So, you want to go to a great college but you also fancy yourself a fish. A beachcomber. A Surfer. A swimmer. However you identify, we’ve rounded up the top colleges and universities that also happen to be near some of the most amazing beaches in the U.S. Yes, you really can have it all (if you work hard). We got you.
UC Santa Barbara
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Undergraduates: ~23K
Located in sunny Santa Barbara, UCSB is one of the more competitive and increasingly academically rigorous UCs to gain admission to. Santa Barbara is north of LA by about an hour and 45 minutes, which is just long enough to make it an entirely different part of California with a totally different vibe and energy. Santa Barbara is like LA’s slightly fancier, “chiller” cousin (wears only Rainbow flip-flops and Toms; also drives a Mercedes). The area is characterized by rolling hills and is a pretty relaxed beach town, with a rigorous university placed in the middle of it all. The academics at UCSB are strong, with a lot of attention paid to research opportunities and advising for undergraduates, as well as cultivating a strong campus community with lots of traditions.
UC San Diego
Location: San Diego, CA
Undergraduates: ~30.2K
UCSD began as a marine biology research center called Scripps Institution of Oceanography, so the ocean has been instrumental in creating what the university is today. It’s in La Jolla, which is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world--and a surfer’s haven--and the campus is just atop a hill that overlooks said ocean. In addition to its close proximity to the beach, the school has one of the most revered and established marine biology research labs as well as offers an interdisciplinary education to its many students. When you enroll, you’re placed into one of the seven undergraduate colleges that make up the larger university. It’s modeled after the Oxford/Cambridge college system with an aim to give you the benefits of attending a small, intimate college with large university resources.
University of Miami
Location: Miami, FL
Undergraduates: ~11.1K
Bienvenidos a Miami. Miami is not only characterized by amazing beaches and Cuban food, but is also home to UMiami, a super-strong research university in the city. It’s become more and more popular and, as a result, more challenging to get into particularly over the last five years or so. And for good reason. The academics and resources are rigorous and robust. Also, UMiami has some of the best creative degree opportunities for those interested in getting a BFA. For example, their BFA program in acting is a (not so) hidden gem.
UC Berkeley
Location: Berkeley, CA
Undergraduates: ~31K
The OG UC is perfect for those who enjoy a brisk beach walk and who know the difference between a “spring suit” and a “winter suit.” The weather in the Bay Area is notoriously fickle, but the beaches and their beauty are constants. And, of course, it’s an incredible school that’s constantly competing with UCLA for the “top spot” on the list of most competitive UCs. From strong computer science, pre-law, and business programs to unique liberal arts programs, it has something for everyone. UC Berkeley is surrounded by waterfronts and is close to Marin County and all of the water-side opportunities that make San Francisco a great place to be for those who love surfing, the outdoors in general, and/or hiking near the ocean.
UNC Wilmington
Location: Wilmington, NC
Undergraduates: ~14.5K
Five miles from this UNC and you’re on Wrightsville Beach, one of the most picturesque beaches in the south. Students frequent this small beach town just outside of Wilmington proper throughout the year both for fun and because it’s also home to the university’s Aquaculture Facility and program. The school also has come incredibly unique degree programs like their Public Criminology, Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, Bachelor of Music in Music Education, and Bachelor of Arts in Music (Jazz Studies, Music Tech, or Performance) programs, to name a few.
USC
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Undergraduates: ~20K
We had to include USC on this list because, well, it’s LA (read: SoCal, beach, sunshine, etc.) and it’s a great school. It’s known for its incredible undergraduate business, journalism, engineering, social sciences, and the arts (film, theater, creative writing, etc.) programs (and the list goes on). And it also happens to be barely 30 mins inland from Santa Monica Pier and beach, a most iconic beach and surrounding area in LA. It’s an incredibly difficult school to get into (and getting harder), but you’ll not want for outdoor and beachside adventure options once you’re there.
UCLA
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Undergraduates: ~31K
If we’re including USC, we have to shoutout UCLA as well. It’s slightly closer to Santa Monica (15 mins vs. USC’s 30), and it’s one of the most competitive UCs to gain entry into. It’s also the most applied-to school in the U.S., and for good reason. Whether you want to study the arts, engineering, communications, or the liberal arts, UCLA has you covered with incredible academic and research opportunities for undergraduates.
University of Washington
Location: Seattle, WA
Undergraduates: ~32K
Okay, so Washington might not be sunny all year-round, but it’s still close to some pretty incredible beaches and oceanfront scenery that make for some unique outdoor adventures. It’s definitely rare to boast an urban campus and a short commute to the beach, but U-W accomplishes both. It’s in the middle of Seattle and close to a number of beachside parks and mountains for hiking. Looking to academics, U-W also has a number of incredible academic programs and some impressive research facilities and opportunities for undergrads.
Pepperdine University
Location: Malibu, CA
Undergraduates: ~3.6K
It doesn’t really get better in terms of beaches than the ‘Bu. Pepperdine is in Malbu and overlooks the ocean. You can see an aerial view of the campus and a view from study spots around campus online because they’re just that good. In addition to being next to one of the most famous and beautiful beaches, the school’s academics are diverse and intensive. It’s worth noting that the school’s Christian affiliation runs relatively deep. It’s also one of the smaller schools on the list--it’s not a huge campus, in fact it’s quite cozy, which makes for an intimate community feel (and a low student:teacher ratio of 12.5:1) perched atop the bluffs of Malibu (35 miles northwest of Los Angeles proper). Yep, it’s pretty nice.
UC Irvine
Location: Irvine, CA
Undergraduates: ~29.7K
Orange County has a number of gorgeous beaches, and UC Irvine is located smack dab in the middle of the OC. The school is pretty large, with almost 30,000 undergraduates, and the diversity of its academic programs align with its diverse student body. Its Social Ecology school is a particularly noteworthy academic area of interest for students who choose to study there, as are the school’s programs for social psychology, biology, business, computer science, and public health.
Let us know if you need help navigating your geographic and academic preferences by emailing or calling us.