University Town
Metros where the universities dimension is the single largest contributor to the composite score. Includes the pure gravity wells (Uppsala, Leiden, Göttingen) where the university accounts for 80% or more, alongside the diversified university cities where the institution is the anchor without being the entirety. Drawn from the Academic Gravity Wells analysis.
Tier A — Pure gravity well
Universities contribute 80% or more of the composite. The university IS the city.
| Rank | Metro | University share | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| #617 | GöttingenGermany | 97% | Emerging Metro |
| #388 | LeidenNetherlands | 90% | Established Metro |
| #341 | UppsalaSweden | 90% | Established Metro |
| #538 | WürzburgGermany | 88% | Emerging Metro |
| #653 | MunsterGermany | 86% | Emerging Metro |
| #648 | AachenGermany | 86% | Emerging Metro |
| #631 | West LafayetteUnited States | 82% | Emerging Metro |
| #514 | RegensburgGermany | 80% | Emerging Metro |
Tier B — University-defined
Universities contribute 65 to 80% of the composite. The university is most of what the city is.
Tier C — University-anchored
Universities contribute 50 to 65% of the composite. The university is the largest single contributor.
Tier D — University-leading
Universities contribute 40 to 50% of the composite. The university is the #1 dimension; the metro has a real second leg.