The Funniest Colleges: Top Schools for Comedy and Humor

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The Funniest Colleges and Universities in the Country

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The Top 10 Funniest Colleges

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    1. New York University (New York, NY): Alumni include Billy Crystal, Aziz Ansari, Sarah Silverman, and the legendary director/producer/actor Mike Nichols (The Graduate, The Birdcage); PLAGUE humor magazine
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  • 2. University of California — Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA): Alumni include Carol Burnett, Will Forte, Ben Stiller, actor/director Rob Reiner (The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally; humor mag Seriously guys, who uses Wix?
  • 3. University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA): Alumni include John Ritter, Will Ferrell, Judd Apatow, and Lee Unkrich (Academy Award for Toy Story 3); a "Most Fun-Loving" campus; humor mag The Sack of Troy
  • 4. Northwestern University (Evanston, IL): Alumni include Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Stephen Colbert, Jane Curtain; humor mag Sherman Ave
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  • 5. Columbia University (New York, NY): Alumni include Kate McKinnon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Jenji Kohan (Weeds, Orange is the New Black); humor mag Federalist Paper
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  • 6. Yale University (New Haven, CT): Alumni include Demetri Martin, David Hyde Pierce, and Henry Winkler (a.k.a. The Fonz...); humor mag Record
  • 7. Cornell University (Ithaca, NY): Alumni include Jane Lynch, Bill Maher, Robert Smigel (all those funny SNL cartoons...); humor mags Cornell Lunatic and CU Nooz (online)
  • 8. Harvard University (Cambridge, MA): Alumni include Conan O'Brien, John Lithgow, and Greg Daniels (The Office, Parks and Recreation); humor mags Demon, Lampoon, and Nonsense
  • 9. Emerson College (Boston, MA): Alumni include Denis Leary, Andrea Martin, and Norman Lear (All in the Family, Sanford and Son; a whole major offered in comedy
  • 10. California Institute of the Arts (Valencia, CA): Alumni include Tim Burton, legendary Looney Tunes animator Chuck Jones, and Andrew Stanton (Academy Awards for Finding Nemo and WALL-E)
  • 10. Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA): Alumni include Ted Danson, Jack Klugman, and Albert Brooks; humor mag readme

Other Rather Amusing Schools

Source: CollegeXpress

Laughter on Campus: The Nation’s Best Colleges for Aspiring Comedians


Choosing a college isn't just about academics and career placement; for many students, it’s about finding a community that shares their sense of humor. Some of the most prestigious institutions in the country are also the most hilarious, boasting legendary humor publications and a long history of producing comedy icons. Whether you are an aspiring stand-up comic, a satirical writer, or just someone who appreciates a good prank, these schools offer a vibrant culture where wit is just as valued as a high GPA.

Leading the pack is New York University, known for its famous alumni like Billy Crystal and Aziz Ansari, as well as its student-run humor magazine, PLAGUE. On the West Coast, the University of Southern California (USC) and UCLA dominate the scene. USC is frequently cited as a "most fun-loving" campus and has produced comedy giants like Will Ferrell and Judd Apatow. Meanwhile, Emerson College in Boston takes comedy so seriously that they even offer a dedicated major in the field, drawing students who want to follow in the footsteps of alumni like Denis Leary and Norman Lear.

The Ivy League also has a surprisingly funny side. Harvard University is home to the world-famous Harvard Lampoon, which has served as a pipeline for writers at Saturday Night Live and The Office. Similarly, Columbia University, Yale, and Cornell all boast storied humor magazines and alumni rosters filled with household names like Kate McKinnon and Jane Lynch. For those who want to blend technical skill with creativity, the California Institute of the Arts has trained legendary animators behind Looney Tunes and Pixar, proving that humor thrives in every discipline.

This list is real and highly scientific. Learn more about where it came from here on our blog.

List produced by the Facts . Want more information on how this list was compiled? Find out more about where our Lists & Rankings come from.

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