Terre Haute among nation's top small college towns

Terre Haute ranks among the "Best Small College Towns" in America, according to the website CollegeValuesOnline.com.

Indiana State University's hometown is No. 23 on the site's list of 50 college towns selected for their low cost of living, unemployment and crime and the "wow" factor. The ranking released this week follows a No. 9 ranking Terre Haute received in June on a list of America's "Best Small Cities" from NerdWallet.com, which cited the city's college-town lifestyle among the reasons for the high ranking.

"For a long time, those who live and work in Terre Haute have recognized the collaborative relationship that exists between the city and Indiana State University," said John Beacon, senior vice president for enrollment management, marketing and communications. "It's great to be recognized nationally for our joint partnership and achievements."

College values noted that Terre Haute is a Tree City USA with more than 1,000 acres of land dedicated to parks and recreation, featuring disc golf, playgrounds, pools, a butterfly garden and an arboretum.

"In addition, the National Road Heritage Trail is the perfect venue for walking, running, biking, or rollerblading," the website said. "The city's downtown area has been revitalized and now offers an arts corridor featuring the Swope Art Museum as well as two art galleries. Part of this revitalization also included the renovation of the historic Indiana Theater, which is now used for concerts, film screenings, and other performances."

Recognition of Terre Haute in quality of life issues comes amid a period of unprecedented partnership between the city and Indiana State. Within the past year, the university has opened a new track and field facility on the banks of the Wabash River as part of the city's Riverscape redevelopment project and a private developer has opened a five-story student housing/retail complex downtown that put 260 students on Wabash Avenue, the city's main thoroughfare.

The university also stepped up its already extensive community service efforts in recent years with a focus on the Ryves neighborhood located north and east of the campus that is home to a large population of low-income residents. Indiana State earned a No. 1 ranking this year for service and a No. 20 ranking overall from Washington Monthly magazine, which focuses its rankings on the impact colleges and universities have on their students and communities.

Photo: http://photos.indstate.edu/Other/Media-Services/Media-Construction/500-… - The August 2015 opening of a new student housing/retail complex at 500 Wabash Ave. is helping boost Terre Haute's standing as a "college town."

Media contact and writer: Dave Taylor, media relations director, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3743 or dave.taylor@indstate.edu