Colleges on the beach offer not only diverse academic programs, but also a relaxed learning atmosphere and beautiful water views. Beaches offer an ideal setting for relaxation, stress reduction, and activities like swimming and fishing. When it’s summer vacation, many students plan to spend relaxing and enjoyable times at the beach as the temperature rises. If you’re self-disciplined and won’t get overly absorbed in the lively social scenes on the beach, beachfront colleges might be a better fit for you. Now let’s take a look at what colleges are near the beach and whether you are suitable for the following coastal universities.
Best Colleges on the Beach
Have you envisioned yourselves lounging on folding chairs with toes buried in the sand during evenings and weekends? Studying at the colleges on the beach can help you realise your dream. Here are 15 colleges on or near beaches for your reference.
1. University of Rhode Island
- Location: Kingston, Rhode Island
- US News ranking 2025:#152 in National Universities (tie)
The University of Rhode Island is one of the best universities close to the beach. Its main campus in located in Kingston, close to over a dozen public beaches and the state capital, Providence. Undergraduates can choose from more than 90 majors, including ocean-friendly programs like Aquaculture and Fisheries Science and Marine Biology. This college on the coast has over 100 campus organisations, offering plenty of extracurricular opportunities. The Narragansett Bay campus boasts its own beach. Students can conduct research on the beach, participate in marine programs, or teach children with cognitive disabilities how to surf through kinesiology courses.
2. Pepperdine University
- Location: Malibu, California
- US News ranking 2025:#80 in National Universities (tie)
Pepperdine University, nestled at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains, is a Christian college by the beach. Undergraduates can attend the Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, which requires students to complete three religious studies courses alongside a traditional liberal arts curriculum. Pepperdine University is just minutes away from Malibu Lagoon State Beach and Zuma Beach, ensuring students easy access to vibrant beach activities. Students seeking the thrill of the waves can also join the university’s surfing club. Besides, it is located less than an hour’s drive from downtown Los Angeles, conveniently for students to enjoy bustling urban life on a year-round warm day.
3. Coastal Carolina University
- Location: Conway, South Carolina
- US News ranking 2025: #34 in Regional Universities South (tie)
Coastal Carolina University, the college close to the beach, was established in 1954 as Coastal Carolina Junior College and awarded its first four-year degree in 1975. The institution has gained national recognition in recent years for building an outstanding Division I athletics program. CCU leverages its geographic location as an academic asset, offering undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees in marine science. There are over 150 campus organisations for students to choose from. CCU is an ideal school for those wishing to enjoy the beach scenery to the fullest and play golf at the university’s affiliated course. Coastal Carolina University student apartments in Myrtle Beach are a popular housing choice with a 20-minute drive from campus.
4. Eckerd College
- Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
- US News ranking 2025: #126 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (tie)
At Eckerd College, the beach may be a more integral part of daily life than at any other university in the United States. The seaside campus of Eckerd College has diverse local plants and wildlife. Students at this college on the coast can overlook Boca Chega Bay along the Gulf Coast of Florida. As a college on the coast, Eckerd College has a 100-mile-long white sandy beach. Students can use their ID cards to borrow sailboats, paddleboards and water skiing equipment, etc. The private school adopts a 4-1-4 academic year calendar, encouraging students to study abroad in the January semester between the four-month fall and spring semesters.
5. Lynn University
- Location: Boca Raton, Florida
- US News ranking 2025: #48 in Regional Universities South (tie)
Lynn University is one of the Florida colleges on the beach. Located in Boca Raton, one of the Sunshine State’s most popular resort cities, it is approximately 45 miles north of Miami and just 3 miles west of the Atlantic Ocean. Despite its modest enrollment, Lynn University offers over 40 clubs and more than 50 athletic teams, including 19 varsity squads.The faculty-to-student ratio of Lynn University is 18:1 , and 38% of classes having fewer than 20 students. Undergraduate fields of study encompass three majors within the College of Aviation, Arts & Sciences, and the School of Music. If you are good at balancing beach time with coursework, you can enroll in the Accelerated Degree Scholar Program, which enables participants to graduate in three years.
6. Monmouth University
- Location: West Lambert, New Jersey
- US News ranking 2025: #15 in Regional Universities North (tie)
Monmouth University is a small private institution with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, providing students with a wealth of extracurricular opportunities. The university boasts over 125 clubs and organisations, including 14 fraternities and sororities, as well as more than 20 Division I athletic teams. Students can choose from over 200 five-year “Bachelor’s + Master’s” programs, and they can earn graduate credits during their senior year of undergraduate study. Monmouth University is a beachfront college, allowing students to enjoy beach time and big-city travel. Located on the Jersey Shore, the campus is less than a mile from the Atlantic Ocean and just an hour’s drive from both New York City and Philadelphia.
