For the third year in a row, Orlando ranks as the No. 2 Best College City in America among large cities, according to WalletHub’s 2026 list. The City Beautiful maintained the No. 3 spot among cities overall — making this the fifth year Orlando has placed in the top five nationally.

The rankings serve as a go-to guide for prospective college students deciding where to pursue their college journey. WalletHub dives deep, considering 31 key factors, from the quality of higher education to academic, social and economic opportunities, to pinpoint the best of the best college towns and cities among more than 400 U.S. cities.

As WalletHub puts it, a college’s geographical location matters as much as its curriculum and social environment. And Orlando has all the perks you’d imagine — from a reasonable cost of living to academic and work prospects to a wide variety of activities that make for a fun social environment for students. To top it off, WalletHub named Orlando the No. 1 Best Foodie City in America for 2023, and it has remained in the top five ever since — solidifying its reputation as a food lover’s paradise.

“All of the restaurants [in Orlando] are incredible, and it’s so fun finding ‘hole-in-the-wall’ restaurants and sharing them (with) your friends,” says Jean-Thomas Mateesco ’24, an advertising and public relations alum.

Opportunity abounds in Orlando — one of the fastest-growing cities in Central Florida and home to �鶹ԭ��.

Many factors led Shannon Nauta ’24, a �鶹ԭ�� art alum who minored in event management and art history, from her home state of New Jersey to �鶹ԭ�� — including its internationally recognized Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

“I decided on �鶹ԭ�� because I am interested in pursuing a career within the industry,” Nauta says. “�鶹ԭ�� has amazing programs that provide opportunities for experience and immersion in the creative and hospitality fields, with Orlando as the perfect location [home to world-famous attractions, resorts, restaurants and more].”

�鶹ԭ�� is uniquely positioned amongst a variety of industries, including hospitality, healthcare, tech and aerospace. And some of the nation’s top companies, such as Electronic Arts, Lockheed Martin, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Nemours Children’s Hospital and Walt Disney World Resort have all planted roots in Orlando and have partnerships with �鶹ԭ��. Students can chart their path to success by accessing industries and experiences that are connected to their coursework. The knowledge they’ll gain, discoveries they’ll make and personal growth they’ll achieve while studying at �鶹ԭ�� will come to benefit them for a lifetime.

Among factors like abundant activities, safety and plenty of jobs, “some of the best college towns blend great academics with low costs,” says WalletHub Analyst Cassandra Happe.

Orlando ranks among the top 40 cities with the best cost of higher education, per WalletHub’s 2024 rankings release. Here, the cost of “in-state tuition, room and board and other college expenses are among the lowest in the country,” Happe says.

For the ninth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has ranked the state of Florida No. 1 in the nation for higher education, with Orlando offering the 14th-lowest tuition (including room and board) for in-state students.

A thriving hub of innovation and economic growth, Orlando maintained the No. 1 spot for Best City to Start a Career among Florida cities, according to WalletHub’s 2025 list. The city retains the No. 2 spot among cities overall. WalletHub compared the relative market strength and overall livability of more than 180 U.S. cities to achieve these rankings. Each city was examined by 26 key factors, ranging from the availability of entry-level jobs to the monthly average starting salary to housing affordability.

Orlando’s thriving job market is one of the main reasons Nauta, an out-of-state student, moved to Orlando. While studying at �鶹ԭ��, she says she was able to work within the entertainment industry.

Mateesco shares a similar sentiment, adding that “other cities are becoming [overly saturated while] Orlando is an ever-growing city with loads of jobs and cool opportunities.”

Fortunately, new graduates are entering the workforce at a good time, with the current employment shortage and companies eager to hire.

“Orlando has the highest job growth rate of any city, at 8.69%, so it’s a good place for students to stay even after they’ve graduated,” Happe says.

Earning your degree is a big step, and doing so far from your hometown is an even bigger one. Get ready for a college journey filled with new adventures while attending �鶹ԭ�� as an out-of-state student. The first step: preparing for life in another state. Here’s five helpful tips to ensure you have a smooth transition.

