Top 25 Smartest College Towns in America

Smartest College Towns in America;-College towns are places where there is a vibrant and significant student presence in the people and the environment. Smart college towns have a workforce that is well educated and a community that enjoys and values the arts, culture, music, history, and science. We created a list of towns with noticeable college campuses, and using data from City-Data.com, we examined the proportion of residents over 25 holding bachelor’s degrees. We sought out college towns with a significant student population, a highly educated workforce, a variety of employment options, and access to community resources and intellectually stimulating activities.

We used Wikipedia, College Navigator, American FactFinder, U.S. News and World Report, Forbes, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to gather data for our list. We also looked at city and university websites. Our top 50 smart college towns were selected according to the proportion of residents who hold a bachelor’s degree. In cases where there are ties, the city with the greater variety of cultural experiences is given preference.

Top 25 Smartest College Towns in America

1.Stanford, California

It is not surprising that Stanford, California, ranks first on our list of the nation’s smartest college cities. Since Stanford is a US Census Designated Place rather than a town, it is home to one of the most esteemed colleges as well as more than 20 distinct research centers, libraries, and institutions. The most prevalent profession is postsecondary education. Residents of the Stanford region can visit the Cantor Center for Visual Arts’ several art galleries or take in a Stanford Symphony Orchestra performance. Thirty live millionaires and seventeen active astronauts are graduates of this sophisticated academic town.Top 25 Smartest College Towns in America

2.Sewanee, Tennessee

The University of the South is located in Sewanee, Tennessee, a tiny town in south-central Tennessee. The majority of the 2,300 people that live in the town are teachers or artists, with postsecondary teachers being the most prevalent profession. The Annual Sewanee Writers’ Conference, a 12-day gathering of poets, fiction writers, and playwrights, is held at the University of the South. Another annual opportunity for young orchestra members to learn from experienced musicians and conductors is the month-long Sewanee Summer Music Festival. Residents of Sewanee take part in a range of intellectual activities, such as attending lectures and different art exhibits in their neighborhood and on The University of the South’s campus.Top 25 Smartest College Towns in America

3.Princeton, New Jersey

The prestigious Ivy League Princeton University is located in Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton is one of the smartest cities in the nation, with noteworthy graduates like US Presidents, Supreme Court Justices, Nobel Prize winners, and Fields Medalists. The Princeton University Library, which has more than 11 million items in its collection, is open to locals of this lovely city. The Cooperative Institute for Climate Science and the Center for BioComplexity are research institutes. There are more than 20 noteworthy historical locations. The Tony Award-winning McCarter Theater in Princeton is a great place to go if you’re looking for some culture.

4.Chapel Hill, North Carolina

College students from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill make up about half of the population of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The UNC and UNC Hospital are two of the top employers in the region, and they both require a workforce that is highly bright and skilled. A graduate or professional degree in their specialty is held by about 47% of the working population over the age of 25. There are numerous historical locations to explore in Chapel Hill, which is also home to the Ackland Art Museum, which has more than 17,000 works of art.Top 25 Smartest College Towns in America

5.Boulder, Colorado

For workforce education levels, Forbes Magazine named Boulder, Colorado as the best city in the country in 2014. Additionally, Boulder has been on a number of other lists, such as Richard Florida’s list of “America’s Most Creative Cities.” The University of Colorado is situated in Boulder. Boulder is brimming with intellectual power, with approximately 30,000 students and over 90 research organizations and centers. More research funding from NASA is given to Colorado University than to any other public university. More than 30 distinct art galleries and more than 300 different restaurants may be found in Boulder.Top 25 Smartest College Towns in America

6.Cambridge, Massachusetts

Five colleges and institutions can be found in Cambridge, Massachusetts: Cambridge College, Harvard University, Hult International Business School, Lesley University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Between Harvard and MIT, there is a concentration of around 20% of the workforce in Cambridge. Cambridge is home to more than 300 distinct large corporations, including Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Microsoft, and Pfizer. People of all ages can enjoy the six branches of the Cambridge Library or the great outdoors at more than 80 parks and other outdoor attractions.

