Missoula Ranked One Of Nation’s Top College Towns

The American Institute for Economic Research College Destinations Index recently ranked Missoula, home to The University of Montana, among the top College Towns in the U.S.

The index lists the top 75 destinations for 2012-13, including the top 15 among the Major Metros and the top 20 locations among Mid-size Metros, Small Metros and College Towns. Missoula was named No. 20 in the College Towns. Other towns that made the list include Ithaca, N.Y., Corvallis, Ore., and Burlington, Vt.

The AIER considers a dozen factors when creating the College Destinations Index, evaluating each community’s overall academic and cultural environment, quality of life and employment opportunities. The index uses data from the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, National Science Foundation and Small Business Administration.

“The characteristics that make up a great college destination often make a location ideal for business, retirement and tourism,” said Steven Cunningham, AIER director of research and education. “A top AIER College Destinations Index ranking should be just as important to the town or city as it is to the schools located there and the families and students attending or considering them.”

For more information about the AIER College Destinations Index, visit https://www.aier.org/cdi. View a PDF of the report here.