7. University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
- US News ranking 2025: #171 in National Universities (tie)
The University of Hawaii at Manoa, established in 1907 and located on Oahu, is one of ten campuses within the University of Hawaii system. The campus is surrounded by numerous famous attractions, including the renowned surfing beach of Waikiki and downtown Honolulu. The University of Hawaii at Manoa takes pride in its status as a research institution. It is one of American universities that receive federal land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant designations. The college near the beach offers degrees in nearly 100 fields of study for undergraduates, including tropical agriculture and environment, oceanography, and Pacific Islands studies.
8. University of North Carolina—Wilmington
- Location: Wilmington, North Carolina
- US News ranking 2025: #196 in National Universities (tie)
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is located in the heart of a city known as “Hollywood of the East”. If you want to study in colleges on the water, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington is an ideal choice. Located just 6 miles from the coastal town of Wrightsville Beach, the university also allows students to relax in the downtown riverfront. UNCW offers three colleges and one school for undergraduates, covering disciplines including business, arts and sciences, health and human services, and education. Besides, transfer students comprise about half of the annual fall freshman class.
9. University of California—Santa Barbara
- Location: Santa Barbara, California
- US News ranking 2025: #39 in National Universities (tie)
The University of California, Santa Barbara, is one of the top beach colleges in the United States. It has a renowned surfing spot, Campus Point Beach, featuring calm summer tides and stunning rock formations. It offers scuba diving courses for students eager to explore the Pacific Ocean, while those seeking thrills on land can join the skiing and snowboarding clubs. When it’s relaxing time, you can stroll along the coast of nearby Goleta Beach or Concave Beach. There are plenty of programs at the University of California, Santa Barbara, for students, ranging from computer science to zoology, along with over 400 clubs and organisations.
10. Salve Regina University
- Location: Newport, Rhode Island
- US News ranking 2025: #27 in Regional Universities North (tie)
Salve Regina University is a Roman Catholic institution located in the coastal city of Newport. Studying at the college near the ocean, students can walk to Belmont Beach in a few minutes. Newport is a charming seaside town with a rich history. Some of its Gilded Age mansions now serve as museums. Salve Regina, meaning “Hail Queen,” maintains a small student body while offering over 40 majors and 8 combined bachelor’s-master’s programs, typically completed in 5 to 6 years. More than half of undergraduates reside on campus in large, colourful, and beautifully landscaped dormitories spread across 78 acres.
11. St. Mary’s College of Maryland
- Location: St. Mary’s City, Maryland
- US News ranking 2025: #100 in National Liberal Arts Colleges (tie)
St. Mary’s College of Maryland is a college on the beach founded in 1840, St. Located 75 miles southeast of Washington, D.C., the institution ensures students can enjoy campus access to the waterfront, with complimentary use of kayaks, paddleboards, and sailboats. The school’s sailing team has claimed 16 national championships. If you are interested in sailing, you can try it at no cost. Students seeking broader beaches can travel less than 5 miles to Elm Beach Park, which features over 500 feet of shoreline along the Chesapeake Bay.
12. Loyola Marymount University
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- US News ranking 2025: #91 in National Universities (tie)
Loyola Marymount University is the largest Catholic university located on the West Coast. It is just a 10-minute drive from Dockweiler State Beach along the Pacific coast. At Loyola Marymount University, undergraduates can choose from 55 majors with a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1. Nearly 60% of classes have fewer than 20 students. For extracurricular activities, this college on the beach offers approximately 150 student clubs and organisations, along with over 60 athletic teams, including a surfing team.
13. Texas A&M University—Corpus Christi
- Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
- US News ranking 2025: #392-434 in National Universities
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is the only American university that has its own island. The campus is built along the Gulf of Mexico, making it an ideal place for students to relax and unwind. Studying at the school on the beach, students can participate in workshops and training sessions for water activities like kayaking and surfing. Besides, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi offers hiking and biking trails for students to have fun. You will not regret choosing offline courses and degree programs. When you walk from the classroom back to your student living, you can also enjoy the amazing views of palm trees.
