Where college students went in 2024

Lyft It’s that time of year again: back to school. Once college students are done unpacking their Target wares into their tiny, tiny dorm rooms, they’re ready to get out and around campus–increasingly, via rideshare. Over the past two academic years, rides going to/from colleges/universities increased by 32%. But not all students go to the same places. Some love to hit the gym; others, fast food joints. Some spend their time admiring art; others, getting a pint. Lyft dug into its data to figure out which schools’ students are most likely to hit different kinds of destinations. Did your school make the list? See the 2024 rankings below. Biggest nature lovers: San Diego State University Lyft San Diego students clearly scarfed some energy bars this year: Over 10%of all the students’ rides were to outdoor recreation spots, like parks and beaches. Most cultured: SCAD Lyft Some students prioritize drinking, while others seek to slake their thirst for culture, like the artsy students at the Savannah College of Art and Design: A whopping 30% of all their rides go to galleries. (To compare, students in the second spot, at Santa Monica College, go half as much.) Most dedicated bar-hoppers: University of Florida, Levin Lyft The students at the University of Florida, Levin toasted their way to the top spot this year, with over 46% of their rides to/from a bar. Cheers to you, Gators! Biggest fast food fans: Alabama A&M University Lyft A&M took the (Burger King) crown: Over 26.4% of all rides to/from the school were to fast food restaurants last year. Most caffeinated: Babson College Lyft The top five schools most likely to go to a coffee shop are all city schools: Maybe that explains why urbanites are so fast-paced. But of them all, the Boston-based, future entrepreneurs at Babson are most likely to get caffeinated–almost 9% of all their rides are to a java joint. Biggest gym addicts: DePaul University Lyft Which students don’t just hit the books, but the weights? According to Lyft data, it’s the folks at DePaul University in Chicago–almost 20% of their rides are to the gym. (Yalies, behind them, go 8% of the time.) Finest diners: University of Richmond Lyft While all the schools in the top five enjoy a night out at a nice restaurant (for all of them, over 50% of their rides were to/from restaurants), the top spot goes to the University of Richmond (61% of rides)–and it’s little surprise, given that these students are spoiled for choice. Most likely to treat yo’ self: Emory University Lyft The students at Emory University in Atlanta know how to take self-care seriously: 12% of their rides are to spas and salons. Hardest workers: Rutgers University Lyft Some have to work hard to play hard, and for that, the students at Rutgers University excel. Almost half of their rides are to workplaces. Hear that, recruiters? RU Rah, Rah! This story was produced by Lyft and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.