Wheaton, IL, United States

Wheaton College may boast an impressive academic pedigree, but the reality of living in this small Illinois town is far from idyllic. With a meager population of just 55,000, the city offers limited amenities and a heavy tax burden to residents. The campus architecture may draw inspiration from Oxford, but the bureaucratic headaches are decidedly homegrown - Wheaton College has a long history of controversies, from dismissing professors over religious beliefs to covering up a hazing scandal. This insular, evangelical enclave is best suited for those seeking a cloistered, faith-centric community, but others may find the restrictive atmosphere and bureaucratic frustrations a bridge too far.