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.
Tier B — University-defined
Universities contribute 65 to 80% of the composite. The university is most of what the city is.
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Tier C — University-anchored
Universities contribute 50 to 65% of the composite. The university is the largest single contributor.
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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.