14. Florida Gulf Coast University
- Location: Fort Myers, Florida
- US News ranking 2025: #296 in National Universities (tie)
Florida Gulf Coast University is located in Fort Myers, Florida, one of the most popular vacation destinations. It is normal that students do not have much time to drive to the beach when they are busy in studies. However, students at FGCU needn’t leave campus to enjoy the university’s own beachfront on an 80-acre lake. Upperclassmen can reside in beachfront student apartments with amenities like sand volleyball courts, swimming pools, and barbecue grills. The college by the beach hosts an Honours College and a College of Water, offering majors, minors, and graduate degrees in fields related to global water issues.
15. California State University—Long Beach
- Location: Long Beach, California
- US News ranking 2025: #109 in National Universities (tie)
California State University, Long Beach, overlooks the Pacific Ocean and features over 3,200 peach trees on campus. Pet lovers can quickly reach Rosie’s Dog Beach from campus. California State University, Long Beach has eight colleges: the College of Arts, the College of Engineering, the College of Education, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Business, the College of Health and Human Services, the College of Professional and International Education, and the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. If you want to stay alive during studies in the college by the beach, you can join one of five “Ocean” club teams: Crew, Dragon Boat Racing, Fishing, Sailing, and Surfing. For those with a passion for water, the university maintains an outdoor swimming pool on campus, available free of charge during the academic year.
Tips to Keep Safe in Colleges on the Beach
Studying at colleges on the beach, students can have many opportunities to enjoy the ocean views and participate in recreational activities. However, being close to beaches comes with unique safety challenges. Here’s a practical guide to staying safe while enjoying coastal campus life.
- Check equipment in advance
Waterfront activities like rowing, kayaking, and windsurfing at colleges on the beach are all incredibly appealing to students. But whether you’re a rowing pro or a complete beginner, life jackets are mandatory. Even though you are good at swimming, we advise you to be careful. Before boarding canoes, jet skis, or other equipment, thoroughly check them for leaks or damaged paddles.
- Be mindful of your surroundings
Some colleges close to the beach have their hazardous spots which are not open to everyone. You can always see the warning signs in these places. Make sure you know exactly which areas the school has designated as off-limits, such as sections of unsecured muddy riverbanks, areas near drainage outlets, or zones with strong underwater currents. If you accidentally trespass, please stop your move in a timely manner and keep away from the place.
3. Move with partners
Before heading to the beach, please let a friend or roommate know your destination and estimated return time. If you want to boat or swim, try to go with other partners. For example, students who enter the Boundary Waters expedition at the University of Minnesota feel it is safer to group up. You can also save the contact info for the aquatic centre and local emergency services of colleges on the water in case you are in danger.
Conclusion
From the East Coast to the West Coast, each of the fifteen colleges on the beach possesses distinctive characteristics. They have not only unique geographic locations but also an educational philosophy deeply integrating academia with nature. Whether immersed in marine research or relaxing daily amidst sandy shores and ocean waves, these universities on the beach showcase their charm, attracting many applicants each year. For students seeking well-rounded development and yearning for unique campus cultures, the universities on this list undoubtedly represent the optimal choices.
FAQ
What are the colleges on the East Coast near the beach?
The East Coast of the U.S. is famous for its long coastline, ranging from the rocky shores of New England to the sandy beaches of the Carolinas and Florida. Here are several colleges on the East Coast near the beach:
- Boston University
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
- University of Virginia
- The College of William & Mary
- University of North Carolina Wilmington
- University of Florida
- University of Miami
- University of Delaware
- Stony Brook University
- University of New England
What are the beach colleges in California?
Below are the colleges on the beach in California, with a short walk or bike ride to their private beach.
- UC San Diego (La Jolla, San Diego)
- Pepperdine University (Malibu)
- California State University, Long Beach (Long Beach)
- University of Southern California (Los Angeles)
- UCLA (Los Angeles)
- California State University, Channel Islands (Camarillo)
What are the colleges near the beach in Florida?
Florida has hundreds of miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Here is a list of colleges and universities near the ocean in Florida.
- University of Miami
- Florida Atlantic University
- University of South Florida
- University of North Florida
- Florida Atlantic University
What are the best colleges on the beach?
The best colleges on the beach are as follows.
- University of Rhode Island
- Pepperdine University
- Coastal Carolina University
- Eckerd College
- Lynn University
- Monmouth University
- University of Hawaii at Manoa
- University of North Carolina—Wilmington
- University of California—Santa Barbara
- Salve Regina University
