Powerful innovation changes more than technology. Put to work for UCF students, it expands what they can learn, discover and achieve.

Across UCF, innovation takes shape through meaningful experiences. Students navigate patient care through immersive simulations, explore new possibilities for prosthetics, and learn from world-class faculty who bring industry expertise and mentorship into the classroom.

That approach has helped place UCF among the nation鈥檚 top five most innovative public universities and earn recognition as Florida鈥檚 most innovative university for the 10th consecutive year, according to the 2027 Best Colleges rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report.

鈥淲e are proud to see UCF recognized as Florida鈥檚 most innovative university and among the best in the nation for the opportunities we provide our students,鈥� says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淥ur students work alongside outstanding faculty, contribute to meaningful research and gain experience taking on real problems. We want them to graduate from UCF knowing what they are capable of and ready to put that experience to work in our state and beyond.鈥�

The distinction reflects the university鈥檚 commitment to elevating how students learn, how discoveries are made and how higher education strengthens the state it serves.

Preparing Talent That Strengthens Florida

For UCF nursing students, learning to care for critically ill patients can begin well before they enter a hospital room.

At UCF鈥檚 Helene Fuld Health Trust Simulation, Technology, Innovation and Modeling (STIM) Center, a global leader in healthcare simulation education, nursing students build patient care skills in realistic clinical environments.

“[We] continue to evolve the way we teach our nursing students because healthcare and technology are constantly evolving.” 鈥� Frances Armstrong, UCF clinical assistant professor

Clinical Assistant Professor and Graduate Simulation Coordinator Frances Armstrong recently combined鈥痶he center鈥檚 immersive cave, a virtual ventilator and an artificial intelligence-enhanced platform to create a simulation for acute care nurse practitioner DNP students. The experience brings theory to life, challenging students to apply what they鈥檝e learned as they prepare for the complexities of patient care.

鈥淚t’s鈥痠mportant for us to continue to evolve the way we teach our nursing students because healthcare and technology are constantly evolving,鈥� Armstrong says. 鈥淥ne of the main ways to do that is by being innovative.鈥�

That impact extends beyond the classroom. UCF has educated more than 17,000 Knight nursing alumni to date, with over 80% living and working in Florida. Our undergraduate nursing program also ranks among the top 50 public universities nationally.

When Research Meets the Real World

UCF also ranks among the nation鈥檚 top 15 public universities for Best Undergraduate Teaching and top 10 for public universities for Best Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects 鈥� and is the only Florida university recognized in the latter category. Those strengths converge as students work alongside faculty to answer questions without obvious solutions.

More than 2,000 UCF undergraduate students conduct research each year. For computer science graduate student Eugenio Diaz 鈥�26, that opportunity began as a sophomore through a research event that matches students with faculty experts.

There, he connected with Mohsen Rakhshan, an assistant professor in . Together, they began exploring a question with life-changing potential: Could technology help a prosthetic hand recognize what it touches?

Their project, 鈥淭exture Classification Using Neuromorphically Encoded Tactile Sensing Data,鈥� combines AI, neuroscience and engineering to identify textures from tactile data. The technology relies on spiking neural networks, which more closely mimic how biological neurons communicate. The research could eventually help prostheses restore a sense of touch.

“This project showed me how satisfying it can be to take [theoretical] ideas … and turn them into something that addresses a tangible problem.” 鈥� Eugenio Diaz 鈥�26, UCF student

Diaz helped redesign the data-collection system, train models, analyze results and author a paper now under review.

Progress wasn’t immediate. For months, the models performed little better than random guessing. Guided by Rakhshan, Diaz kept experimenting until accuracy surpassed 80%.

鈥淢entoring undergraduate students is both teaching and research,鈥� Rakhshan says. 鈥淚 try to teach students how to think and guide them to find answers to what is known and unknown.鈥�

For Diaz, the breakthrough revealed what his skills could accomplish.

鈥淭his project showed me how satisfying it can be to take ideas that are interesting theoretically and turn them into something that addresses a tangible problem,鈥� Diaz says.

Putting More Opportunity Within Reach

Experiences like these have a greater impact when more students can reach them.

UCF is among the nation鈥檚 top 30 public universities for Best Value for In-State Students.

Value goes beyond the cost of a UCF degree. It鈥檚 reflected in the opportunities students have to learn and collaborate with faculty experts, contribute to hands-on research, work with emerging technology and develop skills that prepare them for graduate study and the workforce.

Together, the rankings reinforce innovation with a clear purpose: creating more possibilities for students to learn, discover and build what鈥檚 next.

To see the full list of U.S. News & World Report rankings, visit ucf.edu/academics/us-news-rankings.

贵辞谤听seven consecutive years, the听Rosen College of Hospitality Management听谤补苍办蝉听No. 1 in the nation听for Hospitality and Tourism Management Programs, according to听ShanghaiRanking鈥檚 2026 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.

