#2 Ames, IA
With more than 34,000 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. Ames’ unemployment rate is low, at 3.5 percent, and has a high percentage of people working in innovative fields (10.6%). 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. For the complete rankings click here.
[Photo: ISU Alumni Hall, Wikimedia Commons]