Forbes calls Lawrence a ‘small best place for business’; KU ranks in 3 top-20 lists in Princeton Review

Lawrence was recognized as one of the country’s top Small Best Places for Businesses and Careers by Forbes Magazine this week, while Kansas University was recognized as one of the Princeton Review’s best 376 colleges in the nation.

Lawrence was No. 42 on the magazine’s list, which featured several other university communities in the Big 12 Conference. That includes Manhattan, which came in at No. 1.

Tom Kern, president and CEO of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, pointed out that while Lawrence was doing well in the education area — where the city was top among all the ones the magazine listed — it still could improve in other areas.

“Where we have room to grow is on the job growth side,” where Lawrence ranked 88th overall, Kern said.

He said that Lawrence was “moving in that direction,” with new bioscience efforts, but that growth wouldn’t happen overnight.

“Five years from now, 10 years from now, we could be in that top 10, and I think that’s very doable,” he said.

As for KU, the Princeton Review doesn’t individually rank the colleges, but does feature 62 different Top 20 lists in a variety of categories, based on student surveys.

KU was ranked in three lists. It was No. 8 among “Jock Schools,” No. 15 for Best College Radio Station and No. 16 in Best College Newspaper.

The jock schools ranking takes into account answers related to intercollegiate sports, intramural sports and the popularity of the greek system.

Jill Jess, a KU spokeswoman, said the university was proud of the University Daily Kansan and KJHK for being recognized.

“We’re always pleased to be included in this guide so that potential Jayhawks can understand what past and present Jayhawks already know,” she said. “The comments from our students clearly capture the spirit of the university’s academics, activities and social scene.”

It also was listed among the “Best Western Colleges,” among the top schools in its region.

In last year’s rankings, KU only made two top 20 lists — No. 5 among Jock Schools, and No. 6 in “Students Pack the Stadiums.”