1. Discover What Life is Like in Orlando

Before you make your way to one of the most popular travel destinations in the U.S., you’ll want to know how best to live like a local in Orlando.

This vibrant metropolitan city in the heart of Central Florida has it all — from some of the world’s most-visited theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando, to tons of restaurants serving every kind of cuisine, to more than 100 annual festivals, fairs, and markets celebrating music, food, culture, the arts and more. (Just wait until you attend your first �鶹ԭ�� Celebrates the Arts.) You’ll also find some of the best natural springs to go tubing and camping, plenty of lakes including �鶹ԭ��’s Lake Claire for kayaking and fishing, and gorgeous botanical gardens, trails and the �鶹ԭ�� Arboretum where you can walk and bike.

Plus, �鶹ԭ��’s four campuses are strategically located in the heart of flourishing regions within Orlando. You’ll thrive in the environment with access to industries like hospitality, healthcare, entertainment and technology, as well as experiences that are connected to your coursework. You’ll be in the best place to learn from industry experts, get real-world experience and start your career.

Living in Orlando has all the perks you can imagine and plenty of hidden gems you’ll love as a local. There are so many spectacular entertainment venues, a lively downtown and endless eclectic neighborhoods to explore. It’s no surprise that Orlando is ranked No. 1 Best College City among midsize cities and No. 3 among all cities by WalletHub.

2. Prepare for Florida Weather

Researching the weather before packing is half the battle. With being called the Sunshine State comes 237 days of signature Florida sunshine every year. �鶹ԭ��’s campuses are in the humid, subtropical climate of Orlando, where the summers are long (from May to September), and the winters are short (from December to February). Expect temperature highs to be in the range of 80-99 degrees Fahrenheit, so don’t forget your sunscreen and drink plenty of water. Staying alert for severe weather warnings are also a big part of living like a Floridian. For example, if you’ll be starting classes in the fall, that’s during the annual Atlantic Hurricane Season. You’ll need to know how to stay safe during a storm — which �鶹ԭ�� is experienced in as a StormReady designated campus.

Check out these other items you may want to bring with you to O-Town:

• Comfortable, Lightweight Clothes: You’ll be a true Floridian once you come to class in your favorite �鶹ԭ�� T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops.
• Swimwear: The region is about 45 minutes away from 360 miles of coastline where more than 189 beautiful beaches are located. So, swimsuits are a wardrobe staple, along with sunglasses, hats and a great tan.
• Winter Clothes: Average temperature lows do reach 40-59 degrees Fahrenheit in the wintertime. You won’t get any use out of your snow boots, but warm coats, hats and gloves will come in handy.
• Business Clothes: �鶹ԭ��’s annual and are just two examples of the many career fairs, internship opportunities and networking events for students to participate in on campus. Prepare for these opportunities by packing a professional outfit that you’ll feel confident in (or find one on campus — more about this later).
• Essentials for Your dorm or Off-campus Housing: Bedding, towels and washcloths, laundry supplies, your electronic devices — these items and more are things you’ll need for your room. Refer to this for additional move-in essentials.

3. Plan Out Your Daily Routine

Moving to Orlando and finding your way around �鶹ԭ�� as an out-of-state student will require a switch up in your daily routine. Keep these things in mind to make daily life a lot easier:

• Find Your Home Away From Home

Make the most of life as a Knight by living on campus where you’ll be in the center of all the action. Being on the main campus makes it easy to get around quickly and meet up with friends at the Student Union, study at the John C. Hitt Library or relax by the Reflecting Pond. You’ll also never be far from one of our recreation facilities or a place to grab a bite to eat.

Whether you decide to live on or off campus, you’re sure to find your second home. Our eight offer over 20 different floorplans — from shared suites to apartment style. University-affiliated and off-campus housing options are also available.

• Choose Your Meal Plan

No matter what you’re craving, you’re sure to find it on campus. �鶹ԭ�� Dining Services provides a variety of delicious and healthy options with meal plans that nourish your campus experience. As a �鶹ԭ�� student, you can to gain access to all-you-can-eat dining halls across campus. Each location has a range of chef-developed menus and offerings, including vegan, vegetarian and plant-forward options available daily. Dig into other dining favorites like Panda Express, Steak ‘n Shake, Smoothie King, Jimmy John’s and more on campus.