鈥淭he ranking recognizes what Rosen College has accomplished over the past two decades,鈥� Rosen College Dean Cynthia Mejia says. 鈥淲hat excites me most is how we build on that foundation. Our goal is to influence the future of hospitality through the students we educate, the research we produce, the partnerships we create and the solutions we help develop for the industry’s most important challenges.鈥�

Additionally, UCF ranks听No. 2 in the nation听for Transportation Science and Technology 鈥� and in the top 10 for the seventh year in a row. The recognition reflects the breadth of research underway across UCF to develop solutions and advancements for the future of the transportation industry while improving safety and mobility on the nation鈥檚 most critical and busiest roadways.

鈥淚 am happy that our hard work and expanding our transportation faculty have paid off in this continuous recognition,鈥� UCF Pegasus Professor Mohamed Abdel-Aty says. 鈥淲e have opened new fronts in transportation systems, technology and ideas looking to the future. We balance traditional transportation research with cutting-edge and high-impact new directions.鈥�

The rankings represent significant industries that drive international economies with travel and tourism contributing to a global GDP (gross domestic product) of $11.6 trillion and supporting about one in every nine jobs around the world, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council鈥檚 2025 report.

The ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects evaluates universities by academic discipline using research-focused indicators, these include measures related to research output, research quality, international collaboration and academic influence.

A Global Leader in Hospitality and Tourism Research

Located in the nation鈥檚 top tourism destination, Rosen College students, faculty and staff are embedded in industry, allowing them to directly explore emerging areas in the field.

鈥淭his ranking reflects the depth, quality and consistency of the research being produced by our faculty,鈥� Manuel Rivera, associate dean of research at Rosen College says. 鈥淭o be recognized once again among the world’s leading hospitality and tourism programs is a testament to the collective efforts of our faculty, students, alumni and industry partners. The ranking recognizes the foundation Rosen College has built over the past two decades. Building on that foundation, Rosen College is helping shape the future of hospitality through impactful research, innovation, industry partnerships and the development of future leaders.鈥�

Faculty research spans areas including tourism, lodging, events, food service, consumer behavior, technology, and the management of destinations and hospitality organizations, including:

• HFTP Professor of Hospitality Financial Management and Technology Mehmet Altin鈥檚 study on entrepreneurial ecosystems in hospitality and tourism with a comparative analysis across economic contexts, which was published in Tourism Economics.
• Associate Professor Yun Ying Zhong, a research faculty member of UCF鈥檚 Disability, Aging and Technology faculty cluster initiative, completed a systematic review of 30-year research on hospitality in healthcare, which was published in the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management.
• Assistant Professor Frank Badu-Baiden鈥檚 study of the factors influencing consumers鈥� acceptance of drone food delivery, including the role of usefulness, emotions and perceived risk, which was published in the International Journal of Hospitality Management.

The No. 1 ShanghaiRanking placement builds on Rosen College鈥檚 continued excellence in curriculum, research and workforce impact as Universal Destinations & Experiences (UDX) joined UCF as a Pegasus Partner in June to establish the Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation. Through this partnership, UCF and UDX will further explore:

• Service robotics and human-centered approaches to shape guest and employee interactions

• AR and VR simulation technologies for training, operations, and immersive environments
• AI and digital twins for optimizing and personalizing the guest experience

Advancing Transportation Safety and Technology

With more than 23.4 million residents in 2025, Florida is the nation鈥檚 third most populated state, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In the same year, the Sunshine State welcomed 143.3 million visitors听as America鈥檚 No. 1 domestic travel destination, according to Visit Florida.

As residents and tourists navigate around the state, UCF researchers are working to improve transportation challenges related to roadway safety, emerging mobility technologies and other areas.

Abdel-Aty and Associate Professor Shaurya Agarwal lead multiple projects funded by U.S. and Florida Departments of Transportation to develop safety plans and demonstrate technologies across various Florida counties.

One examines Florida鈥檚 Regional Advanced Mobility Elements, or IFRAME, project along Interstate 4 between Orlando and Tampa. The study is evaluating the performance of advanced transportation technologies to inform decisions about future investments to enhance safety and mobility.

Research Assistant Professor Zubayer Islam and Abdel-Aty鈥檚 Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) project 鈥� the first of its kind in the Southeast 鈥� evaluates the effectiveness and enhancements of the agency’s Flex Lanes Program on sections of its expressway. It is the latest development in UCF鈥檚 longstanding partnership with the CFX.

For nearly 14 years, UCF has worked to make highways safer by tackling wrong-way driving, one of the nation鈥檚 deadliest roadway hazards. An international expert in transportation engineering, planning and operations, Professor Haitham Al-Deek, in partnership with CFX, designed, implemented and evaluated wrong-way driving and prevention system technology to detect and deter wrong-way driving on high-speed roads. Deployed across the CFX system, it has achieved an 88.5% driver self-correction rate, the highest known worldwide, which is well supported by the largest amount of data collected on the performance of the invented technology.

Al-Deek and his students also invented the nation鈥檚 first algorithm to help transportation agencies identify wrong-way driving hotspots and prioritize improvements for greatest safety impact with maximum economic efficiency. Through competitively won contracts at state and national levels, this algorithm was implemented for five transportation networks throughout Florida and Idaho.

鈥淎ccording to the data we collected, the deployed lifesaving technology on CFX transportation network helped 2,541 out of the detected 2,870 wrong-way drivers self-correct and turn around safely as of June 2026,鈥� Al-Deek says.

