25 Best Greek Life Colleges – 2025
October 26, 2024
Greek life is a popular aspect of the undergraduate college experience. Joining a fraternity or sorority can be a high priority for many prospective students. And for good reason. Colleges with fraternities and sororities provide the chance to connect with like-minded students, participate and sponsor meaningful campus events, and create lasting friendships in a safe and fun environment. But, before we look at the best Greek Life colleges, let’s answer what is Greek life?
What is Greek life?
Greek life means that a university offers the opportunity to join a fraternity, for men, or a sorority for women. Students have the opportunity to 鈥渞ush,鈥 or join these organizations during their undergrad years. This system of recruitment is typically only found in schools located in North America.
Colleges with fraternities and colleges with sororities emphasize that joining Greek life contributes to a positive college experience. Students can create and maintain long-lasting friendships, establish a sense of community, and network with other Greek life members, even after graduation. Fraternities and sororities are value-based and focus on leadership, community service, philanthropy, and academic excellence.
As such, students in Greek life must often meet certain eligibility requirements to join. For example, colleges with fraternities and colleges with sororities require students to maintain a certain academic GPA to remain in good standing. Plus, students must also remain in good standing with the university, meaning no academic or disciplinary probation.
Of course, colleges without Greek life can offer these opportunities as well. However, fraternities and sororities are more specialized organizations with their own rich history of traditions.
If you are looking for the best Greek life colleges, then you will be happy to know that there are hundreds of schools across the country which offer the opportunity. In order to better organize this list, we have separated the universities by region of the U.S. We will also include the total number of chapters.
Let鈥檚 begin with the Southern region of the U.S. Luckily, there are plenty of colleges with fraternities and colleges with sororities in the South region. Let鈥檚 take a look.
Best Greek Life Colleges 鈥 South Region
| University Name | University Location | Number of Sororities | Number of Fraternities | Number of Chapters |
| 1. | Tallahassee, Florida | 21 | 33 | 54 |
There are over 7,000 students who make up Greek life at FSU. The first sorority on campus was founded in 1904, which means there is a 120-year history of Greek life at FSU. Within the 54 (inter)national chapters, there are four governing councils who participate in a wide variety of campus activities. Each association has a different method for , including both fraternity and sorority membership.
| 2. | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | 24 Sororities | 40 Fraternities |
Currently, there are over 12,00 students who partake in Greek life at University of Alabama. According to this stat, this accounts for 36% of the total undergraduate student population. University of Alabama is home to the largest fraternity and sorority communities in the nation, with regard to overall membership.
| 3. | New Orleans, Louisiana | 11 Sororities | 15 Fraternities | 25 Chapters |
With one of the oldest traditions of Greek life, Tulane has provided 165 years of fraternity and sorority programs. Overall, there are more than 3,300 total members across fraternity and sorority membership. Greek life members account for about of the full-time undergraduate student population.
Best Colleges With Fraternities & Sororities (Continued)
| 4. | Oxford, Mississippi | 17 Sororities | 26 Fraternities |
Ole Miss has a large percentage of undergraduate Greek life participants. Currently, there are about 8,700 students enrolled in the fraternities and sororities on campus. Among the Greek life chapters, there are three governing councils and two honor societies. To maintain in these Greek life organizations, students must meet certain academic requirements. For example, students must hold a minimum 2.5 GPA.
| 5. | Athens, Georgia | 30 Sororities | 37 Fraternities |
With over 9,500 students enrolled in either a sorority or fraternity, UGA has a large undergraduate student population taking part in Greek life. With an emphasis on service hours and money raised for philanthropy, there are plenty of opportunities not only get involved but also to make a difference. Additionally, there is an emphasis on academics, too. Almost 90% of all Greek life students have a GPA of 3.0 or above.
Best Colleges With Fraternities & Sororities (Continued)
| 6. | Tallahassee, Florida | 7 Sororities | 15 Fraternities |
As part of Greek life on this campus, there is an emphasis on leadership, engagement, achievement and discovery (LEAD). With a focus on scholarship, unity, and community, Greek life participates in opportunities to give back to the community.
| 7. | Auburn, Alabama | 22 Sororities | 32 Fraternities | 54 Chapters |
Greek life is a big part of the college experience at Auburn. For example, 24% of undergraduate men enroll in a fraternity during their time on campus. Plus, 43% of undergraduate women are enrolled in a sorority. Roughly, this equals about 3,200 fraternity members and 5,400 sorority members on campus. Overall, there are over 8,000 students who participate in Greek life at this university, out of nearly 28,000 total students.
