UNIVERSITY PARK — State College has been ranked No. 3 among college towns for college students by the American Institute for Economic Research.

The title was published in AIER’s 2012-13 College Destinations Index, an annual ranking of the nation’s 75 best towns and cities to live as a college student. The index takes into consideration such aspects as academic environment, quality of life and professional opportunity, according to a Penn State release.

The CDI considers college towns as those with a residential population under 250,000. Ithaca, N.Y., and Ames, Iowa, came in first and second, respectively, according to the release.

“Penn State’s University Park campus and State College have long enjoyed a close town-gown partnership,” said university President Rodney Erickson. “The quality of life in our region benefits students and residents alike.”

For more information, visit https://www.aier.org/cdi.