Entertainment
15 Best Shows About College, Ranked
Some folks love workplace shows, while others enjoy single-camera family sitcoms; no matter how popular, these genres rarely satisfy the specific itch that only college-based shows can scratch. To avoid making it sound more like an incurable rash, college shows are continuously popular among various demographics and audiences. Whether they’re more of a coming-of-age story or a surreal comedy, college shows have something for every taste.
Though many of these ten best shows about college are now over, their popularity endures, mostly because they’re, well, kind of rare. Most school-based shows happen in high schools with rebellious teens (Euphoria, Riverdale, the list is long), but college is often a much better setting for stories about finally entering adulthood, making them more relatable to young folks and adults alike.
15
‘Glory Daze’ (2010–2011)
The comedy-drama Glory Daze is set in the fall of 1986 and follows a group of first-year students at the fictional Hayes University who join a fraternity and dive headfirst into college life. Although the show had a brief run (ten one-hour-long episodes), it gives a glimpse of school life that’s equal parts smart and funny. Its title and plot might feel like an homage to the 1995 movie of the same name starring Ben Affleck, but there are no accounts of them being connected. Still, the show’s creators were probably inspired by the cult comedy.
Glory Daze follows Joel Harrington (Kelly Blatz), a straight-laced freshman who believed that academics would be his biggest obstacle. Life in college soon shows him that his fraternity is all about getting in trouble, throwing parties, and nurturing a community. Glory Daze evokes a nostalgic sense of mischief and belonging, uniquely honing a 1980s atmosphere and vibes; its narrative often leans into rivalry, camaraderie, and the universal awkwardness of growing up. Fans of era-specific college humor mixed with coming-of-age storytelling will enjoy it.
14
‘The Chair’ (2021)
Sandra Oh leads the cast of The Chair, a look at college life from a professor’s perspective. This offbeat, understated comedy follows Oh as Dr. Ji-yoon Kim, the first woman of color to become the head of the English department. The series shows her troubles navigating her new position, as well as her love life, friendships, and managing the state of the entire English department. The series was co-written by Amanda Peet and produced by D.B. Weiss and David Benioff, among others.
Sandra Oh is always a breath of fresh air and one of this generation’s best actors, so her leadership on this show makes it all the more likable and enjoyable. Her comedic chops are displayed, too, which is Oh’s forte in a serious setting. The Chair was, unfortunately, canceled after one season, leaving all of its ambitious themes unresolved, but it’s still an enjoyable show about college life—from a different perspective.
13
‘Dear White People’ (2017–2021)
Based on the movie of the same name, Netflix’s romantic comedy Dear White People tries its best to tackle racism, adversity, and the college experiences of young Black people at a predominantly white Ivy League university. The show superbly gives the spotlight to amazing talent, from the lead, Logan Browning, and her character Sam’s quick-witted, headstrong charm, to Antoinette Robertson and her character Coco, who balances her struggles with appearance and belonging to causes bigger than what she looks like.
Dear White People is a clever and profound dive into the lives of Black college students, but it seems like its final season didn’t stick the landing. The famous author Ta-Nehisi Coates gave commentary about the first season for The Atlantic, adding, among other things, “it’s always hinting that there is something beyond the pleading and wokeness.” Coates’ comment emphasizes the troubles of the show while still giving it some praise for being nuanced and analytical; this combination of ideas and impressions still makes Dear White People a great watch.
12
‘Hellcats’ (2010–2011)
Hellcats is a CW college drama that combines the action and thrills of competitive cheerleading with the troubles of personal ambition. With personal journeys and interesting character development, the show offers viewers a glimpse into the often intense world of college cheerleading while combining elements of comedy and drama. Hellcats is known for being a lively depiction of ambition, teamwork, and college life despite having a brief one-season run.
Hellcats was based on the nonfiction book Cheer: Inside the Secret World of College Cheerleaders, and follows Marti Perkins (Aly Michalka), a pre-law student whose academic future rests on keeping her scholarship. She unwillingly tries out for the competitive Hellcats cheer team at a Southern California university to continue her education. Once there, Marti has to manage tough routines, long practice sessions, and the social pressures of college life while developing friendships and rivalries with her teammates. Along the way, she works on her confidence while trying to fit into the athletic and academic worlds.
11
‘Felicity’ (1998–2002)
The it-girl of the late 90s, Felicity made waves as a popular curly-headed, lovestruck girl who changes her college plans to follow her crush to NYC. This coming-of-age drama was not only very popular, but Keri Russell won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of the titular character. Another less flattering accolade is the national outrage sparked by Keri Russell’s decision to cut her hair in Season 2.
