Pittsburgh MSA a 2012 "Leading Location" (State College, Washington: college, rankings)

[BrianTH]

Report:

http://www.areadevelopment.com/artic...ull-report.pdf

The methodology is explained on the first page, and as always the rankings will be influenced by those methodological choices. Nonetheless, I think it is illuminating that Pittsburgh at #12 was one of the first larger metros to appear in this list, along with San Jose (#7), Austin (#11), and Oklahoma City (#13) (collectively one might suggest some interesting parallels between those metros). The first metros actually larger than Pittsburgh on the list were Washington (#21), Boston (#23), and Houston (#28)--again, collectively suggestive of interesting parallels.

They also broke down their factors into three broad subcategories: "Economic Strength", "Prime Workforce Growth", and "Recession Busting", and Pittsburgh largely retained its ranking in all three categories (although it was just a little bit lower-ranked in Recession Busting, which I find mildly surprising).

[speagles84]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Report:

http://www.areadevelopment.com/artic...ull-report.pdf

The methodology is explained on the first page, and as always the rankings will be influenced by those methodological choices. Nonetheless, I think it is illuminating that Pittsburgh at #12 was one of the first larger metros to appear in this list, along with San Jose (#7), Austin (#11), and Oklahoma City (#13) (collectively one might suggest some interesting parallels between those metros). The first metros actually larger than Pittsburgh on the list were Washington (#21), Boston (#23), and Houston (#28)--again, collectively suggestive of interesting parallels.

They also broke down their factors into three broad subcategories: "Economic Strength", "Prime Workforce Growth", and "Recession Busting", and Pittsburgh largely retained its ranking in all three categories (although it was just a little bit lower-ranked in Recession Busting, which I find mildly surprising).

Looking at the list. Morgantown, WV is #9.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by speagles84

Looking at the list. Morgantown, WV is #9.

Not really a surprise to me, based on what I have heard and seen. Generally, college towns seem to be doing well, and college towns in this region may be doing particularly well (note State College at #19).

[bradjl2009]

Interesting rankings to see. I notice that we are also the highest ranked city in the Northeast and Philly however is the lowest ranked major metro on the list.

[escilade18]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

Interesting rankings to see. I notice that we are also the highest ranked city in the Northeast and Philly however is the lowest ranked major metro on the list.

Another interesting observation is how far down the list Cleveland is as well due to it being in the same general region as Pittsburgh

[Craziaskowboi]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

Interesting rankings to see. I notice that we are also the highest ranked city in the Northeast and Philly however is the lowest ranked major metro on the list.

Actually, that'd be Chicago, which isn't even on the list.

[MathmanMathman]

Right off the bat...looking at the top 10...this report doesn't impress me. The Top 50 Big Cities seems more relevant when comparing.

But I've seen so many rankings with conflicting results that I'm becoming a bit jaded with each new one that comes along.