Forbes ranked the Raleigh-Cary metropolitan area number one in business and careers last week, reasoning that a “strong university presence” greatly aided this growth.

The global publication–available both online and in print–highlights developments in areas such as business and technology, according to Forbes’ website.

Professor in agricultural and resource economics, Mike Walden, gave credit for the ranking to the Triangle’s education system–particularly referring to higher education. High quality businesses need a highly educated labor force, so they come to the Triangle, according to Walden.

“We have an unusual confluence here of universities and colleges that are constantly turning out well-trained students,” Walden said. “That’s the big reason why [businesses] are here.”

According to Walden, the U.S . economy has been drifting away from manufacturing and toward services for the past couple decades. Therefore, Walden said since businesses do not need to localize production, they can headquarter themselves at nearly any point on the globe.

“With modern technology,” Walden said, “businesses can locate anywhere–certainly anywhere in the country, and virtually anywhere in the world.”

The area’s educational attainment, or rate of the population over 25 with a bachelor’s degree or higher, was 42.2 percent, according to Forbes’ report.

Raleigh’s major industries, according to Forbes, are technology, healthcare and education.

The Forbes ranking, available on their website, lists two prominent key business people: James Goodnight and John Sall . Goodnight completed three degrees in statistics from N.C . State, and Sall sits on the Board of Trustees, according to the SAS website. Sall also earned an honorary doctorate from the University.

Goodnight owns two-thirds of SAS – the technology giant, while Sall owns the other one-third.

In another Forbes ranking, Raleigh took number one in “America’s most-wired cities,” a list of which cities are most broadband-connected. The area also placed number 10 in education.

According to the business ranking, home prices–which have plagued the national economy since 2007–increased during 2010. Stable home prices also help to attract and retain a strong workforce. A home is the largest investment most Americans make in their lifetimes, so stability is key in such an investment.

In order to stay number one in business and careers, Walden said continued investment in universities is key.

“We need to continue to forge relationships between universities and the private sector,” Walden said.

Forbes noted the cost of living in the area is 4.4 percent above the national average. Walden mentioned another key to sustained success is keeping an eye on this cost.

“We need to continue to keep quality of life in mind,” Walden said. “Evidence suggests that another factor that is particularly attractive to high-end businesspeople is the quality of life environment: cultural aspects; and cost of living in the area.”