For the 2012-2013 school year, Iowa City not only placed #4 in the ranking of the best college towns (populations under 250,000) in the country for college students, but also ranked as the #4 overall college destination of all 227 MSAs assessed in the American Institute for Economic Research “College Destinations Index” (AIER CDI).

According to its report, the “college experience” is about more than simply attending a top-notch university. The city or town where the school is located also is important.  Iowa City and the University of Iowa received high marks in multiple categories including research capacity, city accessibility, entrepreneurial activity, unemployment rate and earning potential.  In fact, Iowa City received the highest scores for earning potential and unemployment rate.

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