Florida doesn't get a lot of attention for its colleges, but there are 55 towns in the state with at least one four-year school -- and some of them make great places to spend four years.
We wanted to know which ones are the best college towns. You know the type of place: plenty of students, plenty to do, affordable rent, and safe enough to walk around at night.
So we used Saturday Night Science to rank all 55 of them on the colleges themselves, the town around them, and things to do. Tampa came out on top.
The 10 Best College Towns In Florida For 2026
Want the bigger picture? See where Florida's towns land among the best college towns in America.
For more reading, check out:
| Colleges | University of South Florida, Hillsborough College, The University of Tampa |
|---|---|
| Undergrads | 71,375 (18 per 100 residents) |
| Population | 401,618 |
| Median rent | $1,701 |
| Graduation rate | 46% |
| Cost to attend (per year) | $29,868 |
Tampa is home to University of South Florida, Hillsborough College, The University of Tampa. There are 18 undergrads for every 100 residents, the median rent is $1,701 a month, and the average cost to attend is $29,868 a year. It ranks 7th for crime among the 55 towns we ranked.
| Colleges | Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida SouthWestern State College |
|---|---|
| Undergrads | 24,926 (26 per 100 residents) |
| Population | 95,051 |
| Median rent | $1,580 |
| Graduation rate | 54% |
| Cost to attend (per year) | $17,530 |
Fort Myers is home to Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida SouthWestern State College. There are 26 undergrads for every 100 residents, the median rent is $1,580 a month, and the average cost to attend is $17,530 a year. It ranks 28th for crime among the 55 towns we ranked.
| Colleges | Ringling College of Art and Design, New College of Florida, Galen Health Institutes-Sarasota |
|---|---|
| Undergrads | 3,079 (5 per 100 residents) |
| Population | 56,970 |
| Median rent | $1,684 |
| Graduation rate | 74% |
| Cost to attend (per year) | $46,614 |
Sarasota is home to Ringling College of Art and Design, New College of Florida, Galen Health Institutes-Sarasota. There are 5 undergrads for every 100 residents, the median rent is $1,684 a month, and the average cost to attend is $46,614 a year. It ranks 9th for crime among the 55 towns we ranked.
| Colleges | Full Sail University, Rollins College, Herzing University-Orlando |
|---|---|
| Undergrads | 29,122 (96 per 100 residents) |
| Population | 30,274 |
| Median rent | $1,738 |
| Graduation rate | 58% |
| Cost to attend (per year) | $50,101 |
Winter Park is home to Full Sail University, Rollins College, Herzing University-Orlando. There are 96 undergrads for every 100 residents, the median rent is $1,738 a month, and the average cost to attend is $50,101 a year. It ranks 11th for crime among the 55 towns we ranked.
| Colleges | Florida State University, Tallahassee State College, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University |
|---|---|
| Undergrads | 50,847 (25 per 100 residents) |
| Population | 201,875 |
| Median rent | $1,293 |
| Graduation rate | 67% |
| Cost to attend (per year) | $21,023 |
Tallahassee is home to Florida State University, Tallahassee State College, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. There are 25 undergrads for every 100 residents, the median rent is $1,293 a month, and the average cost to attend is $21,023 a year. It ranks 28th for crime among the 55 towns we ranked.
| Colleges | Broward College, Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University |
|---|---|
| Undergrads | 50,268 (27 per 100 residents) |
| Population | 185,604 |
| Median rent | $1,854 |
| Graduation rate | 59% |
| Cost to attend (per year) | $40,630 |
Fort Lauderdale is home to Broward College, Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University. There are 27 undergrads for every 100 residents, the median rent is $1,854 a month, and the average cost to attend is $40,630 a year. It ranks 28th for crime among the 55 towns we ranked.
| Colleges | Pasco-Hernando State College |
|---|---|
| Undergrads | 6,900 (40 per 100 residents) |
| Population | 17,425 |
| Median rent | $1,193 |
| Graduation rate | 43% |
| Cost to attend (per year) | $11,730 |
New Port Richey is home to Pasco-Hernando State College. There are 40 undergrads for every 100 residents, the median rent is $1,193 a month, and the average cost to attend is $11,730 a year. It ranks 28th for crime among the 55 towns we ranked.
