With just over 30,000 students, the University of Iowa is one of the nation’s top public research universities, a member of the Big Ten conference since 1899, and an Association of American Universities member since 1909. The University of Iowa offers more than 100 areas of study for graduate and professional students. Overall, Iowa is ranked as the 27th Best Public National University in the 2015 U.S. News & World Report rankings, which compared public research universities that also offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. The University of Iowa is known around the world for its balanced commitment to the arts, sciences, and humanities. It is home to one of the nation’s largest academic medical centers, the pioneering Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and hundreds of options for affordable, accessible education. The University of Iowa is located in the casual yet cosmopolitan environment of Iowa City, widely recognized as one of the country’s most livable communities.