Washington ranks No. 3 among large metro areas as a college designation, according to the American Institute for Economic Research’s College Destinations Index for 2013 and 2014.

Washington trails only New York and Boston on this year’s list.

The rankings are based on 12 categories that cover academic environment, quality of life and professional opportunity.

Washington ranks No. 1 for the percent of workforce in the creative class, at 50.7 percent. And the area ranks No. 2 for earnings potential and degree attainment. The AIER says 52 percent of 25-to-34-year-olds in Washington hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The area’s per capita income is $56,721.

Baltimore ranks No. 8 out of 15 among major metro areas.

AIER’s rankings also include the top 5 mid-size metros, the top 5 small metros and the top 5 college towns.

You can see the rankings here.