I am planning on creating a wizard character for the Wrath of the Righteous campaign but haven't been able to find any information on where exactly someone would go in the world to study being a wizard.
Would a wizard's college be something that every major city would have to at least a certain degree?
If not in a major city, where are they all located?
Best Answer
You can assume that any Large City (population 10.000-25000) or larger city should have a magical academy, but most of them arent famous enough to be worth noting. Most academies become famous due to their students becoming celebrities as powerful mages themselves.
Most known Capitals do have the academic settlement quality, which means the city has a place of study of some sort, magical or not.
According to PathfinderWiki.com on the subject of Magic Schools, we have the following:
Abjuration
Conjuration
Divination
Enchantment
Evocation
Illusion
Necromancy
Transmutation
Other Academies
Arcanamirium The largest and most respected school of arcane magic in the Inner Sea region, established by exiled arclords of Nex, focuses on the study of practical magic. Location Absalom.
Magaambya Founded by legendary wizard Old-Mage Jatembe, this is the oldest surviving and still operating academy in the Inner Sea region. Location Nantambu (Mwangi Expanse).
Spellcaster Guilds
Kintargo Opera House Growing swiftly and welcoming non-Chelish students, this Chelish opera house is building a dangerous reputation for fostering free thinkers. Location Kintargo (Cheliax).
Oenopion Fleshforges Strange new soldiers are alchemically and magically constructed in the experimental laboratories of the Oenopion Fleshforges. Location Oenopion (Nex).
Poisoner’s Guild One of Daggermark’s most powerful and notorious guilds, the Poisoner’s Guild is led by Tragshi the Herbalist. Location Daggermark (River Kingdoms).
The White Grotto is the premier bardic college in Absalom, a guild where one can learn the arts of using magic to enhance all forms of entertainment. Location Absalom.
Secret Societies
Citadel Enferac The stronghold of the Hellknights of the Order of the Gate, Citadel Enferac is one of the primary locations at which Hellknight spellcasters (known as signifers) of all orders train. Location Menador Mountains (Cheliax).
The Harrowed Society Based in the town of Galduria, the Harrowed Society uses the Twilight Academy as a sort of “ front” for their true purpose: to decipher the mysteries held in harrow cards, the traditional Varisian fortune-teller’s tools. The Harrowed Society believes that if these mysteries can be deciphered, the true secrets of reality can be learned. Location Galduria (Varisia).
Crimson Citadel The Crimson Citadel is the headquarters of the Red Mantis assassins, deadly and mysterious killers who worship Achaekek the Mantis God. Location Mediogalti Island.
(References of academies, secret societies and guilds taken from Inner Sea Magic.)