Newark ranked eighth among America’s college towns according to the WalletHub financial information website, thanks in part to its nightlife, academics and availability of part-time jobs.
Newark outranked well-known college towns that include Austin, TX; Chapel Hill, NC; and Charlottesville, VA. Ranking first was Oxford, Ohio, home of Miami of Ohio.
The report, 2016’s Best & Worst College Towns & Cities in America, was released as seniors in high school send out applications and wait for the return letter.
The University of Delaware, the city and the business community have worked t0 make Newark a drawing card for students after Main Street saw an increase in store vacancies in the 1980s.
The University of Delaware also remains with the ranks of the top universities in the nation. The one lower ranking for Newark came on the cost side.
In downtown, new construction in the form of mixed-use projects that often combine apartments, restaurants and other businesses are a key part of Main Street, which now extends into a portion of the former Elkton Road.
Newark has also seen dining and nightlife mainstays like Klondike Kate’s and Deer Park remain in operation.
WalletHub’s analysts compared 415 U.S. cities based on 26 key indicators of academic, social and economic growth potential.
- 45th – Quality of Higher Education
- 106th – Cost of Higher Education
- 1st – Nightlife Options per Capita
- 28th – Share of Part-Time Jobs
- 85th – Brain Drain
- 63rd – City Accessibility
- 75th – Crime Rate
- 25th – Students per Capita
