College Ranker ranked Charlottesville 40th on a list of the “50 Best College Towns to Live in Forever.” The site provides resources on various aspects of collegiate life.
Every college town in the U.S. was considered for the ranking based on criteria such as local opportunities and activities, strength of local schools, economic health and family friendliness, College Ranker Site Editor Mackenzi Flannery said.
“Our team got together and made a list based on what we thought was the best option,” Flannery said.
All of the ranked college towns offer job markets for recent graduates. In Charlottesville, the University Medical Center and the Pharmaceutical Research Association are the top employers. Top-ranking towns are also culturally and historically active, exemplified in Charlottesville by Monticello, the art gallery and the open air pavillion.
Fourth-year Education student Laura Kelly said she embraced the idea of living in Charlottesville upon graduating, citing the city’s rich cultural scene. She said she is planning on staying another year in Charlottesville to complete a graduate program.
“I think Charlottesville has a lot to offer after graduating U.Va., and it seems to be a great family friendly town,” Kelly said. “Whether you’re a foodie, an outdoors enthusiast, an academic, a musician or a connoisseur of art, you can find a niche in Charlottesville.”
A rich culture and a thriving job market help retain college graduates. Scott Jones, five-year Charlottesville resident and Class of 1988 Commerce graduate, said the city is also conducive to raising a family.
“What we loved about living in Charlottesville is that it is not only a great place to go to college, but there is another side to the city that makes it a great place to raise kids and have a family,” Jones said. “There is so much going on, particularly for a town its size. There are so many good restaurants that its hard to get to them all, either as a student or a [town resident].”
College Ranker seeks to help prospective college students learn more about prospective college choices.
“Our goal is to showcase the best parts of schools in hopes that people who are looking for colleges will look at lists that relate to criteria that they care about,” Flannery said.
Additionally, these rankings can help college towns retain inhabitants who are economically and culturally vital. Flannery said the goal is sustainability.
“Hundreds of cities and towns hope to retain their students after graduation and incorporate their newly acquired skills into the local economy,” Flannery said. “It’s a competitive environment for attracting college graduates, and these 50 college towns have well positioned themselves to retain their local college student for a lifetime.”
Second-year College student Kate Maroni said Charlottesville is a town she would like to live in even after leaving the University.
“I would like to live in Charlottesville later in my life,” Maroni said. “I think it would be neat to be living in a passionate, scholarly community. The city has a lot to offer for all ages.”
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