| Colleges | Florida Atlantic University, Lynn University, Everglades University |
|---|---|
| Undergrads | 29,405 (29 per 100 residents) |
| Population | 100,234 |
| Median rent | $2,508 |
| Graduation rate | 62% |
| Cost to attend (per year) | $42,772 |
Boca Raton is home to Florida Atlantic University, Lynn University, Everglades University. There are 29 undergrads for every 100 residents, the median rent is $2,508 a month, and the average cost to attend is $42,772 a year. It ranks 6th for crime among the 55 towns we ranked.
| Colleges | University of Central Florida, Valencia College, Ana G. Mendez University |
|---|---|
| Undergrads | 105,301 (33 per 100 residents) |
| Population | 319,758 |
| Median rent | $1,747 |
| Graduation rate | 53% |
| Cost to attend (per year) | $28,400 |
Orlando is home to University of Central Florida, Valencia College, Ana G. Mendez University. There are 33 undergrads for every 100 residents, the median rent is $1,747 a month, and the average cost to attend is $28,400 a year. It ranks 28th for crime among the 55 towns we ranked.
| Colleges | University of West Florida, Pensacola State College, PENSACOLA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE |
|---|---|
| Undergrads | 16,868 (31 per 100 residents) |
| Population | 54,036 |
| Median rent | $1,322 |
| Graduation rate | 51% |
| Cost to attend (per year) | $15,920 |
Pensacola is home to University of West Florida, Pensacola State College, PENSACOLA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE. There are 31 undergrads for every 100 residents, the median rent is $1,322 a month, and the average cost to attend is $15,920 a year. It ranks 28th for crime among the 55 towns we ranked.
Saturday Night Science
How we determined the best college towns in Florida
First, we decided that every town on the list had to have at least one four-year college -- a school that grants bachelor's degrees -- and at least 5,000 residents. There are 55 towns in Florida that fit the bill.
Then we ranked every town on these categories:
- The town: unemployment rate, median rent, and crime per capita
- The colleges: graduation rate, the average cost to attend, and student body diversity
- Things to do: bars, museums and libraries per capita, and population density
- Students: undergrads as a share of the population
- Size: population, since bigger towns have more going on
We ranked each town on every measure, averaged those ranks into a score for each category, and then averaged the categories. The town with the best overall score is the best college town in Florida.
Our data comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (enrollment, graduation rates, cost, and diversity), the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey, the FBI's 2024 crime report. We left out colleges that are online-only or mostly online, since their students don't actually live in town. A handful of towns don't report crime to the FBI, so we gave them the average.
We updated this article for 2026. This is our eleventh time ranking the best college towns in Florida.
Summary
There You Have It -- The Best College Towns In Florida
If you're looking for the best college towns in Florida, Tampa is where to start.
The best college towns in Florida are Tampa, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Winter Park, Tallahassee, Fort Lauderdale, New Port Richey, Boca Raton, Orlando, and Pensacola.
For more college towns, check out the best college towns in America.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best college town in Florida for 2026?
Tampa is the best college town in Florida for 2026, followed by Fort Myers and Sarasota.
How did you rank the best college towns in Florida?
We looked at every town in Florida with at least 5,000 residents and a four-year college, then ranked them on city characteristics, college characteristics, things to do, the share of residents who are students, and size. The town with the best average rank is number one.
What is the worst college town in Florida?
Leesburg ranks last of the 55 college towns we ranked in Florida for 2026.
