Lexington ranked top city for students among others of its size
October 17, 2012
By Alex Lennon
Lexington has been named one of the 75 best U.S. cities and towns for college students by the American Institute for Economic Research.
This ranking, known as the College Destinations Index, was determined by evaluating 227 U.S. metropolitan areas with student populations of 15,000 or more.
For 2012-13, Lexington placed 16th out of 20 in the small metro destination category, and Louisville placed 20th in the mid-size metro destination category.
“UK succeeds when Lexington does and Lexington thrives when UK does,” UK President Eli Capilouto said. “Rankings like this one only reinforce that idea and the progress that we are making in our endeavors together.”
Jennifer Berkowitz, president of Proactive Solutions, shared information that provided insight as to how these rankings were established.
A number of factors determined Lexington’s rank, such as the student concentration, student diversity and degree attainment percentages.
Other factors included the cost of living, arts and leisure opportunities available, city accessibility, the creative class, earning potential, entrepreneurial activity and the city unemployment rate.
According to PRWeb.com, these factors are “evaluated using the most current data available 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, also on PRWeb.com. “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.”