• Locate the Nearest Grocery Store

You’ll want to stock up on some snacks for those late-night study sessions. �鶹ԭ�� has your back with that take you to the nearest Publix Super Market for all of your grocery needs.

The is available to �鶹ԭ�� students in need of basic items such as food, clothing (including professional attire that you may need for job and internship interviews), toiletries, home goods and school supplies. With a valid �鶹ԭ�� ID, students can visit the pantry at our main campus once per day. Branch pantries are also located at �鶹ԭ��’s Downtown, Rosen and Lake Nona campuses.

• Determine Your Mode of Transportation

There are several ways to get to, from and around �鶹ԭ��. As a �鶹ԭ�� student, you’re able to ride all Central Florida LYNX public transportation buses, on and off campus, for free with your �鶹ԭ�� student ID.

Bringing your car with you to campus? There are over 20,000 parking spaces among our four campuses. Be sure to to avoid any parking citations. No worries if you don’t have your own set of wheels. Getting around campus has never been easier with free �鶹ԭ�� shuttle buses that service all �鶹ԭ�� campuses and off-campus student communities. Stay up to date on all shuttle routes using the .

If you’re feeling adventurous, ride from �鶹ԭ�� to Tallahassee, Gainesville and Miami on a RedCoach bus to see what these other Florida cities have to offer. The is located at our main campus.

Find out more information about �鶹ԭ�� transportation and parking.

• Get Established with a Primary Care Doctor

Even if you’re in good health, it’s still important to have a physician you can rely on to help keep you at your optimum health. will provide you with a network of health providers who are committed to helping you be at your best mentally and physically. You’ll have access to doctors, dentists, dieticians and a full-service pharmacy on the main campus, with satellite clinics on our other campuses.

Learn more about the and discover additional wellness resources.

4. Solidify Your Support System

The transition to going to college in another state is just as much mental as it is physical. You may feel homesick at some point during your first semester, which is expected. (After all, it’s your freshman year and you’re living in a whole new state.) The key to avoiding a complete meltdown is to prepare for an emotional transition using these tips:

• When you’re missing home, get the support you need from therapists, self-help resources and workshops through our free . You’ll have a safe space to express your feelings and learn skills to cope with your emotions.

• Get involved with more than at �鶹ԭ��. Who knows; you may meet lifelong friends at a Zumba class at the or at a dance rehearsal with the Latin Rhythm Club.

• Seek help with navigating �鶹ԭ�� from a mentor such as a resident assistant who can help get you settled into your dorm, or one of our who can connect you with campus resources, provide guidance in major exploration, share their �鶹ԭ�� experiences and answer your questions.

• Thrive at �鶹ԭ�� both personally and academically with the — your go-to source for high-quality academic support programs. Visit the Math Lab, the University Writing Center, tutoring sessions and more to get the support you need to reach your goals in the classroom and beyond.

5. Calculate Out-of-State College Costs

Earning your degree means more at �鶹ԭ��. The knowledge you’ll gain, discoveries you’ll make, passionate faculty who’ll inspire you and personal growth you’ll achieve over the next four years will benefit you for a lifetime. It’s no wonder Forbes, Kiplinger and The Princeton Review rank a �鶹ԭ�� education among the nation’s best values.

Florida is among the top five states with the lowest out-of-state tuition. The direct annual cost to attend �鶹ԭ�� as an out-of-state student includes tuition and fees as well as housing and food. Indirect costs include books and supplies, transportation and personal expenses, which may vary by student. To begin estimating your expenses, try this:

• Determine Your New Cost of Living

The cost of essential items — such as groceries, transportation and health care — will vary from state to state. Research the comparison between living costs in Florida versus your hometown. Also, use our net price calculator to get an accurate estimate of what it will cost you to attend �鶹ԭ��. Knowing costs beforehand can help inform your financial decisions.

