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How to use walk score when choosing a campus

A number that predicts, better than most, whether you'll need a car.

4 min read · Updated September 2026

Walk score rates an address from 0 to 100 on how many daily errands can be done on foot. Above 70 means most errands, groceries included, are walkable. Below 50 usually means a car or a good bus pass.

Why it matters for students

A car adds $3,000 to $6,000 a year in insurance, parking and fuel. Some campuses restrict first-year parking entirely. A high walk score also tends to mean part-time jobs and off-campus housing within reach.

Read it alongside transit

A 45 with a light-rail stop on campus can beat a 65 with nothing. Each profile's location section lists transit and airport access next to the score.

Sort the directory by walk score to see the spread.

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