Tampa Ranked 4th Best College Town In America

TAMPA, FL — As local high school seniors rush to submit applications for their colleges of choice before the end of the year, they might want to know that they need look no further than their own back yards for a great college town.

The personal finance website WalletHub released its report on 2020’s Best & Worst College Towns & Cities in America, and Tampa ranked No. 4 on the list for best college towns.

To help college-bound high school seniors determine their future home for the next several years, WalletHub compared more than 400 U.S. cities – also grouped by city size – based on 31 key indicators related to academic, social and economic growth potential. The data set ranged from the cost of living to the quality of higher education to the crime rate.

Not only did Tampa rank No. 4 overall and No. 2 among large-size cities on the list but received the top rating for student-friendliness.

Here's how Tampa ranked in other indicators:

• 202nd – Cost of Living for Young People
• 58th – Quality of Higher Education
• 110th – Cost of Higher Education
• 1st – Nightlife Options per Capita
• 74th – Brain Drain
• 122nd – Crime Rate
• 184th – Percentage of Rental Units
• 203rd – Students per Capita

With college living expenses reaching up to $27,000 a year, Tampa Bay students might want to consider getting more bang for their college savings by paying room and board to mom and dad instead of staying in a dorm.

There are 45 four-year and community colleges within 100 miles of Tampa including the University of Tampa, the University of South Florida, Florida College, St. Petersburg College, Ecker College, Trinity College of Florida, St. Leo University, Florida Southern College, Southeastern University, New College, Ringling College of Art & Design, Rollins College, the University of Central Florida and Full Sail University.