Felicity ran for four seasons and showed the ups and downs of Felicity’s romantic life, as well as her time as a part-time worker and student. The premise of her asking her crush to sign her yearbook and then deciding to change all her plans to follow him to NYU would be soapy nowadays; times are different, and this sort of move is unimaginable to many young girls. But, despite the plot, Felicity is still about a girl navigating life after leaving the security of her hometown to live in a large, chaotic city. It’s one of the best college shows out there and one of Keri Russell’s most memorable roles (if not the most memorable, let’s be honest).
The offbeat comedy Community may not represent college life accurately, but its elaborate jokes and niche humor make the typically, let’s face it, unfunny college setting hilarious. Community follows a group of people of various ages and backgrounds, forming a study group at the community college they’re attending. This show doesn’t make college more relatable, but it does do an excellent job of portraying unlikely friendships that end up being like family. When it tries to be wholesome, Community is all that and more, but fans of the show know it doesn’t always go for that kind of punchline.
It’s tough to say who’s the greatest Community character—from the inseparable, iconic TV duo Troy and Abed (Donald Glover and Danny Pudi) and the eccentric dean Pelton (Jim Rash) to the controversial Pierce (Chevy Chase) and the unpredictable Spanish language professor Ben Chang (Ken Jeong). Fans of quirky humor love Community, and if anyone’s looking to enjoy a college experience on TV without it always making sense, Community is the perfect show to binge-watch.
9
‘Blue Mountain State’ (2010–2011)
Blue Mountain State is a raunchy sports-themed comedy that depicts life at a fictional American university called Blue Mountain State with one of the most over-the-top football programs. The show’s focus is on football culture, with hard practices and Saturday night games, providing a setting for wild humor, sarcasm, and over-the-top college pranks. Blue Mountain State became popular because it was streamable on Netflix and gained a cult following over time. Interestingly, it had three seasons and 39 episodes, but it only aired between 2010 and 2011. It’s also, most notably, a show that made Alan Ritchson famous.
Blue Mountain State follows three freshman students: quarterback Alex Moran (Darin Brooks), running back Craig Shilo (Sam Jones III), and team mascot Sammy Cacciatore (Chris Romano) as they attend classes and wild parties, go through hazing rituals, and have personal adventures on and off the football field. Despite poor reviews, Blue Mountain State became a fan favorite for its unreserved humor and wild portrayal of locker-room antics. Essentially, it’s about friendship, loyalty, and getting through the ridiculousness of college.
8
‘Greek’ (2007–2011)
Greek is the ultimate teen college show that delves into the lives of college students and pledges to fraternities and sororities. With some essential 2000s fashion, a theme song by the then-it band Plain White T’s, and elaborate and dramatic plots and subplots, Greek is feel-good viewing for anyone who was a teen during its runtime. If anyone wants to do serious research about what the 2000s looked and felt like, putting Greek on and binge-watching it will be like an express train to the past.
Starring Scott Michael Foster as the “bad boy” of the show, Cappie, Jake McDorman as the trust fund baby Evan, and Spencer Grammer as the clever and ambitious Casey, their love triangle is the center of the story. Other side characters are often snarky, quirky, or misunderstood, but Greek allows them to experience a happy ending, too. Unlike some other shows from that time (mostly Glee), Greek holds up very well even today.
7
‘Sweet/Vicious’ (2016–2017)
The short-lived but highly praised teen drama Sweet/Vicious was often referred to as MTV’s best drama (though Taylor Sheridan‘s shows seemingly took that title since). The story follows Jules (Eliza Bennett), a preppy sorority girl, and Ophelia (Taylor Dearden), a quiet hacker, and their unlikely friendship. Ophelia defends Julie from an attacker one night on campus, and the two become friends; their bond turns them into a pair of vigilantes who take vengeance on sexual predators who walk around their campus.
While Sweet/Vicious is a teen dramedy in some ways, it’s more often dark and serious. The #MeToo movement sparked more open conversations about sexual assault, putting women’s voices at the forefront. This show embraces the conversation without ever being cliché or over the top, boasting some cool action scenes, too. Though it was canceled after one season and later revived as a comic book, Sweet/Vicious really is one of the best college shows out there.
6
‘Grown-ish’ (2018–2024)
The first four seasons of the spin-off of the beloved sitcom Black-ish show Zoey (Yara Shahidi), the oldest child of the Johnson family, as she embarks on her college journey, taking the first steps to independence. The fifth and sixth season shift focus on the Johnsons’ second-born, Andre Junior (Marcus Scribner), and his forays into college life and adulthood. The charismatic Yara Shahidi is brilliant as Zoey, the fashion and sociology enthusiast whose ambitions are mixed up with troubled relationships and difficult career decisions.
Overall, Grown-ish focuses on the college experience while digging deep into its lead’s personality and her adaptation to numerous changes to her plans. She’s supported by an awesome ensemble of actors, most notably Chloe and Halle Bailey (who also sing the theme song), and comedy regulars Deon Cole and Chris Parnell. Fans of binge-watching will rejoice in learning that Grown-ish has 105 episodes, with Season 1 carrying a 95% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.