ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida cities landed five spots on WalletHub’s new list of the nation’s top 20 college towns, underscoring the state’s growing influence in higher education and student life, according to an article from Business Insider.
The personal-finance website analyzed more than 400 U.S. cities for its 2025 ranking, evaluating affordability, social environment and academic opportunity. Researchers reviewed federal data on housing costs, tuition, job growth, and crime, along with lifestyle indicators such as nightlife, food trucks and the share of young adults.
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College towns — defined as cities with at least 7,500 students — ranged from major metros to small university hubs.
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Florida posted one of the strongest statewide performances in the country:
- Tallahassee landed at No. 15, scoring second-highest for affordability among the top-ranked cities.
- Miami came in at No. 14 but also received third-highest social rank in the top 20
- Gainesville, home to the University of Florida, ranked No. 10 and was the most wallet‑friendly city in the top 20.
- Tampa ranked No. 4 overall, buoyed by strong affordability and one of the top social environments in the study.
- Orlando placed No. 3, with one of the highest social scores and relatively low in‑state tuition costs.
WalletHub noted that Florida’s college hubs benefit from comparatively lower housing costs, large student populations and expanding job markets tied to health care, tourism and technology.
Austin, Texas, topped the national list, followed by Ann Arbor, Michigan. Both cities scored high for their academic and economic opportunity.
Other cities in the top 20 included Raleigh, North Carolina (No. 5); Tempe, Arizona (No. 6); Atlanta (No. 7); and Reno, Nevada (No. 8). Yale University’s home city of New Haven, Connecticut, rounded out the list at No. 20.
To see the full list, click here.