Top 10 Least Sober Colleges in the U.S. in 2023

At top party schools like Lehigh University and the University of Delaware, students engage in binge drinking and can experience significant consequences.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that about 57% of college students aged 18 to 22 currently consume alcohol, with 38% of them admitting to binge drinking, defined as five drinks or more in one sitting for men and four or more for women. Teen drinking can be problematic for college students who are under the legal drinking age of 21 and at the top 10 party schools, the consequences of underage alcohol consumption can be severe. 

The following schools have become notorious for substance abuse among college students. Here is our top 10 list of the least sober colleges in the U.S.

Tulane University

Located in New Orleans, Tulane University enrolls approximately 14,000 students and it is known for binge drinking and college sexual assault. In fact, The Princeton Review ranks Tulane as the number 3 party school in the nation. 

Binge drinking in college is believed to contribute significantly to the sexual assault rates at Tulane. New reports indicate that 41% of female students and 18% of males attending Tulane as undergraduates have been victims of sexual assault. The majority of those victims reported being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the assault. 

University of Georgia

The University of Georgia, located in Athens, has a total enrollment of 37,606 students and is known for underage drinking. One recent survey that analyzed college nightlife, athletics and access to bars and parties determined that this university was the number two party school in the country. 

Athens has long been recognized as a high-ranking college football town. Students may engage in binge drinking at a University of Georgia tailgate party, as the survey also showed that athletics are an integral part of university life. While underage drinking may occur at tailgates prior to football games, students may also celebrate athletic victories at one of Athens’ nearly 100 local bars. 

West Virginia University

West Virginia University, located in Morgantown, is home to 21,155 students and it ranks as the second top party school in the United States, according to The Princeton Review. There is a West Virginia University alcohol policy in place to protect students that prohibits alcohol in the university residence halls, even among students who are of legal drinking age. The policy also states that students can be removed from residence halls for substance-related violations, such as underage alcohol consumption or public intoxication, even if drugs and alcohol are not consumed in residence halls. Students can also be referred for treatment if necessary. 

Students may also be impacted by the West Virginia opioid epidemic. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the number of opioid overdose deaths in West Virginia rose from 122 in 2014 to 618 in 2017, mostly a result of overdoses that involved fentanyl. Due to the availability of these drugs, students at a West Virginia University party may have the opportunity to experiment with opioids and the outcome can be devastating. 

University of Delaware

The University of Delaware party scene is well-known, with The Princeton Review ranking this university as the top party school in the country. The underage drinking problem at the University of Delaware is so extreme that there was a recent alcohol-related death and subsequent lawsuit. 

According to news reports, the parents of a 19-year-old student filed a lawsuit after the student was struck by a vehicle and killed after he attended a party off-campus. The judge ultimately ruled in favor of the university but it was found that the student’s blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit at the time of his death. 

A recent ordinance passed in the city of Newark, where the University of Delaware is located, which attempts to address the party and drinking problems at the university. The law reportedly enables law enforcement to issue civil citations to anyone who hosts an unruly party with four or more people when the party threatens safety or health in some way. 

University of Wisconsin, Madison

With 34,648 students enrolled, the University of Wisconsin, Madison, is listed at number eight on Princeton Review’s list of top party schools. Underage binge drinking is common at this school, and the city itself tops the list of U.S. cities with the most binge drinking. Madison Police records show their most cited offense was for underage drinking, with 705 citations issued in 2017.  

In addition, news reports state that parties at the university are common. According to University Health Services, their college freshman drinking statistics show approximately 75% of freshman at the university consume alcohol, which exceeds the national average. Police indicate that alcohol-related crime in Madison typically happens near the university campus and of the traffic deaths in Madison, 39% are attributable to alcohol. 

Lehigh University

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania’s Lehigh University, home to 5,047 students, is ranked the number six party school in the nation. In addition to parties, Greek life at Lehigh University is also associated with college hazing which often includes irresponsible consumption of alcohol. The university’s student newspaper reported that all 13 of the university’s Greek organizations were given hazing charges in February 2019. 

