Data

The United States of Universities: Which college students go where

Sarah Conlisk - Aug 17, 2023

It’s the middle of August, and that means students across America are flooding back to their universities. As they do, college towns’ cafes, bars, and stores will come back to life — and students will, once again, be taking Lyft rides to get to them. 

So, we wondered: Could we get a sense of different schools’ student bodies by looking at their towns’ Lyft ride data?

We dug into the last school year of Lyft rides, filtering for those that began or ended at a university building, dormitory, or fraternity. While we can’t comment on which of these schools have the best academics, or even the most school spirit, we did uncover some other surprising superlatives…

Finest Foodies: California Polytechnic State University

Trader Joe’s is the most popular grocery store for students to hail a Lyft ride to, followed by Ralph’s and then Whole Foods. Whole Foods, you exclaim? Which college students are riding to Whole Foods? The foodie crown goes to students in San Luis Obispo, California, aka California Polytechnic State University.

These schools have the students who are most likely to take a Lyft ride to a Whole Foods. (Prices are for illustrative purposes only.)

Biggest Fast Food Fans: University of South Alabama

Students and fast food go together like hot dogs and mustard. But which college students are most likely to take a Lyft ride to a fast food restaurant? Students at the University of South Alabama — for whom, it seems, the (taco) bell tolls. Here’s a list of other fast-food-ophiles — and their top brands of choice.

The figure shows the schools with students who are most likely to take a Lyft ride to and from fast food restaurants, along with their top restaurant of choice.

Special shoutout to the healthy students in Corpus Christie, Texas, whose favorite fast food joint is Smoothie King. 

And the sweetest tooth? University of Chicago students, residing in Chicago, Illinois, who are most likely to take a Lyft ride to Insomnia Cookies.

Biggest Book Worms: University of Chicago

Students from the University of Chicago were also most likely to take Lyft rides to and from the library. In fact, the Joseph Regenstein Library was the second-most popular non-residential destination for Chicago students, coming in just after Target.

Students from the University of Chicago were most likely to take Lyft rides to and from the library.

Biggest Nature Lovers: University of Hawaii at Manoa

Students in Honolulu, Hawaii are intrepid, willing to travel (on average) over 5 miles to get to the park.

Students at the University of Hawaii at Manoa are the most likely to take a Lyft ride to or from a park.

Biggest Beach Bums: University of San Diego 

The student body in San Diego, California is most likely to head to the beach, in particular Amtrak-Solana Beach.

The schools listed above have the students who are most likely to take a Lyft ride to or from a beach.

Most Loyal Regulars: University of Georgia, Athens

Drinking is a favorite college pastime, but which students are most likely to loyally frequent their local bar? Cheers to the University of Georgia for making Bourbon Street the place where everyone knows its name.

The figure shows the schools with students most likely to take a Lyft ride to or from a bar, along with their top venue of choice.

A special shout-out to the dedicated students of Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, who are most likely to drink on a Monday — at Louie’s Lounge and Laundromat. What better way to get your laundry done than with a cold one!

Latest Night Owls: University of Miami

Students in Miami, Florida are most likely to stay at a bar until the wee wee hours: 40% of Lyft rides from bars to campus occur after 2 a.m. 

Meanwhile, the earliest to bed, the sleepiest students, hail from Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota. Given the harsh temperatures during the school year, no wonder they want to crawl right back under their covers! 

Students at the University of Miami are the most likely to take a Lyft ride to or from a bar after 2 a.m.

Biggest “Herbivores”: Arizona State University Tempe

Students hailing from Phoenix, Arizona were most likely to take a Lyft ride to a destination with “dispensary” in the name.

Students at Arizona State University, Tempe were the most likely to take a Lyft ride to or from a destination with “dispensary” in the name.

Most Cinephiles: Augustana College

The movies are alive and well out in South Dakota, where students in Sioux Falls head to the movies with gusto. Believe it or not, they’re eight times more likely to hit the theater than students in Los Angeles.

The figure shows the schools with the students most likely to take a Lyft ride to or from a movie theater.

Coolest Fashionistas: Connecticut College

Students in Norwich, Connecticut (namely, Connecticut College) are the most likely to snag a Lyft ride to a vintage store.

The figure shows the schools with students most likely to take a Lyft ride to or from a thrift store.

Most Likely to Be in Leggings: University of Kentucky  

These athleisure-loving students in Lexington, Kentucky are the most likely to shop at Lululemon. In fact, over 20% of all Lyft rides to the Lexington Lululemon come from the wildcats.

Students at the University of Kentucky in Lexington are the most likely to take a Lyft ride to or from a Lululemon.

Biggest Pet Lovers: Shoreline Community College

Students in Seattle, Washington — particularly those at Shoreline Community College — love spoiling their animals with many trips to the pet store.

The figure shows the schools with students most likely to take a Lyft ride to or from a pet store.

Biggest Romantics: Norfolk State University  

Students in Virginia Beach, Virginia, are the most likely to call a Lyft ride to or from a restaurant on Valentine’s Day. Aww. Virginia really is for lovers!

The students of Norfolk State University are the most likely to call a Lyft ride to or from a restaurant on Valentine’s Day. (Prices are for illustrative purposes only.)