Best Greek Life Colleges 鈥 Midwest Region
The Midwest is also home to many beautiful campuses which offer Greek life. Let鈥檚 take a look at a few.
| 8. | Madison, Wisconsin |
Between sorority and fraternity membership, over 4,000 students are enrolled in Greek life at UW-Madison. Plus, there is also an emphasis on academic excellence. The average GPA between all fraternity and sorority members is 3.533. The overall campus GPA is 3.527.
| 9. | East Lansing, Michigan |
There are nearly 5,000 students participating in Greek life, making up a large part of the campus community. Each organization, whether a few members or a few hundred, participates annually in community events. Some events are created with the goal to fundraise and others are organized to promote a sense of community and fun.
| 10. | Champaign, Illinois | 42 Sororities | 54 Fraternities |
Due to its large number of sororities and fraternities, it should be no surprise that Greek life is a large part of the campus culture at UIUC. With nearly 6,000 members, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved and make connections. As well, there is an emphasis on as part of Greek life on this campus, highlighting service hours and donations raised.
Best Colleges With Fraternities & Sororities (Continued)
| 11. | Athens, Ohio | 13 Sororities | 13 Fraternities |
Greek life at Ohio University was founded over 175 years ago and continues to be a beloved tradition. There are nearly 1,700 students who participate in Greek life. Students are held to a certain academic standard to maintain membership in Greek life. If enrolled, students must maintain an average 2.5 minimum GPA.
| 12. | Oxford, Ohio | 26 Sororities | 28 Fraternities |
*Plus 2 member organizations for the Multicultural Greek Council
Nearly 30% of undergraduate students participate in Greek life at Miami University, meaning about one-third of students participate. Members in Greek life are involved in community events, and many members also serve as leaders in their respective student organizations.
| 13. | Bloomington, Indiana | 22 Sororities | 26 Fraternities |
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With more than 8,000 students participating in Greek life, there are many students who choose to partake in fraternity and sorority life. This translates to roughly 24% of the total undergraduate student body. In addition, there are 11 multicultural sororities and fraternities and 7 historically Black sororities and fraternities on campus.
Best Greek Life Colleges 鈥 East Region
From New York to Washington, D.C., there are many more campuses with Greek life to explore.
| 14. | Syracuse, New York | 17 Sororities | 29 Fraternities | 60 Chapters |
Approximately 30% of the student population at Syracuse are involved in Greek life. There are certain to join Greek life, that students should be aware of. Additionally, admission to a chosen fraternity or sorority can be competitive.
| 15. | University Park, Pennsylvania | 28 Sororities | 42 Fraternities |
Greek life on campus comprises of roughly 3,000 members. On campus, students have the opportunity to participate in volunteer opportunities and leadership training and development. Eligible students are encourage to live in the campus , if applicable, starting their sophomore year.
| 16. | Washington, DC | 3 Sororities | 5 Fraternities | 6 Chapters |
To join Greek life at Howard, students must be in good academic standing. For example, they must have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher. Plus, they must be full-time students in good financial, academic, and disciplinary standing.
Best Colleges With Fraternities & Sororities (Continued)
| 17. | Columbia, South Carolina | 19 Sororities | 28 Fraternities | 13 Chapters |
With more than 8,500 participating in Greek life, there are many students who choose to join a fraternity or sorority. However, there is also an emphasis on academic excellence in Greek life, as well. During the spring 2024 semester, 20% of the fraternal community earned a 4.0 GPA. This equates to about 1,960 members.
| 18. | Harrisonburg, Virginia | 16 Sororities | 25 Fraternities | 32 Chapters |
To join Greek life, students must be in good academic standing. For example, students must maintain a GPA of between 2.0 and 2.5 (depending on specific chapter requirements). Plus, prospective students must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA to participate in formal requirement.
| 19. | Greenville, North Carolina | 14 Sororities | 22 Fraternities |
At East Carolina, students participate in many annual programs, including the Greek Council Leaders Retreat and Greek Week. To join a fraternity, incoming high school students must have a 2.75 unweighted GPA. Those enrolled in college must maintain a 2.6 cumulative GPA. As well, Students must maintain a minimum of 12 credit hours to remain eligible.
