UNDATED, WI (WTAQ) - Three Wisconsin metro areas are among the best in the nation for college students.

The American Institute for Economic Research rates Milwaukee as the sixth-best mid-size metro. Madison is rated second-best among small metros, and Superior-Duluth is 14th.

Two major metros that extend into Wisconsin also made the list of the best places for college students to learn and live.

The Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro, which includes Hudson and Saint Croix County, is rated at Number-six in its category.

The Chicago area, including Kenosha County, is Number-12 for large metros.

Steve Cunningham of the economic research institute says the characteristics of a great college also make its local area ideal for tourism, business, and retirement.

The Institute based its ratings on Census and employment data – and each community was then ranked according to its educational-and-cultural environment, quality of life, and job opportunities. 75 metros received ratings in four size categories.