• Plan for Travel Expenses

Orlando makes trips home convenient with two international airports, local and national train service, and multiple bus lines. If you plan on returning home often, then you’ll want to consider the price of your plane ticket, bus or train fare.

• Calculate Additional Move-in Costs

Find out all the amenities that are provided by your housing community. This will help you determine if you’ll need to bring other essentials — like cooking utensils — or buy them when you arrive at �鶹ԭ��.

• Explore Financial Aid Options

A financial assistance counselor in the Office of Student Financial Assistance can help determine your total cost of attendance and financial aid status. Remember, scholarship funds and financial aid — like the Need Based Non-resident Waiver — can help offset some of your out-of-state college expenses. Given that 72% of �鶹ԭ�� undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid, use to search for scholarships and automatically match with certain �鶹ԭ�� or external awards. Also, learn to spend wisely, build your credit and save for the future with Centsible Knights, �鶹ԭ��’s free financial literacy program.

It’s your turn to start a journey that will change your world. Learn more about the �鶹ԭ�� experience and attending college out of state.

“Florida’s success would not be possible without the exceptional leadership at our 12 public universities, Gov. (Ron) DeSantis’ commitment to excellence in higher education and the unwavering support of our legislative leaders. I am truly grateful for their investment and continued support,” says Brian Lamb, chair of the Board of Governors, which oversees the State University System. “Florida has long been a national leader in higher education, and retaining this No. 1 ranking proves the Florida way is working. By prioritizing student success, with an emphasis on providing all students a high-quality, low-cost education, Florida’s universities are leaning in to produce top-tier talent to meet workforce needs, increase research capabilities, and retain the best and brightest faculty whose excellence and expertise provide the platform from which we create the future.”

Metrics considered by U.S. News & World Report include the time it takes students to complete two- and four-year college programs, the cost of in-state tuition and fees, and the debt burden that college graduates carry. Florida improved on two of the five metrics in the recent rankings, including four-year graduation rate and educational attainment. Florida remained No. 1 for the lowest tuition and fees.

The State University System recently announced a 12% five-year increase in graduation rates and a 49% year-over-year drop in the cost-to-the-student for a bachelor’s degree. Due to support from elected leaders and initiatives that drive down costs, the average State University System student pays less than $3,400 for a bachelor’s degree once financial aid is included. Additionally, 75% of resident undergrads had no loans during the 2020-21 academic year, up from 69% the previous year.

“This recognition affirms the incredible collaboration among our universities, our System, and Gov. DeSantis and our State Legislature to prioritize Florida’s students,” says Ray Rodrigues, chancellor of the State University System of Florida. “Accountability is key, and the state’s investments in performance-based funding have given our system the tools necessary for our students to achieve a higher quality of education, graduate faster, with little to no debt.”

Accountability is critical to the system’s continuing rise in productivity and reputation, and the state’s investments in performance-based funding have provided the tools necessary for this ranking. In the fall of 2020, the Board of Governors added a on the homepage that provides a transparent way for all interested parties to monitor the system’s performance on these prioritized metrics.

From reflecting on my own experience and asking other students, professionals and educators, here are 10 things I wish I knew before starting college.

1. It’s important to get involved.

I first came to �鶹ԭ�� in the spring of 2016 after receiving my associate degree at Valencia College. As an Orlando native, I always knew about �鶹ԭ�� but didn’t realize just how big the university is. I worried that since I was a junior upon arrival and didn’t live on campus, I wouldn’t be able to get involved in school without feeling like an outsider. Being a first-generation college student, I didn’t have a clue where to start. How was I supposed to find any friends if I couldn’t even find my classes?

Getting involved will be something that defines your college experience.

Luckily, the major I chose turned out to be a great fit for me. The classes I took in the allowed me to interact with my peers on a personal level and it only took a few weeks of stressing out over papers together to realize a lot of us were in the same situation and looking for ways to get involved. I joined the student ambassador program for my department and started getting to know and hang out with the people who were in my major. It’s amazing what a few events with free pizza can do to develop lifelong friendships.

�鶹ԭ�� is full of incredible resources, but it’s up to you to find them. Whether it’s finding a yoga meetup, taking care of your mental health, joining a campus club, or attending a resume workshop��with career services, getting involved will be something that defines your college experience.

