America's top college towns

When it comes to the dimensions of a city's attractiveness, like quality of life, economic climate, and demographics, Boulder, Colorado, wins out among the competition, according to the American Institute for Economic Research.

The top-ranked college town has about 200,000 residents in its metro area population, and earned the top spot thanks to its accessibility - more than 20% of commuters take public transportation or cycle around Boulder Creek Corridor - and diverse and educated population. Boulder also has an active bar-and-restaurant scene, with plenty of coffee shops and microbreweries.

AIER compiled its list using nine economic, demographic, and quality-of-life factors. It defines college towns as having fewer than 250,000 residents.

Read on below to see the 20 best college towns.