Top 10 Pet-Friendly Colleges

It's back to school time, but that doesn't mean pets have to stay behind! Petside.com has ranked the Top 10 Pet-Friendly Colleges in the U.S.

To determine the ranking, Petside editors considered the types of pets permitted in university housing (allowing dogs and cats was preferred) and the type of housing and number of units included. Points were also awarded based on the size of the school, the number of years the school has allowed pets, and considerations made for any required deposits or weight/breed restrictions.

Did your favorite college or university miss the cut? Leave us a comment and make your school proud!

1. Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Florida

Located on the gulf coast of Florida, Eckerd College offers four pet-friendly, air-conditioned dorm "clusters." Students are allowed to have cats and dogs, as long as they are under 40 pounds, as well as snakes and fish. Students must comply with requirements and can't leave pets on campus during breaks.

2. Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri

Stephens College, founded in 1833, is one of the best women's colleges in the nation. Located in the center of Missouri, it shares the city with the University of Missouri and Columbia College. All students are required to live on campus, and one dorm is the designated "pet dorm." Spaces for pets are limited, but residents can have dogs, cats, hamsters and guinea pigs. Students must apply to live on a pet floor and follow policy guidelines.

3. Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, Pennsylvania

This liberal arts school in the suburbs of Pittsburg allows students to bring their family pets along to school and live in the "Pet House" dorm. There are some breed restrictions, but Washington & Jefferson College permits cats, dogs less than 40 pounds, small birds, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, turtles and fish. Other animals may be permitted on a case-by-case basis. Pets must be spayed or neutered, have been owned by the students' family for at least a year and registered.

4. Principa College, Elsah, Illinois

Located on two campuses in the St. Louis area, Principa College has seven dorms and university apartments that allow pets. Students at this small college for Christian Scientists may bring dogs, cats, rabbits, caged animals, and aquatic pets. Some of the dorms allow up to two un-caged pets, but many do have size limitations.

5. California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California

Caltech is a leading technical university and is the academic home of NASA's jet propulsion laboratory. And students can bring their cats with them on campus! All dorms allow cats, as well as small caged and aquatic animals, but rabbits and dogs are not permitted. Animal lovers can also join the Caltech Animal Team (CAT), a "club devoted to caring for homeless and abandoned animals, especially cats, who live on the Caltech campus and nearby grounds."

6. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The oldest and largest school in the Illinois state college system, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign allows students staying in the Ashton Woods housing unit to keep "companion animals" such as dogs, cats and rabbits, as well as fish. Students may keep up to two pets per apartment, and must comply with all state and local pet laws.

7. University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho

The University of Idaho is the flagship school of the Idaho public university system and also the oldest. Cats and birds are permitted in all of the university's four apartment-style housing buildings. Fish are allowed in all dorms. A maximum of two cats and/or birds are allowed in one residence. Pets must be considered appropriately suited to apartment living and must not be aggressive or nervous.

8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts

MIT is one of the world's premiere technical institutions. The school allows feline companions in four of the university dormitories as long as the owner has the written consent of their roommates. The cats must be approved by the dorm's "Pet Chair," have all their shots, be registered with the campus housing office and neutered as well.

9. State University of New York at Canton

SUNY Canton established its pet friendly policy in 1996. Mohawk Hall, otherwise know as the "pet wing," allows a maximum of 48 pets. Pets are permitted to travel freely in the wing while their owner is present. Dogs and snakes are not permitted, and animals must be spayed or neutered to live on campus.

10. Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Located in the Lehigh Valley, Lehigh University has a pet-friendly Greek system! One dog or cat is allowed to live in each fraternity and sorority house on campus. The pet must live indoors and not disrupt the activities of the house. The owners are also responsible for any damage or costs caused by the pet.