2. Seek out scholarships and apply. No seriously, just apply.

Millions of dollars of scholarship money goes unclaimed each year, even as student loan debt has reached a collective $1.5 trillion in the United States. In other words, there’s no reason to not apply for free money. Even though �鶹ԭ�� is a best-value university with [more than 60%] of students graduating debt-free, there are a multitude of scholarships available to students depending on your degree programs, academic record and future goals.

Millions of dollars of scholarship money goes unclaimed each year.

Spending my first two years at a state college saved me a lot of money on tuition, but so did the decision to live at home until graduation. To help with car and travel expenses to campus, I held a part-time job or paid internship during each semester. It was hard working throughout all four years of college, but it taught me how to balance multiple responsibilities and be aware of my financial decisions.

In that balance, I’ve found that grades really do matter if you want to curb college expenses. Financial aid has been available to me every semester, but doing well in my classes has increased the amount of additional grant money available to me. Even if you don’t think you qualify, it never hurts to fill out an application for Federal Student Aid. You can also fill out a general application and see your matched scholarships through .

3. Focus on your plan instead of worrying about how you compare to others.

When I graduated from high school, I never pictured myself getting a four-year degree. My plan was to get a vocational degree in theatre tech so I could string some lights up at one of the theme parks in Orlando. After realizing the ��was a good fit for me, I ended up at �鶹ԭ�� without any regret for the journey that got me here.

One the most important things about college is that you will interact with people from all walks of life —different cultures, abilities, races, nationalities, aspirations and socio-economic backgrounds. Remember that every person has their own path, including you. While it will be tempting to think about the internship or job offers someone in your class has already gotten or the schools they’ve been accepted to, the important thing to remember is that you are doing things the way they best fit your learning experience. The world won’t stop revolving if you aren’t elected president of a club, change your major or stay an extra semester.

What matters is being prepared for the future you choose to create.

4. Take advantage of tutoring, advising and office hours.

Sometimes the semester comes at you fast. It can be tough to ask for help, but you’re never alone in the asking. Everyone has that one subject or class that’s a struggle. For me, it was statistical methods. It took going to tutoring every day after my class had ended to sit down and attempt to piece together what I had just learned. Even though math was never my strong suit, with tutoring I ended up passing my statistical methods course with one of the highest class averages.

Everyone has that one subject or class that’s a struggle.

There are reasons �鶹ԭ�� has resources such as ��that help you with assignments ranging from introductory composition assignments to full-length dissertations. Even if you’re a pro at viewing your degree audit and figuring out what classes to sign up for, advisors are here to make sure you’re taking the steps that will most benefit you. If a professor invites you to tutoring or open office hours, consider stopping by. Not only can you gain assistance or advice, but you’ll build rapport with them that will be memorable for future help and recommendation letters.

5. Explore your city.

There’s hardly ever been a better time to be in Orlando as a college student. The city is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States and is quickly becoming a destination city beyond the lure of theme parks. One of my favorite weekend things to do in Central Florida is to spend a day out at Wekiva Island —a lively riverfront spot about 30 minutes west of campus where you can rent kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. The best part? It’s dog friendly.

If you’re looking for local fun, try visiting one of Florida’s natural springs. Buy discount Disney tickets at the Student Union, eat at the delicious and creative , or feel the infectious energy coming from a wall of purple smoke at an Orlando City soccer game. The city has a lot to offer and there’s something for just about every interest.

6. Surround yourself with people who reflect who you want to be and how you want to feel.

Even though there’s fun to be had, college still requires time management and work.

It’s easier to focus on your own goals if your friends are taking their goals seriously. I had a friend from high school that I really cared about, but as I made my way through each semester, I could feel a sense of bitterness growing in our friendship because I started to become more involved in extracurricular activities at �鶹ԭ��. It was difficult to admit, but I knew things were changing for me, and my friend didn’t want to celebrate the things I was passionate about.

