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Have you started making Spring Break plans? If you’re a sun-loving student, why not consider adding campus tours of beachside colleges to your list? You could study where the rest of the world vacations! Students who love the beach know that the combination of the sun and sea gives you that extra dose of calm when the coursework gets tough. Not only that, but the beach is the perfect setting to relieve stress while meeting people through activities like beach volleyball, surfing, kayaking, canoeing, boating, and more.
College Census has compiled a list of the Best Beach Colleges based on national rankings and student reviews, so that students don’t have to sacrifice a quality education for the beachside college experience. With colleges located so close to the ocean, student can expect the schools' curriculum to emphasize environmental responsibility, sustainability, and a passion for conserving natural resources.
Spoiler alert: Each of the top 5 colleges from the list can be found in just two states, California and Florida. Opposite coasts, vastly different campus cultures, but equally awesome locations earn your degree by the sea!
Nestled near Silicon Beach, LMU’s main campus sits along this lively coastal community that stretches from Santa Monica to El Segundo. LMU is the largest Catholic university on the West Coast. Over 95% of first-year students live on campus, along with second-year students and upperclassmen. Check out scholarships offered by LMU here.
Did you know that UCSB owns a lagoon as well as a beach that is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on three sides? The lagoon hosts the aquatic life tanks of the Marine Science Building, making it easy for marine science students to access some of the best-appointed facilities in the U.S. Check out the scholarships available at UCSB.
Located in one of the most beautiful cities in California, Cal Poly sits between the Santa Lucia Mountains to the east, and 11 miles from the Pacific Ocean to the west. Know for its educational philosophy, Learn by Doing, Cal Poly classes encourages students to tackle real-world problems by fusing classroom theory with hands-on experiences. Cal Poly ranks high across the board from Forbes to U.S. News & World Report. Check out scholarship opportunities here.
Just 4 miles from the beaches of St. Augustine, Flagler’s main campus features picturesque Spanish architecture. The Ponce De Leon Hall, a National Historic Landmark, was originally a grand resort built by Henry Flagler. Students enjoy access to the beaches coupled with old-Florida charm at one of Florida’s most iconic institutions, which was ranked #2 regional college in the South by U.S. News & World Report. Check out scholarship opportunities here.
Topping the charts among the best private research universities, UM is a highly-selective institution that offers the beautiful scenery of Miami’s beaches where student clubs and organization events are hosted regularly. Check out scholarship opportunities here.