Research That Translates to Daily Impact

UCF鈥檚 performance in transportation science and technology and hospitality and tourism management reflects two distinct research strengths while also demonstrating how the university is improve daily life across the region, state and nation. The 2026 ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects also show UCF is making an impact in Public Administration as the No. 11 program in the nation and Law as the No. 25 program across the U.S.

The university also ranks No. 4 among universities in the Southeast and the No. 28 Best College for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars. UCF delivers more for Florida with significantly less state funding, at a cost of $24,567 per degree 鈥� the lowest in the State 海角直播 System.

Washington Monthly evaluates universities based on their contributions to the public good, measuring factors such as social mobility, research and service. The rankings highlight colleges that help students achieve economic success while advancing their communities and the nation.

鈥淚nstead of rewarding colleges for their exclusivity, prestige and wealth, our 2026听Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars听ranking measures how much they help ordinary middle- and working-class students get ahead in life, and whether they encourage those students to participate in their democracy,鈥� Washinton Monthly stated in its release. 鈥淭o do well on our ranking, colleges must recruit students of modest means without overcharging them on tuition or loading them with too much debt, then help them graduate with degrees that bring in decent incomes.鈥�

The sustained recognition reflects UCF鈥檚 continued commitment to expanding access to higher education, supporting student achievement and producing nearly 19,000 workforce-ready graduates annually 鈥� the most in Florida.

About 37% of undergraduate students at UCF are Pell-grant eligible, signaling the university serves a significant number of students with exceptional financial need. The university helps these students transform opportunity into upward mobility with less of a financial burden than many other schools 鈥� as 70% of first-time-in-college students graduate without any educational debt from UCF.

The latest ranking adds to a growing list of national accolades for UCF. Last week, Niche named UCF a Grade A university and ranked it No. 19 in the nation for Best Student Life, recognizing the university鈥檚 vibrant campus experience, student engagement and overall quality of life.

Together, the rankings underscore UCF鈥檚 distinctive combination of academic excellence, affordability and an unmatched student experience, reinforcing its reputation as one of the nation鈥檚 most impactful public universities.

To mark this historic achievement, the State 海角直播 System will launch Florida 10 for 10: Celebrating a Decade of Leading Higher Education, a statewide competitive scholarship initiative awarding up to $1,000 to 10 full-time undergraduate students at each participating university.

The听10听scholarships听awarded听to UCF students听will be available听through the听university鈥檚听.听To apply, students听are required to听submit听a written essay or a video essay explaining why they chose to pursue higher education in Florida and why they selected UCF. Applications听will open Monday, Aug. 3,听and听are due Oct.听2.

鈥淔lorida鈥檚 Board of Governors cares about one thing, first and foremost 鈥� student achievement.鈥� 鈥� Alan Levin, Florida Board of Governors chair

In addition to听the Florida 10 for 10听scholarships, students听will听also听be able听to complete their听general听scholarship applications听through听the听,听which connects them听with hundreds of scholarships听through UCF colleges and departments.听In听fiscal year 2025听alone,听UCF awarded more than听3,200 scholarships and over $7.5 million to听students.

鈥淔lorida鈥檚 Board of Governors cares about one thing, first and foremost听鈥斕齭tudent achievement,鈥� says听Board of Governors Chair Alan Levine. 鈥淧arents and students know that when they choose Florida鈥檚 system of higher education, they are investing in a degree that has value. Our students graduate with low or no debt, and they have high-value jobs they can compete for. That is what students,听parents听and taxpayers rightly expect. Student success is behind every decision we make as Florida鈥檚 governing body for higher education.鈥�

鈥淚 am deeply proud to lead and represent the No. 1 public university system in the nation,鈥漵ays State 海角直播 System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues.鈥淎t a time when confidence in higher education is being tested, Florida has remained focused on improving student outcomes and ensuring academic programs are grounded in merit and excellence. By prioritizing skills and qualifications, our universities are developing the next generation of leaders for Florida and the nation. I thank our university leadership, faculty and staff whose dedication and commitment make this success possible every day.鈥�

鈥淥ur decade of nationwide higher education leadership reflects a commitment to excellence, opportunity and innovation.鈥� 鈥� Alexander N. Cartwright, UCF president

鈥淔lorida鈥檚 future is being built by the talent developed across our State 海角直播 System. Our decade of nationwide higher education leadership reflects a commitment to excellence,听opportunity听and innovation,鈥� says听UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淭his recognition illustrates what is possible when universities align education with rapidly evolving societal needs. As Florida鈥檚 Technological 海角直播, UCF is proud to produce in-demand talent at an unmatched scale while preparing the tech-literate professionals who will shape Florida鈥檚 next generation of prosperity.鈥�

That leadership is reflected in outcomes that matter most to students and families. Florida鈥檚 public universities compete successfully on听the听national stage, ensuring graduates earn high鈥憅uality degrees and move confidently into their careers and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Additional听Florida higher education highlights include:

• No.听1 in the nation for lowest in-state tuition

• No.听1 for attracting and developing a skilled workforce

• Seven听State 海角直播听System institutions ranked in the听nation鈥檚听top 100听public universities

• 80%听of in-state students听attend听a听State 海角直播听System institution without a federal student loan

• Nearly 75%听of graduates听are听employed听or continuing their education,听with听a median salary of $52,600 within one year听of听graduation

UCF produces nearly 19,000 graduates annually, the most of any State 海角直播 System institution, and many work in high-demand fields such as engineering and nursing that are vital to Florida鈥檚 future. UCF also is the nation鈥檚 leading provider of graduates to the aerospace and defense industries, according to Aviation Week.

