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The Daily Dish The Real Housewives of Orange County

Where Did the Real Housewives of Orange County Cast Go to College?

Learn where Shannon, Gina, Emily, Tamra, Heather, Jennifer, and Katie went to school (if they went at all).

By Shannon Raphael

Grab some popcorn and a cold glass of orange juice, because The Real Housewives of Orange County officially returned for Season 18 on July 11. 

How to Watch

Watch The Real Housewives of Orange County on Thursdays at 9/8c and next day on Peacock. Catch up on the Bravo App.

Shannon Storms BeadorHeather Dubrow, Tamra Judge, Jennifer Pedranti, Gina Kirschenheiter, and Emily Simpson all came back as cast members, and they were joined by newbie Katie Ginella.

Based on both the premiere and the trailer for Season 18 — the latter of which which features cameos from Vicki Gunvalson and Alexis Bellino — things are really heating up in the Golden State. 

So, in honor of the premiere, we've rounded up some information about where the aforementioned women went to college. 

Where did Heather Dubrow go to college?

Heather Dubrow wearing a silver dress in front of a sunset.

Like Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles' Josh Altman, Heather is a Syracuse alum. During her time as an undergrad in the late '80s, Heather won the title of Miss Syracuse.

She even went back to her alma mater — with Gina — to record an episode of her podcast from campus, which later aired in Season 16. 

Where did Gina Kirschenheiter go to college?

Gina Kirschenheiter wearing a silver dress in front of a sunset.

A Long Island native through and through, Gina attended Hofstra University. She met her now-ex husband, Matt Kirschenheiter, when they were both undergraduates at the school. 

Where did Emily Simpson go to college?

Emily Simpson wearing a silver dress in front of a sunset.

Emily, who later attended law school, received her Bachelor of Education, Spanish Language and Literature degree, from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. 

Where did Shannon Storms Beador go to college?

Shannon Beador wearing a silver dress in front of a sunset.

Like MDLLA's Tracy Tutor, Shannon is a graduate of the University of Southern California. Shannon's daughter, Stella Beador, is currently a student at her mom's alma mater.

Where did Tamra Judge go to college? 

Full length of Tamra Judge wearing a silver dress in front of a sunset.

Tamra, who has appeared on 14 seasons of RHOC, did not attend college. Instead, when she was 20 (and already a mom to her eldest, Ryan Vieth), Tamra got her manicurist license. 

"I was a licensed manicurist at 20," she shared during an Instagram Q&A in March 2022. "Worked at a salon in Covina for years."

Here's What You May Have Missed on Bravo:

Heather Dubrow Shows the Sorority House Where She Lived in College

Gina Kirschenheiter's Latest Business Move Involves an RHOC Alum: Details

Where to Watch and Stream The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 18

Where did Jennifer Pedranti go to college?

Jennifer Pedranti wearing a silver dress in front of a sunset.

The Oklahoma native attended college in her home state: Northeastern State University. Jennifer's alma mater is located in Tahlequah, Ohio. 

Where did Katie Ginella go to college?

Katie Ginella wearing a silver dress in front of a sunset.

The newbie, who is a "former golf reporter" and "friend of Gina['s]," graduated from Georgia State University in 2010.

According to her LinkedIn, Katie obtained her degree in Communications, Journalism/Public Relations. 

Watch The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 18 premiere on Thursday, July 11 at 9/8c on Bravo. Stream the next day on Peacock. 

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