The University of Central Florida, founded in 1963, is the seventh-largest university in the country.  Offering more than 200 degree programs, it has become an academic and research leader in many fields, such as optics, modeling and simulation, engineering and computer science, business administration, education, the sciences, hospitality management and digital media. UCF's 1,415-acre main campus provides modern facilities, most of which have wireless abilities, with 600 acres set aside for lakes, woods and an arboretum.  UCF now has 12 colleges, including the newly established College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, the Burnett Honors College and the Burnett College of Biomedical Sciences.  Nearly 47,000 students attend classes on UCF's main campus and its 12 regional campuses located throughout Central Florida. UCF recently granted its 164,000th degree in its 38th year of offering classes. UCF promotes a diverse and inclusive environment.  UCF students come from every Florida county, 50 states and 138 countries with more than 1,300 international students.  Study abroad programs allow UCF students to study and conduct research with 98 institutions in 36 countries.  UCF has an 85,000-square-foot Recreation and Wellness Center complete with a three-story climbing wall, an indoor track and fitness equipment.  The Student Union has computer labs, study lounges, ballrooms and meeting rooms, popular eating establishments and a small shopping mall. A new Health Center is a full-service health clinic with on-site professionals, X-ray capabilities, a pharmacy, a medical laboratory and physical therapy services.  A 10,000-seat Convocation Center and a 45,000-seat on-campus football stadium are scheduled for completion in Fall 2007.  Students can choose from hundreds of student organizations and services.  UCF provides on-campus residence halls and affiliated housing for nearly 10,000 students.

In 2005-06, UCF professors received more than $100 million in research funding for the second consecutive year. Research contracts and grants come from esteemed institutions, such as the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Department of Justice and Lockheed Martin. Undergraduate Research offers seven research programs, including paid research positions for undergraduates and graduate students.  The UCF College of Medicine is scheduled to open in Fall 2009 at the UCF Health Science Campus at Lake Nona. The college will expand the educational and residency opportunities for Florida students while helping to alleviate the nationwide shortage of physicians and increasing job opportunities in medical and related fields at higher wages. The college is expected to diversify the local economy by attracting more life sciences industry to the area. UCF's main campus is located 13 miles east of downtown Orlando, which offers an array of entertainment opportunities, theme parks, theaters, museums, internationally recognized festivals and 2,000 lakes, springs and rivers, as well as 21 fitness trails for outdoor recreation.