A typical Lehigh University party may involve activities that violate the university’s code of conduct for students. In addition to hazing, violations from the February 2019 incident included distributing alcohol irresponsibly, encouraging others to use alcohol, and illegally consuming/possessing alcohol. Irresponsible alcohol distribution includes consuming alcohol via kegs or during drinking games. 

Bucknell University

Student binge drinking is also common at Bucknell University, which is located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania and enrolls 3,597 students. The school is number five on the Princeton Review list of top party schools in the country. 

At Bucknell, alcohol abuse can be life-threatening. A news report urging campus officials to address the binge drinking issue on campus indicated that 42 students received hospital treatment for alcohol-related issues in a single semester. Two of them suffered from cardiac arrest. The report also states that there has been a 300% increase in sexual assaults on campus, with alcohol likely playing a role. 

University of Colorado, Boulder

The University of Colorado, Boulder, does not make the list of top party schools in the U.S., but it is known for drug abuse. In fact, in the fall of 2018, there were 5 reported incidents of students being drugged while attending parties. There is a neighborhood on campus referred to as “The Hill,” and the area is known for hosting regular weekend parties. 

With Colorado law legalizing recreational marijuana use for those who are at least 21 years of age, the campus has experienced issues surrounding this drug. Marijuana use in teens is still prohibited and students are not allowed to use or possess marijuana on campus. University officials are taking steps to reduce drug and alcohol abuse on campus by referring students to the Office of Student Conduct, and in some cases, to the local court for violations related to drugs and alcohol. 

Syracuse University

Ranked at number four on the top party schools on Princeton Review’s list, Syracuse University enrolls approximately 15,000 students. The university party scene is well-known. There have been published reports of students using a college fake ID to obtain alcohol, and some local liquor stores are also known for failing to ask for identification when students purchase alcohol. 

Student leaders at Syracuse have expressed concern that it is not unusual for students to be sent to the hospital for alcohol-related incidents such as extreme intoxication. Like some other schools on the list, Syracuse University’s alcohol policy to address some of these concerns and give the university a framework for preventing alcohol-related issues and potentially intervening in alcohol-related issues. Despite these efforts and a history of serious consequences stemming from alcohol abuse, some students continue to drink excessively. 

University of Texas, Austin

The University of Texas, Austin, is not currently on the list of top party schools in the nation, but it has been in the past. In 2014, The Princeton Review ranked it the number 15 party school in the country. 

Greek Life at the University of Texas, Austin could contribute to its reputation as a party school. Austin is also known for music festivals, bars and low beer prices, which all contribute to college drinking. 

Alcohol Abuse in College

While partying and underage drinking may be common at the top 10 least sober colleges, alcohol abuse in college students is not healthy. Some students may develop alcohol use disorders or experience significant consequences as a result of alcohol abuse. 

Signs of alcohol abuse can include developing a tolerance for alcohol, needing more and more alcohol to experience the same effects, and spending a significant amount of time obtaining or using alcohol. 

Students who are dependent upon alcohol may experience withdrawal when not using. They may also engage in dangerous behaviors, such as driving under the influence or having unprotected sex while drinking. College students who develop alcohol use disorders may fail to show up for class and earn poor grades as a result of drinking and recovering from its effects. 

If you or a college student in your life is abusing alcohol, treatment may be necessary. The Recovery Village has locations around the country and can provide specialized teen alcohol rehab to college students who are struggling with alcohol abuse. Contact an admissions professional today to discuss treatment options designed specifically for teen alcohol or other substance abuse.

Editor – Renee Deveney

As a contributor for Advanced Recovery Systems, Renee Deveney is passionate about helping people struggling with substance use disorder. With a family history of addiction, Renee is committed to opening up a proactive dialogue about substance use and mental health. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Jenni Jacobsen, LSW

Dr. Jenni Jacobsen is a licensed social worker through the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. She has over seven years working in the social work field, working with clients with addiction-related and mental health diagnoses. Read more