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7.State College, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania State University and Accuweather, the biggest private weather forecasting organization in the world, are located in “Happy Valley.” The single largest employer in the region is Penn State, which has nearly 26,000 employees. The Frost Entomological Museum, the Matson Museum of Anthropology, and the Arboretum at Penn State offer hours of pleasure for nerds interested in science and the natural world. History aficionados will enjoy the Pennsylvania Military Museum and the Mifflinburg Buggy Museum, while art lovers might enjoy the free Palmer Museum of Art.Top 25 Smartest College Towns in America

8.West Lafayette, Indiana

West Lafayette, Indiana, is a hub of intellectual activity. The university employed Amelia Earhart, Eugene Cernan, and Neil Armstrong. Leading-edge research is being done at Purdue on everything from the Zika virus to the safety of food and nutrition. Approximately 40,000 students call Purdue their home, and nearly 12,000 locals work there. In the Purdue Research Park, there are more than 100 technological businesses that offer considerable additional employment prospects.Top 25 Smartest College Towns in America

9.Ann Arbor, Michigan

The University of Michigan Medical Center, which U.S. News and World Report ranks as the best hospital in Michigan, is located in Ann Arbor. 12,000 of the 30,000 individuals that work for the University of Michigan are employed in the medical center. The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor also employs thousands of additional highly educated individuals in the fields of technology and biotechnology. On campus, there are many museums that promote an appreciation of the arts, architecture, and archaeology. The University Musical Society offers more than 60 different performance events a year to keep locals entertained.

10.Davis, California

The University of California-Davis is the largest employer in Davis, California, so it is not surprising that about 3/4 of the population has at least a bachelor’s degree. Members of the American Law Institute, National Academy of Engineering, and National Academy of Sciences make up the faculty at UC-Davis. The Bohart Museum of Entomology, the Explorit Science Center, and the Hattie Weber Museum are just a few of Davis’s intellectual hotspots.Top 25 Smartest College Towns in America

11.Notre Dame, Indiana

The prestigious University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College, and Holy Cross College are located in Notre Dame. Over 30% of the population in Notre Dame has a master’s degree or higher, making education the main industry there. One of the biggest libraries in the nation is located at the University of Notre Dame. The Kroc Institute for International Peace and the Kellogg Institute for International Studies both offer several options for science and research. On campus, daily research is being done in fields like engineering, fluid mechanics, business/marketing trends, and genomic mapping.Top 25 Smartest College Towns in America

12. Blacksburg, Virginia

One of the most highly educated workforce areas in the country enjoys Blacksburg, Virginia’s scenic surroundings. Blacksburg, which houses Virginia IT and several tech firms in the Corporate Research Center, is teeming with innovative concepts. Blacksburg takes economic development seriously and seeks to encourage company recruitment, development, and retention. Residents in Blacksburg can take use of attractions like the Smithfield Plantation and the Alexander Black House. At the Blacksburg Regional Art Association or the New River Heritage Coalition, art and culture are celebrated.

13.Amherst, Massachusetts

Students, families, and retirees are among the residents of Amherst, Massachusetts. Education is the largest industry in Amherst, Massachusetts, where about 70% of the adult population has a bachelor’s degree or above. At the University of Massachusetts, which has its main campus in Amherst, more than 9,000 students take part in volunteer work every year. The neighborhood provides a wide range of opportunities for intellectual growth and development, such as music performances, film festivals, and other performing arts. Residents actively participate in politics and economic sustainability initiatives, which creates a solid foundation for the community.Top 25 Smartest College Towns in America

14.Berkeley, California

The thriving city of Berkeley, California, may have made our list if it weren’t for the impressive number of people over 25 who had a bachelor’s degree; however, the university’s staff and alumni have won 71 Nobel Prizes, solidifying Berkeley’s inclusion. For residents and students to enjoy, there are more than 100 cultural and artistic groups. Civic Arts Commission, Public Art Program, Public Galleries, and a vibrant downtown Art District are all present and accounted for in Berkeley. According to the periodic table, the University of Berkeley is linked to six different chemical elements—a feat undoubtedly aided by the abundance of brainpower.Top 25 Smartest College Towns in America

15. Auburn, Alabama

The largest institution in Alabama, Auburn University, is located in Auburn. The Jonathan B. Lovelace Athletic Museum and Hall of Honor, Pebble Hill, The Auburn Community Orchestra, and the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center are just a few of the many cultural options Auburn offers to citizens and students. Management, business, science, and the arts employ about half of the population. The bulk of them are employed in social assistance, health care, and educational services.

16.Evanston, Illinois

At the highly regarded Northwestern University, more than 3,000 faculty members reside in Evanston. More than 90 school-based centers at Northwestern receive yearly research funding totaling over $620 million. Over 90% of undergraduate students were ranked in the top 10% of their high school graduating class, making them some of the smartest and brightest in the nation.