UCF听is听among听the nation鈥檚听10听Most听Innovative听Schools among听public universities,听as ranked by听U.S. News & World Report.听This听month听UCF听was ranked among the top 10听by听SmartAsset听for America鈥檚听Best听Value听Public Universities.

海角直播 leaders across the state credit collaboration,听accountability听and sustained investment for the听State 海角直播听System鈥檚 success.

U.S. News & World Report听State Rankings evaluate key metrics, including听educational attainment, graduation rates,听affordability听and federal student loan debt.

Four outstanding undergraduate students are redefining the boundaries of STEM through their high-impact research 鈥� and in doing so, placing the university among the nation鈥檚 top producers of Goldwater Scholars.

The prestigious Goldwater Scholarship identifies and supports the nation鈥檚 best student researchers in the fields of engineering, mathematics and natural sciences.

This year鈥檚 honorees 鈥� all expected to graduate next spring 鈥� have propelled UCF into an elite tier of research institutions, surpassing several Ivy League institutions and tying for fourth in the nation in total Goldwater Scholars produced alongside Stanford 海角直播, the 海角直播 of Notre Dame and the 海角直播 of Chicago. Their impactful work reflects UCF’s commitment to building a high-level research environment that empowers students to lead projects addressing significant global and scientific challenges.

Supporting Space Exploration

Goldwater Scholar: Keanu Brayman

Major: Mechanical engineering

Ultimate Goal: To develop robotic systems to support human exploration on Mars.

Keanu Brayman鈥檚 passion for space began early.

鈥淥ne of my earliest memories is watching a Space Shuttle streak across the sky from a beach in South Florida,鈥� Brayman says. 鈥淚 remember being amazed there were people on board and feeling drawn to one day help explore the stars and discover what lies beyond our planet.鈥�

At UCF, Brayman has refined that dream with the support of faculty and mentors 鈥� including Department of Physics Chair and Professor Adrienne Dove, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Tarek Elgohary and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Engineer Christopher Proctor 鈥� as well as through programs like the .

He plans to pursue a doctoral degree in aerospace engineering to support lunar exploration and NASA鈥檚 Artemis program, as well as develop robotic systems that can extract resources and build infrastructure to support human exploration on Mars.

Engineering the Brain

Goldwater Scholar: Kyle Coutray

Majors: Computer engineering and biomedical sciences

Ultimate Goal: To research ways to restore communication, movement and cognitive function to the brain through engineering methods.

Kyle Coutray is focused on the intersection of neuroscience and technology.

鈥淚鈥檓 interested in building systems that interact directly with the brain,鈥� Coutray says. 鈥淚n the lab, 鈥� [I鈥檓] blending [both majors] into one approach.鈥�

He aims to pursue a doctoral degree in neural engineering to further his research on brain-computer interfaces that translate complex brain activity into useful functions.

A 2026 Order of Pegasus inductee and a Burnett Honors Scholar, Coutray credits his success to disciplined focus and strong mentorship, particularly from Charles N. Millican Professor of Computer Science Joseph LaViola and Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Helen Huang.

Advancing Patient Care

Goldwater Scholar: Varun Nannuri

Major: Molecular and cellular biology

Ultimate Goal: To pursue a career as a physician-scientist.

Varun Nannuri is driven by a desire to understand why people experience different health outcomes and improve care.

“Through my clinical experiences, I have seen how much patients and families rely on physicians during some of the most difficult moments of their lives,” Nannuri says. “My research experiences have shown me that better care depends on asking better questions.”

Nannuri plans to pursue a dual M.D./Ph.D. degree and become a physician-scientist. His ambition earned him recognition as a 2026 Order of Pegasus inductee while also completing his Honors Undergraduate Thesis. Nannuri is also a member of the Burnett Honors College as a Burnett Medical Scholar, a program that offers guaranteed admission to the UCF College of Medicine upon completion.

鈥淯CF has given me opportunities to grow as a student, researcher, leader and future physician,鈥� Nannuri says.

Restoring Human Senses

Goldwater Scholar: Trevor Overton

Majors: Electrical engineering and biomedical sciences

Ultimate Goal: To improve the lives of people with disabilities through advanced robotic prostheses.

Burnett Honors Scholar Trevor Overton鈥檚 work centers on neuroengineering and next-generation prosthetics.

鈥淚鈥檝e always had a passion for building things, and I also love reading and watching sci-fi,鈥� Overton says. 鈥淲hen UCF offered me the opportunity to join the MEDD [ 鈥� I knew I had to take it.鈥�

UCF鈥檚 MEDD program provides scientifically driven students like Overton with a unique opportunity to integrate engineering principles into medicine.

Much like the development of cochlear implants, Overton imagines similar breakthroughs with vision and touch.