Sometimes it takes meeting new people to realize the ones you’ve kept around are no longer growing with you. You’ll want to hang out with people who encourage you to be your best self. Your friends won’t resent you if you have to say “no” to going out in order to study for an upcoming exam. Those who understand you will support you, and those who don’t aren’t really your friends.

7. Seek out advice from professionals in your field.

Finding a mentor can be highly beneficial to your professional development. If you’re unsure of what steps you should take after graduation, try asking your friends, family or professors to connect you with someone who is doing the kind of things you want to be doing. Someone who is new in their field can offer advice on how they got their start, which may give you ideas on where to begin, as well as be a contact within your network.

It’s never too early to get connected to the resources and people that will help your future.

Since starting at �鶹ԭ��, I always had an interest in how the fields of writing and public policy work together. In the spring of my senior semester, I participated in the ��program that sent me to live and work in Florida’s capital. Besides the incredible professional experience the program gave me, I also made lifelong friends and mentors. It’s never too early to get connected to the resources and people that will help your future.

8. Maintain your grades at the beginning to create a safety net for yourself later on.

GPA may not always be the defining factor in one’s career, but there’s little debate that the ability to get good grades and perform well in school reflects a strong work ethic and drive to learn. It can also lead to scholarships providing more money for your expenses.

At the beginning of each semester, strategically plan your time management so you get ahead for the term. If the material becomes more difficult later on, you’ll have some room to breathe. One of the things I always make sure to do during the first week is scout all the freebies being handed out on campus and look for the student planner. Getting into the habit of writing in a planner has done wonders for my ability to actually remember when I have quizzes due. Webcourses is usually reliable, but I’ve found that keeping physical notes about when things are due helps your grade more than you might imagine.

9. Enroll in one class you never thought you would take.��

If your program permits you the opportunity, you should take a course that challenges your beliefs or perspective. I’ll never forget the semester when I signed up for Ethics of Law. I needed to fill a requirement for my legal studies minor and ended up enrolled in a course on the death penalty. My professor was a defense attorney in Orlando and had incredible connections in the field. She brought in guest speakers that included a homicide detective and state prosecutor Jeff Ashton, who served on the Casey Anthony trial. I never imagined that simply enrolling in that course would introduce me to experts in the legal field, and an entire new way of looking at capital punishment.

Taking classes outside of your comfort zone will also make you think critically.

Taking classes outside of your comfort zone will also make you think critically, developing a valuable skill set for potential employers. Ask your advisors about interesting or new classes that would complement your curriculum. You may end up in a psychology course focusing on human-animal interaction or even a literature studies class on Harry Potter.

10. Find your interests and follow them.

If I had never chosen to pursue writing, you would probably have never read this.

When I first started at �鶹ԭ��, I ran into a former middle school teacher of mine who was taking students on a tour. He asked me what I was majoring in, and I told him a little about the writing department. He looked at me with sympathy and said, “Good luck finding a job.” Little did he know, I never needed luck. College isn’t about being lucky. It’s about building upon the knowledge you learn every day to get a little closer to your goals.

Life is too short to not do the things that interest and inspire you.

One of the things that makes college such a unique, transformational experience is that there are so many ways to discover your goals and discover the world. Life is too short to not do the things that interest and inspire you. Start a club that plays Super Smash Brothers in front of the Chick-fil-a on campus. Take a Zumba class at the rec center. Skip a party to watch movies with your roommate. Take your roommate to a party. Get politically involved. Win a national championship. Take cooking classes. Jump in the Reflecting Pond. Prove that Pluto actually is a planet.

Whatever you choose, the experience is yours. And �鶹ԭ�� is a great place to start.

Melissa Mitchum is a writing and rhetoric major and legal studies minor at �鶹ԭ��, and works as an intern for �鶹ԭ�� Downtown. When she’s not creating content for social media, she spends her time exploring Orlando with her French bulldog, Frank.

The annual ranking is frequently used by high school seniors to help decide where to go for college. Using 32 key indicators of academic, economic and social opportunities, the study compares more than 400 cities across the U.S. to determine the best college towns and cities.