17.Iowa City, Iowa

Living in Iowa City and not knowing someone who works at the University of Iowa or the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinic with a college degree would be tough. Over 30,000 people attend the University of Iowa, which also does a lot of research. The majority of jobs in Iowa City are in the academic sector. In Iowa City, even American College Testing (ACT) has a location. The International Writing Program, the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and the Iowa Summer Writing Festival are just a few of the cultural events that creative writers will find appealing. Top 25 Smartest College Towns in America

18.Ithaca, New York

Ithaca, New York is a community with both beauty and intelligence. Distinguished institutions including Cornell University, Ithaca College, and Tompkins Cortland Community College are located here, giving intelligent people of all levels the chance to further their education. Artists, writers, poets, scholars, and educators flock to Ithaca because of the city’s unique atmosphere and stunning surroundings. There are more than 150 waterfalls in Ithaca, as well as numerous parks and beautiful scenery. The Community School of Music and Arts, with a 23,000 square foot facility, offers both performance and instruction. The John Hartell Gallery and the Olive Tjaden Gallery are great for those wishing to visit one of the many art galleries.

19.Ames, Iowa

The National Animal Disease Center of the USDA’s Agricultural Research Services is located in Ames, Iowa, and is the biggest institution of its kind in the country. Education is the most common industry in Ames, and Iowa State University is the city’s major employer. The University Museum, which is located in Ames, has the distinction of being one of the 10% of American Association of Museums-accredited museums countrywide. In 2010, Ames was listed as one of the “Best Places to Live” by CNN Money. Ames is undoubtedly one of the best college communities, offering a wealth of internship and employment possibilities as well as a highly educated workforce.Top 25 Smartest College Towns in America

20.Bloomington, Indiana

The city of Bloomington, Indiana, was ranked #12 on the list of the Top College Cities and Towns in America by the American Institute for Economic Research. While touring the Elizabeth Sage Historic Costume Collection, the Grunwald Gallery of Art, or the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, there are chances to “level up” and increase cognitive ability. Students and locals can visit the Asian Cultural Center and the African American Arts Institute to learn more about diversity. The WonderLab Museum of Science and Technology is great for families. Indiana University is a leader in the application of artificial intelligence to enhance healthcare.Top 25 Smartest College Towns in America

21.Corvallis, Oregon

The largest employer in Corvallis, Oregon, which has the most education per capita of any city in Oregon, is Oregon State University. Samaritan Health Services and Hewlett Packard are responsible for the job landscape being dominated by education, health services, and technology. The many art galleries, like The Arts Center and Fairbanks Gallery, are great places to sharpen your mind. Numerous hours can be spent exploring and learning at museums like the Peavy Arboretum.Top 25 Smartest College Towns in America

22.Moscow, Idaho

Some visitors might be surprised to learn that the University of Idaho campus in Moscow, Idaho, has a distinct east coast vibe. Alongside art galleries and exhibits, Main Street is lined with unique stores and eateries. This neighborhood encourages walking and contains a 65-acre Arboretum that is open to the public. The University of Idaho has about 10,000 students, over 930 academic members, and 1500 staff members working for it. This eclectic group of academics enjoys spending time in the state’s largest library, which houses more than 1.4 million books. In this sophisticated college town, art enthusiasts can enjoy galleries like the Third Street Gallery and the 1912 Center.Top 25 Smartest College Towns in America

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23.Columbia, Missouri

Our ranking of the smartest college cities includes Columbia, Missouri thanks to its ideal fusion of business and academia. The University of Missouri is located in Columbia, which is also a hub for the healthcare and insurance sectors. The University of Missouri Health Care, Shelter Insurance, and Columbia Insurance are the next largest employers after Mizzou. One in six people who live in Columbia work in the medical industry. The Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts, the largest venue in the region, and the University of Missouri Museum of Art and Archaeology, which has over 14,000 works of art, provide this highly educated community with plenty of possibilities to nurture intellectual growth and development.Top 25 Smartest College Towns in America

24.Madison, Wisconsin

In Madison, Wisconsin, education and government coexist harmoniously. The city of Madison has obviously embraced both sectors as the state capital of Wisconsin and the location of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Residents may really walk along State Street and see the UW-M campus on one end and the capitol building on the other. According to Forbes, Madison had the highest proportion of people with PhDs in the country in 2004. Festivals, opera, and symphony music are all enjoyable forms of musical entertainment for intellects. The collection at the Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research will impress movie fans, and those who prefer museums will appreciate the city’s more than 20 museums and exhibits.Top 25 Smartest College Towns in America

25.Mansfield, Connecticut

Mansfield, Connecticut provides a diverse range of appealing educational possibilities. The University of Connecticut and Natchaug Hospital don’t have far to seek for a qualified workforce because most people over 25 have at least a bachelor’s degree. Over 30,000 UConn students and nearly 5,000 faculty and staff members call Mansfield home. By taking advantage of the UConn Early College Experience, a program that allows students to earn college credits while still in high school, high school students can demonstrate their intellectual prowess. The Connecticut Repertory Theater, the Ballard Institute of Puppetry, and the Connecticut Museum of Natural History are just a few of the cultural attractions Mansfield has to offer.Top 25 Smartest College Towns in America