鈥淚 envision a future where robotic prostheses are so advanced that they could completely replace or enhance the abilities of humans,鈥� Overton says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not entirely impossible.鈥�

After earning a doctoral degree in electrical engineering with a focus on neuroengineering, he hopes to inspire the next generation 鈥� just as his professors inspired him 鈥� emphasizing that UCF鈥檚 strength lies in professors who actively invest in their students.

A Growing Research Powerhouse

With four 2026 Goldwater Scholarship recipients, UCF continues to strengthen its position as a leader in undergraduate research. The achievement reflects both students鈥� immense dedication and a university-wide commitment to driving innovation, mentorship and hands-on discovery. As these Knights prepare for the next steps in their academic journeys, they carry forward a shared mission: to turn research into real-world impact.

Students interested in applying for the Goldwater Scholarship or other major national awards should contact the Office of Prestigious Awards at听opa@ucf.edu.

UCF has earned a 听signaling the university鈥檚 growing support for military and veteran students. This is the first year UCF has earned the听Gold听designation, following听many听years听as a听Silver听awardee.

鈥淭his recognition reflects years of intentional work across the university to better support military-connected students,鈥� says Andrea Guzm谩n, UCF vice president for access and community engagement. 鈥淲e鈥檝e focused on building stronger support systems, removing barriers, and ensuring students have clear pathways from enrollment through career.鈥�

In addition to our Gold Award and recognition as a Military Friendly Spouse School, UCF has been previously designated as a Purple Heart Institution, Florida Purple Star Campus, Best Military-Friendly Online College and听Military Times鈥櫶� 2025 Best for Vets Colleges List.

Today about听4,000听military-connected听students听are enrolled听at UCF, and there are a听range of services coordinated through the Office of Military and Veteran Student Success (MVSS) to support them:

Holistic Programming

• An orientation dedicated听for听military-connected students and their families

• Expanded student engagement and social activities, which include families and military veterans within our community

• Collaboration with 听affiliates, most notably Valencia College, to streamline transition for transfer students

Academic Resources

• Peer-to-peer tutoring in courses with high drop or fail rates

• VA Work Study and university academic coaching programs prepare and train military-connected students to provide academic coaching to their peers

Career Readiness

• Industry partnerships听鈥� including听Amazon, JE Technology and Disney 鈥斕齮hat provide opportunity and engagement through mentorships,听internships听and career fairs

• Range of workshops, lunch and learns and professional development opportunities

Access to Financial Support听

• Established an endowed scholarship to provide assistance to military-connected students

• Potential for 鈥渕eal plan鈥� grants, emergency relief funds, tuition and fee waivers, and housing subsidies as part of co-curricular and academic support programs

• Participates in the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs鈥� Yellow Ribbon Program, a tuition assistance initiative for veterans and eligible dependents

Additionally, MVSS听empowers UCF鈥檚 faculty and staff through professional development opportunities with strategies and tips on how to best serve and engage with听military-connected听students.

A new liaison program has been piloted in the last year, placing an MVSS staff member with VA work study students at the听Rosen College of Hospitality Management听and听UCF Downtown听to increase support services for military-connected students at those campus locations.听In听Fall听2026, the program is expected to expand to听the College of Business, College of听Sciences听and College of Arts and Humanities.

鈥淭he support the office provides is some of the most efficient and effective support I have encountered at UCF,鈥� says听finance听major听Abigail Kost. 鈥淚 have scored interviews from career fairs and connections from lunch and听learns. The office is also a pillar of emotional wellbeing and has helped me navigate VA benefits and scholarship opportunities. I would not have come as far as I have without the office鈥檚 resources.鈥�

UCF: Committed to Serving Veterans

UCF鈥檚 commitment to serving veterans is not singularly confined to听our听Office of Military and Veteran Student Success.

In January,鈥�U.S. News & World Report鈥痳anked听UCF No. 6 for online bachelor鈥檚 programs for veterans.

UCF is home to鈥�, a nonprofit clinical research center and treatment clinic听established听to鈥�change the way post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related concerns are understood, diagnosed, and treated.

Led by UCF Trustee Chair and Pegasus Professor Deborah Beidel, who is currently听, the organization employs a unique and effective approach to treatment. A combination of exposure therapy, emerging technology and individual and group therapy sessions resulted in 66% of participants with combat-related trauma and 76% of first responders no longer meeting the diagnostic criteria for PTSD following three weeks of intensive treatment.

Last year,听UCF became one of 12 universities nationwide听鈥� and the only school in Florida and the southeast 鈥斕齮o participate听in a new Service to Service initiative. The national pilot program is dedicated to connecting veterans and their families with graduate educational pathways in public service and helping them find impactful long-term careers in public leadership.

A partnership between UCF College of Medicine and Orlando VA Medical Center听听鈥斕齦ocated听next door to each other in Lake Nona鈥檚 Medical City 鈥斕齟nsures every medical student听receives training in specialties including surgery, internal medicine,听neurology听and psychiatry at the Orlando VA Medical Center.

UCF鈥檚 history department has been documenting veterans鈥� stories听as part of the Library of Congress鈥櫶齎eterans History Project听since听2010.听UCF鈥檚 Veterans Legacy Program, which was founded in 2017 as a partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration, focuses on documenting the lives of those buried in Florida鈥檚 nine national cemeteries.