Best College Towns In Florida For 2026
| Rank | City | Population | Undergrads | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tampa, FL | 401,618 | 71,375 | $1,701 |
| 2 | Fort Myers, FL | 95,051 | 24,926 | $1,580 |
| 3 | Sarasota, FL | 56,970 | 3,079 | $1,684 |
| 4 | Winter Park, FL | 30,274 | 29,122 | $1,738 |
| 5 | Tallahassee, FL | 201,875 | 50,847 | $1,293 |
| 6 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 185,604 | 50,268 | $1,854 |
| 7 | New Port Richey, FL | 17,425 | 6,900 | $1,193 |
| 8 | Boca Raton, FL | 100,234 | 29,405 | $2,508 |
| 9 | Orlando, FL | 319,758 | 105,301 | $1,747 |
| 10 | Pensacola, FL | 54,036 | 16,868 | $1,322 |
| 11 | Fort Pierce, FL | 49,082 | 11,822 | $1,217 |
| 12 | Daytona Beach, FL | 78,992 | 20,768 | $1,328 |
| 13 | Gainesville, FL | 145,702 | 47,419 | $1,296 |
| 14 | Marianna, FL | 7,150 | 1,312 | $861 |
| 15 | Lake City, FL | 12,515 | 2,301 | $1,040 |
| 16 | Winter Haven, FL | 55,200 | 7,180 | $1,246 |
| 17 | Miami, FL | 459,745 | 89,008 | $1,758 |
| 18 | Sanford, FL | 63,730 | 12,864 | $1,609 |
| 19 | Pembroke Pines, FL | 173,194 | 899 | $2,046 |
| 20 | Bradenton, FL | 57,014 | 7,379 | $1,618 |
| 21 | St. Petersburg, FL | 262,732 | 22,303 | $1,663 |
| 22 | Hialeah, FL | 226,165 | 2,449 | $1,689 |
| 23 | Niceville, FL | 16,544 | 3,010 | $1,749 |
| 24 | St. Augustine, FL | 15,351 | 2,391 | $1,653 |
| 25 | Coral Gables, FL | 49,802 | 12,913 | $2,373 |
| 26 | Avon Park, FL | 10,057 | 2,045 | $921 |
| 27 | Jacksonville, FL | 977,670 | 38,231 | $1,465 |
| 28 | Temple Terrace, FL | 27,275 | 588 | $1,594 |
| 29 | Melbourne, FL | 86,576 | 13,894 | $1,525 |
| 30 | Deerfield Beach, FL | 88,093 | 373 | $1,774 |
| 31 | Key West, FL | 25,720 | 1,012 | $2,220 |
| 32 | Naples, FL | 19,704 | 0 | $2,305 |
| 33 | Delray Beach, FL | 67,979 | 1,315 | $1,961 |
| 34 | Sweetwater, FL | 20,085 | 33 | $1,771 |
| 35 | Miami Springs, FL | 13,726 | 312 | $1,441 |
| 36 | DeLand, FL | 41,611 | 2,297 | $1,355 |
| 37 | Ocala, FL | 66,584 | 8,154 | $1,359 |
| 38 | Panama City, FL | 34,979 | 3,934 | $1,327 |
| 39 | Spring Hill, FL | 119,983 | 201 | $1,440 |
| 40 | Miami Lakes, FL | 31,553 | 251 | $2,120 |
| 41 | Boynton Beach, FL | 81,435 | 563 | $2,041 |
| 42 | Lauderhill, FL | 74,896 | 314 | $1,684 |
| 43 | Lakeland, FL | 119,961 | 9,158 | $1,395 |
| 44 | Royal Palm Beach, FL | 40,344 | 251 | $2,273 |
| 45 | Palatka, FL | 10,650 | 4,403 | $901 |
| 46 | Lake Wales, FL | 16,785 | 756 | $1,110 |
| 47 | Miami Gardens, FL | 113,177 | 3,397 | $1,787 |
| 48 | Dania Beach, FL | 32,180 | 113 | $1,781 |
| 49 | Miramar, FL | 138,600 | 21 | $2,117 |
| 50 | West Palm Beach, FL | 122,290 | 2,603 | $1,772 |
| 51 | Hobe Sound, FL | 13,817 | 112 | $1,129 |
| 52 | Miami Beach, FL | 82,031 | 27 | $1,826 |
| 53 | Doral, FL | 79,216 | 1,222 | $2,669 |
| 54 | Trinity, FL | 18,907 | 148 | $2,451 |
| 55 | Leesburg, FL | 30,807 | 4,683 | $1,258 |
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