The American Institute for Economic Research named Columbia the 10th-best college town in the nation in the College Destinations Index for the 2012-2013 school year.
The study divides the top 75 college locations into four main categories: major metros, mid-size metros, small metros and college towns. Columbia ranks among 20 other college towns.
The study bases its rankings off academics, professional opportunities and quality of life, according to the report.
MU spokesman Christian Basi said the university’s academic programs differ from that of many other universities because of the classroom experiences as well as the real-world skills students learn.
“We have a strongly integrated academic program that not only gives students tools in the classroom, but also gives them the tools to be successful outside of the classroom,” he said. “We’re constantly looking for faculty who can bring unique but important perspectives into the classrooms.”
Missouri Students Association President Xavier Billingsley said these expert skills learned in the classroom then translate into professional opportunities for students around Columbia.
“Columbia has resources and opportunities for students to be successful,” he said. “We have so many resources for students to discover what they love.”
Basi said the businesses in Columbia as well as graduate opportunities at the university give students a place they can remain even after their first four college years.
“Columbia is a college town, but it’s a big community,” he said. “We have a great arts community. We have a strong health industry. The partnerships built between businesses in the community and the university are beneficial to students.”
One example of this hands-on professional involvement involved atmospheric science students at the university. These students had the opportunity to use a Mobile Weather Tracking System, the same used by the Weather Channel, to track storms.
Basi said this type of familiarity with technologies and tools used in the field allows student to gain more knowledge than those students whose understandings are limited to a traditional school environment.
“To have that experience when they go for job interviews, they can say they’ve had experience with that type of technology, not just in the classroom,” he said. “Those opportunities give them a leg up when they go to apply for jobs.”
Basi also said Columbia’s location in mid-Missouri also provides a prime location for students for internships and networking.
“Columbia is a fantastic town,” he said. “It’s a growing community and there’s a wonderful relationship between the town and the university. We’re also close to the metropolitan areas of St. Louis and Kansas City and we have a lot of partnerships with them.”
Because of Missouri’s location in the central U.S., Billingsley said the university offers a taste of the Midwest.
“The Midwest is the heartland of America,” he said. “It’s all mixed together and that’s here in the University of Missouri. You can’t beat it. I’m from the South, but it’s great to have the Midwest experience. It’s something I will forever be thankful for.”
Billingsley stressed the importance of the relationship between the town and its students.
“Mizzou is built on the connection between Columbia and the university,” he said. “The city of Columbia does a really great job accommodating students. It’s just a really great college town. It’s essentially bustling with awesomeness.”