About Military Friendly

Founded in 2003, Military Friendly is an organization that measures organizations鈥� commitment, effort, and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefit for the military community.

Military Friendly Schools strive toward and succeed in the areas that matter most in helping veterans make the transition from the military to school and, ultimately, satisfying careers in the civilian world. Earning the designation shows a school meets the minimum criteria.

Military Friendly鈥檚 final ratings for its Schools list were determined by combining each institution鈥檚 survey responses, government/agency public data sources, and measurements across retention, graduation, job placement, repayment, persistence, and loan default rates for all students and specifically, for student-veterans.

Tomorrow鈥檚 leading video game developers are听being built today at UCF.

The university鈥檚 graduate video gaming program, , and undergraduate program continue to develop a pipeline of听talent to fuel Florida鈥檚 economy听at a standard of excellence few can match, affirmed by The Princeton Review and PC Gamer鈥檚 Top Video Game Design Schools 2026 rankings.

The Princeton Review and听PC Gamer听has recognized FIEA as one of the top two programs of its kind in the world six of the past seven years.

GaIM improved two spots from last year to its highest ranking, rising to No. 3 in the world. Both programs continue to hold the title of No. 1 in the South.

Strategy for Success

Since their inception, FIEA and GaIM have modeled their classrooms as close to a real-world, studio-like environment as possible, led by faculty with industry experience. That real-world perspective shapes every course, every project and every student who graduates.

鈥淥ur program intentionally emulates a collaborative ecosystem with a range of diverse talent in artists, designers and programmers, which is crucial to developing products and intellectual property,鈥� says Nicholas Zuccarello, a 3D art instructor at FIEA who has previously worked for Sony Online Entertainment and Electronic Arts Tiburon. 鈥淲e even structure projects to emulate real-world development pipelines as closely as possible within an educational setting.鈥�

Orlando: A Leading Tech Hub

With Electronic Arts (EA) and Iron听Galaxy Studios located less than a mile from听the programs鈥� home base in downtown鈥檚 , Orlando is the perfect setting to transition from college to career and now mentioned in the same breath alongside traditional tech-giant territories San Francisco, Seattle听and Los Angeles.

Many alums go directly into the game industry including Epic, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony and more.

FIEA has graduated 1,160 students since its first class in 2006 鈥� about 100 of whom worked on several of the most popular games sold in the U.S. in 2025, including EA SPORTS College Football 26, EA SPORTS Madden NFL 26 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.

But it鈥檚 not just the gaming听companies that eagerly hire听FIEA and GaIM graduates. The skills听taught in the two programs align perfectly听with some of Orlando鈥檚 top industries.

Graduates land roles in the modeling, simulation and training sector. Others find their footing in medical technology, where interactive systems and game-based design are transforming how clinicians train and how patients heal. Knights can be found at many of the region鈥檚 big-name employers, including Disney, EA, Lockheed Martin, and Universal Destinations & Experiences, among others.

鈥淥ur students don鈥檛 just make games, they develop the creative and technical fluency to work wherever those skills are needed.鈥� 鈥� Associate Professor Peter Smith 鈥�05MS 鈥�12PhD

鈥淥ur students don鈥檛 just make games, they develop the creative and technical fluency to work wherever those skills are needed,鈥� says Associate Professor Peter Smith 鈥�05MS 鈥�12PhD, who serves as the associate director of GaIM. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what makes GaIM graduates competitive across industries. It is a true honor to see The Princeton Review recognizing this accomplishment of our students and faculty.鈥�

Nitin Bakshi 鈥�21, who joined FIEA鈥檚 faculty as a technical art instructor after graduating with his master鈥檚 in interactive entertainment, says the program takes great pride that many of our alumni continue to live and work in Florida, contributing directly to the local economy.

鈥淭hese companies rely on artists, designers and programmers who understand real-time production,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hat is exactly the kind of training our program is built around.鈥�

Serious Business

Interest in the program has risen in the past year. FIEA recently drew its largest applicant pool with more than 200 applicants resulting in 90 new enrollees, the largest cohort to date.

For good reason.

The average starting salary for a FIEA graduate is $83,000, and 80% of graduates are in their desired fields at over 400 companies around the world.

The global market size for gaming, hardware and software sales is more than $189 billion (NewZoo鈥檚 2025 Global Games Market Report), overshadowing music and movie industries combined.

鈥淎dapting to the needs of the industry has always been one of our strengths,鈥� Bakshi says. 鈥淲hether it is new real-time technologies, new platforms, or new ways of collaboration, we work hard to make sure the program grows along with the field. Seeing the program attract more talented students each year, while continuing to evolve with the industry, is what makes me most excited about the future and about the impact these programs will continue to have.鈥�

Climbing the Leaderboard

UCF鈥檚 GaIM improved two spots from last year to its highest ranking, rising to No. 3 in the world and continues to hold the title of the No. 1 program in the South.

The bachelor鈥檚 in digital media with a track in game degree design blends theory and practice with a sharp focus on industry readiness. The program stands out as one of the few programs that combine a strong emphasis on both art and technology.