“Experts have argued that a school’s geographical location is just as important as a strong curriculum and supportive school environment to a student’s academic success and personal development,” WalletHub stated in the rankings release. “It’s in students’ interest to live in a city with a reasonable cost of living, as well as one that provides good academic and work opportunities. The ideal city should also provide a fun social environment to help students deal with the stress of college.”

Orlando is also ranked No. 2 for Social Environment, No. 26 for Cost of Higher Education, No. 46 for Quality of Higher Education, No. 93 for Academic and Economic Opportunities and No. 138 for Wallet Friendliness. Among the factors considered for the rankings are tuition costs, student loan debt, housing costs, city accessibility, student population demographics, presence of NCAA Division 1 sport teams, earning potential of graduates and entrepreneurial activity.

With 57% of first-time-in-college students at �鶹ԭ�� graduating without any educational debt, Knight Nation is not only a great place to pursue a college degree, but one that sets students up for success after graduation. Orlando is home to headquarters for major tech and aerospace companies, such as EA, Lockheed Martin and Siemens, and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is located nearby. With more than 17,000 Knights graduating each year, �鶹ԭ�� supplies the high-quality education and industry connections graduates need to land prosperous careers — as well as the talent needed for these dynamic tech industries.

In October, WalletHub also ranked �鶹ԭ�� No. 133 out of the top 500 Best Colleges and Universities.

In September, Washington Monthly ranked �鶹ԭ�� as the 47^th Best National University and No. 7 in the southeast for Best Bang for the Buck College. U.S. News & World Report also recently ranked �鶹ԭ�� as the No. 64 Public School in the nation — the highest the university has placed in this category — and 41^st for social mobility among public schools. Last year, Education Reform Now ranked �鶹ԭ�� Earlier this year, Education Reform Now ranked �鶹ԭ�� No. 2 in the nation for��social mobility��impact.

And with that, Jeanette Marie Reynoso received some of the worst advice ever given by a college counselor. Reynoso was shocked. She thought the indifference and casual cruelty she encountered in her youth was behind her. But she dried her tears, picked herself up and enrolled in Seminole State College, the first step on a path that has led her to �鶹ԭ�� and halfway to realizing a lifelong dream.

“I’ve wanted to be a teacher my entire life,” says Reynoso. “I was that kid who would ask for a blackboard for Christmas and I would teach to my stuffed animals. When my cousins came over, I would make them worksheets on notebook paper.”

But her own experience with schooling — and with life — started out rocky. As a young girl growing up in Bergen County, New Jersey, Reynoso never knew her father. Then, at the age of 12, her mother dropped her off at a sleepover and never came back. Reynoso’s sixth-grade reading teacher helped her get into foster care, but the group home she ended up at didn’t allow her to attend school. A teacher would visit regularly, but the lessons were basic and unstructured.

“I read hundreds of books because we weren’t allowed to watch TV,” Reynoso says. “That was really where my love of reading started.”

Reynoso moved on from that facility at 14 and was finally able to attend high school. But having gone without formal instruction for so long, she struggled. Reynoso dropped out a year later and started working full time. Then, when she turned 18, she aged out of the foster care system.

“The director of the group home said, ‘The state won’t pay for you to stay here anymore,’ and I asked her what I was supposed to do,’” says Reynoso. “She said ‘A lot of people go to college,’ and I said ‘OK, I guess I’ll do that.’”

Reynoso got good scores on the SATs and was accepted to all five colleges to which she had applied. She settled on Fairleigh Dickinson College because it was right around the corner from her group home. For the first time in years, Reynoso was felt hope, pride and a sense that the worst might be behind her. But those positive thoughts were shattered on move-in day at the college.

“I got there and everything was out of my league,” says Reynoso. “Everyone was there with their parents, moving into the dorm, and I showed up by myself carrying a black plastic bag. I had the clothes I had taken from my group home and that was it. I remember just crying my eyes out. That was in August and I only made it to October before I left.”

After her false start in college, Reynoso spent a year volunteering for AmeriCorps, an experience that rekindled her passion for teaching.

“My year in AmeriCorps was in one of the roughest school districts in New Jersey, and it was the most transformative year of my life,” says Reynoso. “I wrote an after-school literacy program for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade.”

