The iconic image of the American college town as a bucolic New England village is rapidly undergoing a makeover as students are increasingly choosing campuses in cities that are turning their urban cores into centers for “eds and meds.” Today, in the 20 largest U.S. cities, a college, university or medical institution is among the top 10 private employers. At least half of those top employers in five cities — Washington, Philadelphia, San Diego, Memphis and San Jose — are educational and medical institutions. Even in the District, where enrollment caps have restricted the growth of universities despite growing student demand, attitudes about the role higher education can play in economic development are shifting.

April 10, 2016 ・ From The Washington Post