Students develop skills in programming, game design, game programming, as well as 2D and 3D art and visual effects.

The GaIM Maker Space lab, located on the UCF Downtown campus, reflects that commitment in concrete terms: nearly $500,000 in mixed-reality technology including augmented and virtual reality, motion capture, physical computing, 3D printing, and web and mobile development equipment, alongside dedicated research space for applied work.

The impact on the quality of the students鈥� education and training is undeniable.

鈥淭he tools the maker space provides are integrated deeply into virtually every class in GaIM,鈥� Smith says. 鈥淪tudents in early classes are printing board games and 3D printing game pieces, seniors are recording audio and motion capture sequences that are integrated directly into their capstone projects.鈥�

The Rankings鈥� Methodology

The Princeton Review and PC Gamer鈥檚 game design school rankings are based on more than 40 data points derived from the company鈥檚 survey of administrators at 150 schools offering game design courses and/or degrees. Most of the institutions are in the U.S., with two in Canada and four abroad. The 50-question survey covered four areas: academics, faculty, technology and career topics.

UCF earned the status after completing the Accelerated Process for Initial Accreditation and demonstrating the university meets all HLC quality standards and requirements related to institutional mission; ethical and responsible conduct; teaching and learning for student success; and institutional effectiveness, resources and planning.

鈥淗LC is an accreditation partner that matches our scale, our innovation, and our commitment to strong stewardship of public resources.鈥� 鈥� President Alexander N. Cartwright

鈥淯CF鈥檚 transition to HLC reflects our bold ambitions for the future and our responsibility to deliver exceptional value for Florida,鈥� says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. 鈥淗LC is an accreditation partner that matches our scale, our innovation, and our commitment to strong stewardship of public resources. Meeting the rigorous standards to earn this accreditation reflects the faculty and staff whose unwavering dedication to student success, academic excellence, and operational efficiency fuel our momentum.鈥�

About the Higher Learning Commission

Founded in 1895, HLC is a private nonprofit accrediting agency and the nation鈥檚 largest institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. HLC accredits approximately 1,000 colleges and universities in the United States.

Why Accreditation Matters for UCF

As Florida offers universities new and innovative options for accreditation, UCF is proud to lead the way as the first in the State 海角直播 System to earn accreditation from HLC.

HLC accreditation validates excellence across UCF, evaluating aspects including academic programs, governance and administration, mission, finances and resources.

Accreditation provides assurance that the university is fulfilling its public mission and providing excellent education, while also demonstrating UCF鈥檚 commitment to continuous improvement. It is also essential for the university to receive federal funding, including student financial aid.

UCF鈥檚 Strong Return on Investment

As a leading R1 university committed to building a better future, UCF empowers innovative community partnerships, world-class research with global impact, and the integration of technology and learning to foster incredible student outcomes.

U.S. News & World Report ranks UCF among the top 15 most innovative universities in the country and has consistently ranked UCF鈥檚 online degrees among the top 10 nationally for Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs.

According to the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 College Scorecard, UCF has a higher graduation rate and lower annual cost than the average midpoint for four-year schools, with a graduation rate of 73% compared to the midpoint of 58%. UCF remains a great value for a quality education, with average annual costs of $10,650 compared to the $19,740 midpoint for other four-year schools.

UCF is also Florida鈥檚 most financially efficient university.

鈥淯CF has become a national leader in delivering excellence at scale, achieving outstanding outcomes for our students and the state while operating with one of the lowest costs per degree in the nation,鈥� President Cartwright says. 鈥淏ecause of that efficiency, additional new investments in UCF would deliver among the strongest returns in higher education 鈥� fueling the talent, research, and innovation that drive Florida鈥檚 future.鈥�

Our Ongoing Commitment to Excellence

UCF was initially accredited in 1970, and most recently held its status through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Accreditation is an ongoing relationship. As a member of HLC, the institution will participate in ongoing reviews for compliance with HLC standards.

More information about the institution鈥檚 accreditation is available in HLC鈥檚 .

For the third year in a row, Orlando ranks as the No. 2 Best College City in America among large cities, according to WalletHub鈥檚 2026 list. The City Beautiful maintained the No. 3 spot among cities overall 鈥� 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鈥檇 imagine 鈥� 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 鈥� solidifying its reputation as a food lover鈥檚 paradise.

鈥淎ll of the restaurants [in Orlando] are incredible, and it鈥檚 so fun finding 鈥榟ole-in-the-wall鈥� restaurants and sharing them (with) your friends,鈥� says Jean-Thomas Mateesco ’24, an advertising and public relations alum.

Opportunity abounds in Orlando 鈥� one of the fastest-growing cities in Central Florida and home to UCF.

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

鈥淚 decided on UCF because I am interested in pursuing a career within the industry,鈥� Nauta says. 鈥淯CF 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].鈥�

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

Among factors like abundant activities, safety and plenty of jobs, 鈥渟ome of the best college towns blend great academics with low costs,鈥� says WalletHub Analyst Cassandra Happe.

Orlando ranks among the top 40 cities with the best cost of higher education, per WalletHub鈥檚 2024 rankings release. Here, the cost of 鈥渋n-state tuition, room and board and other college expenses are among the lowest in the country,鈥� 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 UCF, she says she was able to work within the entertainment industry.

