Some of the major cities are actually proactive to having culture and intellect flourish. Read up on the Pocket Guides

Isn't there a Thu'um College in Makarth? Who else thinks it'd be interesting to see what their take on all this is? With the schism in the Mage's Guild, do they now offer magical training or not? What do they think of Cyrodiilic/Altmer/Other magic that we've been using all series, as opposed to "Nordic" Thu'um? Since we now know that Thu'um is the Draconinc language, and the Dragonborn like the PC can use it particularly strongly, what do they think if the protagonist is not a Nord? What do the College of Whispers/Synod think of the College of the Voice? Contempt? Grudging respect? Proffesional rivalry? Outright hatred? Acceptence?