Madison is a bustling small town that boasts two college campuses. With its proximity to New York City, and a lively community-oriented downtown, it’s a solid choice to give you the best of the small town/big city feel.

Drew University‘s nickname, “University in the Forest,” is appropriate given the beautiful 186 acres the campus sits on. It has more than 2000 students, an independent professional theater, and a robust liberal arts program.

Fairleigh Dickinson University was founded in 1942, and in addition to its Madison and Teaneck campuses it has two international campuses, one in Canada and one in England. It achieved university status in 1956 and offers more than 100 degree programs.