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

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

鈥淥rlando has the highest job growth rate of any city, at 8.69%, so it鈥檚 a good place for students to stay even after they鈥檝e graduated,鈥� Happe says.

Universal鈥檚 Epic Universe is expected to draw millions of visitors from across the globe, setting a new bar for immersive entertainment and redefining the guest experience. Less than a mile away, the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management 鈥� newly ranked as the best in the world by CEOWORLD magazine 鈥� is training the next generation of leaders who bring places like Epic Universe to life.

Located in the heart of Orlando鈥檚 tourism corridor, Rosen College offers everything a student could want to thrive academically and graduate with a strong competitive edge to start or advance in their career, including faculty with decades of industry experience and expertise in theme parks, hotels, event management, entertainment and other fields.

鈥淭he Rosen College鈥檚 recognition as the No. 1 hospitality program in the world demonstrates the excellence of our world-class faculty and industry partners,鈥� says Rosen College Dean Cynthia Mejia. 鈥淥ur faculty bring unrivaled industry experience to the classroom, are research and thought leaders in their disciplines, and prepare our students to lead and innovate in the field. With the opening of Epic Universe and so many other opportunities available to our graduates here in Orlando, Rosen College students are uniquely positioned to succeed in their careers of choice.鈥�

As tourism and attractions evolve with the latest technologies while still emphasizing the human connections of hospitality, Rosen College graduates are shaping the future of the industry at some of the world鈥檚 most iconic destinations. They are helping Florida continue to break records for the number of visitors to the state 鈥� 142.9 million in 2024.

鈥淥rlando is proud to be the No.1 hospitality program in the world, and we congratulate UCF鈥檚 Rosen College of Hospitality Management on this well-deserved recognition,鈥� says Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. 鈥淲ith hospitality at the heart of our region鈥檚 economy, having a top-ranked institution like Rosen College in our backyard ensures a strong pipeline of talented, passionate leaders who will drive innovation in our industry for years to come. Many of our Visit Orlando team members are proud Rosen alumni, and we see firsthand the caliber of professionals the college produces.鈥�

CEOWORLD surveyed 250,000 graduates, industry professionals, employers and recruiters to help produce the rankings. The rankings take into account academic reputation, job placement rate, perceived global brands influence, and recruiter and employer feedback, among other categories.

鈥淯CF Rosen College is located in the epicenter of the attractions industry and thus is able to provide an exceptional educational experience in the classroom alongside practical application of learnings in world-class attractions,鈥� says John Hallenbeck, vice president of attractions operations for Universal Studios Japan and co-chair of the UCF Rosen College Theme Park and Attraction Advisory Board. A longtime advisor to Rosen College, Hallenbeck also assisted in developing the school鈥檚 theme park and attraction management degree program.

鈥淭he partnerships that UCF Rosen College cultivates with leaders at attractions and other organizations involved in the industry provide expert mentors that are motivated to help students excel to become the next generation of industry professionals.鈥�

The Rosen College was previously ranked the No. 1 hospitality program in the United States and among the top five in the world. The college offers six undergraduate degrees, three master鈥檚 programs and the only doctoral program specifically in hospitality management in Florida, as well as several undergraduate and graduate certificates.

Rosen College students are required to complete three internships, designed to build skills such as effective communication, resume development, leadership and exceptional guest service.

Here are a few Rosen College alumni’s takes on what makes the program the best in the nation:

Successful Rosen College Alumni: Faculty 鈥楳ake All the Difference鈥�

鈥淩osen College distinguishes itself through its cutting-edge curriculum, strong industry connections, and hands-on learning opportunities in the heart of Orlando,” says Arthur Hudnell 鈥�15, director of operations at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. “The Rosen College offers students unique chances to engage with leading hospitality companies worldwide, thoroughly preparing them for careers in the industry.鈥�

鈥淢any of the professors I had the pleasure of learning from during my time at Rosen have remained trusted mentors and sounding boards,” says David 鈥淲oody鈥� Woodstein 鈥�14, co-founder of LW Capital Consulting, an asset management firm overseeing 13 hotels. “Their real-world experience and continued engagement with alumni create a lifelong network of support. They offer invaluable third-party insights and guidance that continue to shape my approach to challenges and opportunities in the industry.鈥�

鈥淓ven 10 years after graduation, I鈥檓 still finding new opportunities through UCF 鈥� whether it鈥檚 mentoring students, speaking on campus or learning from the next generation of leaders about where the industry is headed,鈥� says Maxwell Glorit 鈥�15, who manages education programming for IAAPA Expo, the largest global conference for the attractions industry.

鈥淭he Rosen College is the No. 1 hospitality program in the world because of its world-class faculty, challenging curriculum and prime location in the hospitality capital of the world. The environment it creates 鈥� where like-minded students can connect, grow and network 鈥� makes it truly special,鈥� says Rick Powell 鈥�10, owner/operator of Chick-fil-A in Mt. Dora, Florida. 鈥淭he true value of a Rosen College education is that it makes you more experienced, more educated, more prepared and more competitive than most other candidates.鈥