Which colleges have the biggest fan base?

Hey, just curious, which colleges tend to have the most fans? Not really talking about sports, more like in general? Do bigger schools tend to have more or is it dependent on other factors?

The fan base of a college can often depend on a variety of factors, ranging from its academic prestige, to sports success, to the size of the alumni network. It's not just about the size of the institution, although that can be a contributing factor.

Large public universities with successful sports programs - both at Division I and Division II levels - typically have substantial fan bases. This is due to larger student populations and active college communities building loyalty over the years. For example, Ohio State University and the University of Alabama are known for their passionate supporters, largely from their celebrated football programs.

However, there is also significant fan base for smaller colleges and liberal arts institutions, often with niche followings. Schools like the University of Notre Dame or Duke University, despite having smaller student bodies compared to some major public universities, have developed large fan bases due to their academic prestige and success in athletics (Notre Dame with football and Duke with basketball).

Furthermore, Ivy League schools such as Harvard and Yale tend to possess large fan bases due to their long-standing reputations of academic excellence. Their followers extend beyond the alumni network, with academics, high-achieving students, and appreciative onlookers forming part of their fan base.

So while college size plays a role, remember that a strong fan base builds up over time propelled by various contributing elements: a history of sports success, shared heritage and tradition, or academic prestige. Each institution can carry its weight in popularity within unique circles.