Best Greek Life Colleges 鈥 West Region
And finally, let鈥檚 review the west region. From coast to coast, there are plenty of options for the best colleges with Greek life.
| 20. | Santa Barbara, California | 27* Fraternities |
*Including co-ed
Greek life is an important part of the UC- Santa Barbara experience. There are approximately 2,500 students enrolled in Greek life. This translates to about 11% of undergraduate students. There is also a large emphasis on community service as part of Greek life. There are over 10,000 hours of community service performed per quarter!
| 21. | Boulder, Colorado | 15 Sororities | 31 Fraternities | ~30 Chapters |
With more than 3,000 members, the organization is the largest women鈥檚 organization on campus. Greek life provides special programming and advocacy opportunities on campus.
Best College With Fraternities & Sororities (Continued)
| 22. | San Diego, California | 17 Sororities | 27 Fraternities |
Founded in 1899, SDSU has a long history of Greek life on campus. There are over 4,000 members in Greek life, making it a large and important part of life on campus. Those who wish to live in a chapter facility during their sophomore year can request to do so, if they meet certain requirements. For example, they must maintain at least a 2.8 GPA.
| 23. | Los Angeles, California | 18 Sororities | 32 Fraternities |
Since its beginning in 1889, Greek life has been a large part of campus life at this university. Along with the chapters, there are two honors societies students can also join. About 30% of undergrads take part in Greek life at this school. This translates to about 7,300 students.
| 24. | Tucson, Arizona |
Total Greek membership at this university total over 6,000 students and has seen steady growth in recent years. There tends to be more members as part of the sororities than the fraternities. For example, in the spring of 2024, there were 3,991 sorority members and 2,016 fraternity members.
| 25. | Pullman, Washington | 14 Sororities | 31 Fraternities | 56 Chapters |
Roughly 20% of students participate in Greek life at this school. Recruitment usually begins June 1, for the new academic year. Greek chapter facilities are located and are privately owned and operated.
Best Colleges Without Greek Life
If you鈥檙e considering a college without Greek life, there are plenty of options for that as well. The best colleges without Greek life still offer plenty of academic and student organizations for chances to socialize, meet new friends, and share your interests with like-minded students.
| University Name | Location | Acceptance Rate |
| 1. Amherst College | Amherst, Massachusetts | 7% Acceptance Rate |
| 2. | Lewiston, Maine | 14% Acceptance Rate |
| 3. Boston College | Newton, Massachusetts | 17% Acceptance Rate |
| 4. | Northfield, Minnesota | 17% Acceptance Rate |
| 5. | New York, New York | 54% Acceptance Rate |
| 6. | Spokane, Washington | 70% Acceptance Rate |
| 7. | Grinnell, Iowa | 11% Acceptance Rate |
| 8. | Claremont, California | 13% Acceptance Rate |
| 9. | Kalamazoo, Michigan | 79% Acceptance Rate |
| 10. | Oberlin, Ohio | 35% Acceptance Rate |
In Review
Whether you decide on a college with Greek life or one of the best colleges without Greek life, you can be assured of a few common aspects. First, each college offers incredible academic opportunities. From top-notch lab equipment to lecture series, and experienced professors, every university on this list provides a unique and worthwhile educational experience.
Another aspect colleges with fraternities and colleges with sororities have in common with those without Greek life is that there are plenty of chances for student involvement. If you decide that Greek life is not for you, that doesn鈥檛 mean you cannot create meaningful relationships on campus. Every university offers student clubs and organizations for those looking to get involved. From academic clubs to special interest organizations, there is likely a socialization opportunity geared to every student.
We hope that you have found this list useful in helping to determine the best colleges with Greek life and helped to answer the question, What is Greek life? Now, get ready to rush!
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