Arguably, the presence of a large university enhances the quality of cultural life for a town of any given size. Can towns without a such a center of cultural gravity ever compete on quality of life issues?
Great question. In grad school we often speculated how the medium size city where we lived in at the time would be different without the U.
Although it is seen to me that most any “medium” sized city has some sort of college or university, but it is clear what you are asking. When looking at comparable towns with and without universities it is almost certain the U towns will have heightened culture, as you said. Education = Culture (generally & hopefully).
What else could fit that roll of the U to bring culture?? I would guess towns with:
· Environmental tourist attractions (e.g. skiing, beach, lakes, rivers or other natural areas)
· Artists, writers and the like communities/colonies
· Economically healthy downtowns (with residential apts. or lofts, mix of restaurants, pubs, and stores where you can buy groceries or other daily items, as opposed to only expensive galleries and the such.)
· Historic areas. Like in Savannah, Ga (I know SCAD is there, but I will argue that Savannah would be a center of culture with out it, although it of course adds).
· Also, I have observed that if there is a certain park or square that often holds cultural events; restaurants, pubs, shops, and people will start to migrate around this area.
This is off the top of my head, and I would like to hear if anyone disagrees or has others to add.
population brought in by the University. 
