Which Iowa Spot Made the List of Best College Towns in America?

The vast majority of college campuses across America give off pretty much the same vibe at their core.

But it's what surrounds those campuses that separate the good from the bad.

Travel + Leisure is out with their 25 Best College Towns and Cities in the U.S. and one Tri-State (Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota) made the cut.

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Iowa City is number eight on the list.

The city of 75,000 just celebrated its 184th birthday (founded January 21, 1839) and has been home to the University of Iowa since 1847.

Travel + Leisure raved about the city's link to literature:

'Those looking to study literature should seriously consider a move to Iowa City. After all, it’s a UNESCO-designated City of Literature, making it a stellar spot to learn about (or write) all the great novels.' 

Overall, the top college town in America is home to fewer than 35 colleges, universities, and community colleges and the 152,000 students that call those campuses home.

The Upper Midwest is represented in the Top 25 by Lincoln, Nebraska at number 21.

1. Boston, Massachusetts
2. Lynchburg, Virginia
3. Madison, Wisconsin
4. Tuscaloosa, Alabama
5. Columbia, Missouri
6. Ann Arbor, Michigan
7. Tempe, Arizona
8. Iowa City, Iowa
9. Gainesville, Florida
10. Athens, Georgia
11. Lawrence, Kansas
12. Boulder, Colorado
13. Providence, Rhode Island
14. Tallahassee, Florida
15. Berkeley, California
16. Provo, Utah
17. Eugene, Oregon
18. Oxford, Mississippi
19. Syracuse, New York
20. Austin, Texas
21. Lincoln, Nebraska
22. Burlington, Vermont
23. Chapel Hill, North Carolina
24. Hartford, Connecticut
25. Ithaca, New York