The Lehigh Valley offers quality higher education through its 10 colleges and universities. Higher education is an important part of Bethlehem’s history and the evolution of its Northside and Southside downtowns as destinations for food, fun and shopping. The prestigious Lehigh University and historically significant Moravian College are book ends for the downtowns. Nearby Northampton Community College is one of the most highly regarded community colleges in the country, and East Stroudsburg University offers classes at its Downtown Bethlehem site.