Top 20 College Towns – #2 Ames, IA

#2 Ames, IA

With more than 33,000 students, Iowa State University gives Ames the highest student concentration in the top 20 college towns. The school also draws a large international body of students, which helps provide a strong level of student diversity. The unemployment rate is low at 3.2 percent, and, as indicated by a high score for degree attainment among people aged 25-34, a large number of graduates often stay put. While agricultural studies are popular at Iowa State University, it’s not the only game in town. Majors include everything from aerospace engineering to women’s studies, and the variety of clubs and intramural sports on campus reflects a student body with diverse interests.

^{[Photo: ISU Alumni Hall, Wikimedia Commons]}

Click to see how Ames’ ranking compares to other cities.