium living environment. Expect around €616 for the average rent of a home in Bordeaux.

How to choose your study city based on your student profile

Here are a few practical guidelines to help you decide:

Is budget your top priority? Consider Brest, Caen, or Dijon: controlled rents, subsidized transport, and accessible student life. These cities offer a finances-to-studies balance that can be hard to find in large metropolitan areas. Beyond the top 10, Limoges (€403), Troyes (€406), and Saint-Étienne (€408) remain the least expensive cities in the 2026 ranking.

Do you want to enter the job market quickly? Toulouse and Montpellier show the strongest job growth in France (+20% to +24% over 10 years). Toulouse’s economic ecosystem (aerospace, space) and Montpellier’s (digital, health) make it easier to gain experience early on, starting with internships. Caen and Nantes rank joint 1st on the employment criterion in 2026.

Do you want to study in a large metropolis without paying the highest price? Lyon combines national reach and diverse programs, without the extreme constraints of Paris. However, expect higher housing costs (€609/month). Do not forget to check available financial aid to reduce the overall cost.

FAQ: frequently asked questions

How is the student city ranking established ?

For this ranking, we relied on L’Étudiant’s 2026 ranking (21st edition), which evaluates 50 French cities with more than 7,500 students using 12 ranking criteria grouped into 5 families: attractiveness, education, student life, living environment, and employment. The data comes from public sources (INSEE, Ministry of Higher Education, CROUS, LocService, Atmo France, etc.) and a questionnaire sent to cities. The 2026 edition includes, for the first time, a criterion on accessibility for people with disabilities. Each city receives a total score out of 103 points.

Which criteria should you use to choose where to study ?

Key criteria to consider include: housing cost (average studio rent), the range and quality of programs, local job opportunities, the reliability of public transport, and the city’s overall atmosphere. L’Étudiant’s ranking aggregates these indicators for 50 French cities, providing a solid basis for comparison.

What are the best student cities in France in 2026 ?

According to L’Étudiant’s 2026 ranking, the top 10 is made up of Toulouse, Rennes, Montpellier, Caen, Nantes, Brest and Lyon (joint 6th), Angers and Dijon (joint 8th), and Bordeaux. For the first time, Western France places five cities in the top 10: Rennes, Caen, Nantes, Brest, and Angers.

Which city offers the best student lifestyle?

Toulouse tops the overall 2026 ranking for the second year in a row, with 78 points out of 103. It appeals thanks to its dynamism, friendly atmosphere, high recommendation rate (98.73%), and a well-balanced student offering combining quality of life, education, and employment.

Which cities are the safest for students?

Based on the feedback collected, Besançon, Caen, and Angers are perceived as safe and offer a calm environment that is conducive to studying.

Which city has the most students in France?

Paris remains number one with around 819,000 students enrolled across its wider metropolitan area. It is followed by the Lyon metropolitan area (nearly 180,000) and Toulouse (more than 120,000).

What is the most affordable student city?

Limoges is the most affordable city in the 2026 ranking, with an average studio rent of €403, charges included, ahead of Troyes (€406) and Saint-Étienne (€408). More broadly, 13 cities in the ranking offer studios at under €450/month, making them relevant choices for students on a tight budget.

Which cities are the most student-friendly?

Cities such as Angers, Strasbourg, Toulouse, and Caen stand out for their high satisfaction rates, the value of their infrastructure, and their friendly atmosphere.

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