10 Colleges and Universities Near the Beach
Colleges With a Coastal View
For most college students, a trip to the beach is a luxury reserved for summer vacation.
However, for a handful of students attending colleges and universities located mostly in Florida and California, sand and surf are staples of campus life that provide both educational enrichment and unique extracurricular opportunities.
Just in time for summer session, here are a few schools located on or near beachfront property.
Florida Gulf Coast University
Location: Fort Myers, Florida
U.S. News rank: 80 (tie), Regional Universities (South)
Florida Gulf Coast University features a beach on campus where students can rent boats and kayaks.
University of Hawaii--Manoa
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
U.S. News rank: 161 (tie), National Universities
Just a few miles from some of the world's most beautiful beaches, University of Hawaii--Manoa is located on the island of Oahu with easy access to nearby Diamond Head beaches.
Pepperdine University
Location: Malibu, California
U.S. News rank: 52 (tie), National Universities
Pepperdine University overlooks the Pacific Ocean and sits along one of the most scenic roads in the country, the Pacific Coast Highway.
University of California--Santa Barbara
Location: Santa Barbara, California
U.S. News rank: 37 (tie), National Universities
UC--Santa Barbara, located on more than 1,000 acres of Pacific Ocean coastline, looks more like a vacation resort than a college.
Eckerd College
Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
U.S. News rank: 127 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Eckerd College sits at the mouth of Tampa Bay and is just minutes away from St. Pete Beach. The college also has its own search and rescue team that works closely with the U.S. Coast Guard.
University of West Florida
Location: Pensacola, Florida
U.S. News rank: Rank Not Published, National Universities
University of West Florida owns beachfront property in Pensacola. In-state students paid $8,956 in tuition for the 2014-2015 school year to attend near the waves.
Coastal Carolina University
Location: Conway, South Carolina
U.S. News rank: 63 (tie), Regional Universities (South)
It's obvious why Coastal Carolina University got its name. The school, which offers a degree in marine science, is just 10 miles away from Myrtle Beach.
Monmouth University
Location: West Long Branch, New Jersey
U.S. News rank: 36 (tie), Regional Universities (North)
Located near Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, Monmouth University offers students the chance to get out of the classroom for some hands-on experience in marine biology.
California State University--Long Beach
Location: Long Beach, California
U.S. News rank: 32 (tie), Regional Universities (West)
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, California State University--Long Beach, home to 3,000 peach trees, offers clubs in sailing, surfing, wakeboarding and water skiing.
Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
U.S. News rank: RNP, National Universities
Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi is the only university in the nation located on its own island, the school's website states. Situated along Corpus Christi Bay, the school is a short drive from the Gulf of Mexico.
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