The city is ranked number nine among 20 other cities with populations of less than 250,000.

The American Institute for Economic Research, which is an independent research organization in Massachusetts, compiled information on more than 360 metropolitan statistical areas. To determine the rankings for each group, the AIER looked at what the city provides in terms of its academic environment, quality of life, and the professional opportunities available to residents.

The academic environment includes the student concentration of the city, which looks at the number of college students per 1,000 residents. It also measures student diversity, and the amount of academic research expenditures.

Quality of life entails the cost of living for the city, as well as the accessibility of arts, entertainment and public transportation.

Professional opportunities include earning potential, unemployment rates and the number of people moving in and out of the city.

Several residents and college students agreed Columbia deserves this ranking.

"It's one of the nation's best kept secrets," said Richard King, Columbia resident and owner of the Blue Note.

"When you think of Columbia, it's just a nice place with great places to eat, lots of music, and just all kinds of stuff to do," said MU Freshman Andrew Lane.

MU officials as well as the Columbia Chamber of Commerce said the ranking is no surprise, since Columbia has a lot to offer - like concert venues, museums, parks, shopping and an active night life.

However, one MU official did say these kind of rankings change frequently, so it's difficult to determine where Columbia actually stands.