After extensive analysis and in-depth number-crunching, WalletHub has released its highly anticipated 2025 College & University Rankings, recognizing three Tampa Bay schools among the nation’s best.
The Cost of College in 2025
According to WalletHub, the average yearly cost for tuition, room, and board at a four-year college ranges between $28,000 and $60,000. WalletHub’s rankings aim to highlight “top-performing schools” with the most affordable costs for undergraduates. To achieve this, they evaluated 822 colleges and universities across the country, assessing 30 key measures in seven comprehensive categories.
WalletHub’s 7 Key Ranking Categories
WalletHub’s analysis focused on these seven essential categories:
- Student Selectivity
- Cost and Financing
- Faculty Resources
- Campus Safety
- Campus Experience
- Educational Outcomes
- Career Outcomes
University of South Florida: Top College in Tampa Bay
Among the 822 schools evaluated, the University of South Florida (USF) secured the No. 150 spot nationally, ranking No. 3 in Florida and No. 1 in the Tampa Bay area. USF performed exceptionally well in student admissions and earned a mid-range score for its campus experience.
Florida Polytechnic University’s Strong Career Outcomes
Next on the list is Florida Polytechnic University, which WalletHub placed at No. 188 nationally. This institution also ranked No. 9 in career outcomes nationwide, marking a significant achievement. Recent growth has seen Florida Poly reach its highest enrollment figures, reinforcing its ambitious goal of expanding its student body.
In a statement, WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo explained, “Universities often rank higher than colleges due to their inclusion of graduate programs, greater on-campus opportunities, and higher earnings for graduates.”
Florida Southern College: A Leading Experience in Lakeland
Florida Southern College in Lakeland rounded out the list for Tampa Bay schools, ranked No. 351 overall. With 3,073 students and 130 full-time faculty members, the college achieved high marks in the category of campus experience, placing it in the top percentile.
Florida’s Top Colleges and Nationwide Leaders
Across Florida, the University of Florida took the top spot, followed closely by the University of Miami in second. Nationally, Princeton University topped the university rankings, with Yale University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Dartmouth College rounding out the top five.
For colleges, the leaders were Swarthmore, Hamilton, Amherst, Wellesley, and Harvey Mudd.
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