15 best college campuses in America

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As the summer comes to an end, a new crop of college freshman are starting to move onto a campus that will become their home away from home for the next four years. 

For those wondering how their new college residence stacks up against the competition, Niche, a company that researches and compiles information on schools, publishes a ranking of the best college campuses in America.

Niche compiled its list using a mix of quantitative and qualitative factors including student campus surveys, meal plan costs, on-campus housing and availability, and access to amenities.

Scroll through to find out the 15 best college campuses in America.

15. Rice University

Tendenci Software/flickr

Houston, Texas

Survey on campus housing: 4.4 out of 5 

Average meal plan cost: $4,310

Student retention rate: 96%

14. Ohio State University

Facebook/osu

Columbus, Ohio

Survey on campus housing: 3.8 out of 5 

Average meal plan cost: N/A

Student retention rate: 94%

13. University of Wisconsin

Flickr/Richard Hurd

Madison, Wisconsin

Survey on campus housing: 3.7 out of 5 

Average meal plan cost: $3,032

Student retention rate: 95%

See the rest of the story at Business Insider