Not long after that, Reynoso met Miguel, the man who would become her husband. Suddenly, she went from having no family to being embraced by a huge one.

“When I was in the foster care system, I didn’t have any family,” Reynoso says. “When my husband and I met, I said ‘Tell me about your family,’ and he said ‘Well, I have 12 aunts and uncles and dozens of cousins.’”

Most of her husband’s family lived in Florida, so they decided to move to the Orlando area. After having three children, Reynoso decided to go back to school to be a teacher. She started inquiring at local colleges, which led to that disheartening interaction with an academic advisor.

“I left that meeting in tears. I said to myself, ‘What was I thinking? I’m meant to be a stay-at-home mom,’ ” Reynoso says. “My husband said, ‘Do not let this one person dictate your future.’ ”

With support from her husband, she enrolled at Seminole State College and immediately set about proving the advisor wrong. Reynoso earned straight A’s throughout her time at SSC and finished with a 4.0 GPA, all while balancing her classwork with her responsibilities at home.

After earning her associates degree, Reynoso took advantage of the DirectConnect program to continue her schooling at �鶹ԭ��. At first, the transition was overwhelming.

“The first time I stepped foot on campus, in January 2020, I remember thinking, ‘What am I doing?,’ ” says Reynoso. “There were flyers up everywhere for different clubs and events and I’m thinking ‘Yeah, I go to bed at nine o’clock. How am I going to fit in here?’”

It didn’t take long, however, for Reynoso to settle in and start taking advantage of the some of the programs �鶹ԭ�� offers to support students.

“I saw a flyer that said ‘Get on the Knight track.’ If you took a bunch of different steps, like meeting with an academic advisor, going to two workshops and meeting with SARC (the Student Academic Resource Center), you’d get a $500 scholarship,” says Reynoso. “That’s how I ended up applying for McNair Scholars. It was a catalyst for all of these really cool things that I got to do.”

Then along came COVID. Ironically, some of the same pandemic-driven changes that caused many students to struggle actually helped Reynoso excel.

“Moving classes online made it really easy for me to be active and participate in things where I wouldn’t have been able to be on campus in person,” Reynoso says. “Some meet ups were at six in the evening, when I’d be in the middle of making dinner for my family. But I could Zoom while throwing together a salad. In this case, technology really helped me feel integrated and feel like I belonged.”

Fast forward a couple of years and Reynoso has excelled in her pursuit of her elementary education degree. ��She participated in the Phillips Academy Institute for Recruitment of Teachers (IRT) summer program, which prepares future educators to pursue advanced degrees. Last summer, Reynoso also studied virtually at Vanderbilt University as part of the Leadership Alliance summer research program.

In addition to all of her other responsibilities at school and at home, Reynoso finds time to volunteer, helping students through a number of �鶹ԭ�� programs, including Saturday reading camps and the university’s bookmobile initiative, which gives away free books to kids who don’t have access to a library. Reynoso also volunteers on an ongoing basis at the ACE (Academic Center of Excellence) school in the Parramore neighborhood of Orlando.

All this experience in the field left Reynoso well prepared for her current role as a full-time student teacher at Bentley Elementary School in Seminole County.

“When it was time for me to be in my own classroom, I was ready,” she says.

On the cusp of both graduating and turning 36, she’s still not done proving that old advisor wrong. Reynoso was recently accepted into the �鶹ԭ�� master’s program for elementary education. From there, she hopes to become a “triple knight,” earning her doctorate in the same subject. Ultimately, Reynoso wants to become the superintendent of a school district, a position that will allow her to exercise her love of teaching while “trickling down” some of the lessons she’s learned over years of being involved in education and activism.

Her message to other parents is to not shy away from filling up their days in pursuit if their dreams.

“One of the biggest misconceptions about going to college is that there’s a point in time when you’re too old to do it,” says Reynoso. “It’s not easy juggling childcare and pickups and making meals and all those other things.�� But you can do this. School is for you, and you can join clubs and meet people and be a part of things.”

“I’m so glad I took the leap,” she says. “Being a Knight really has changed my life.”