The Best Schools by the Beach

The Beach!

With the month of June finally here, it’s time for many of us to start hitting the beach instead of the books. Summer is here! At some colleges and universities in the U.S., it feels like summer almost year-round. Here’s a quick list of some of the best schools located on the beach.

Coastal Carolina University: This university in South Carolina is home to over 9,000 students who can enjoy the sunshine as much as they want. Coastal Carolina is conveniently located nine miles away from Myrtle Beach, one of the most popular seaside areas in America. There, they can surf and hang out in the sun as much as they please. The university also has it’s very own golf course, The Hackler Course in Conway, S.C. The course is operated by the school’s Golf Management program. At Coastal Carolina, it’s easy to have fun in the sun.

Pepperdine University: Pepperdine is a small, private university located in Malibu, California. The school’s Malibu Campus is set high above the shoreline by the Santa Monica Mountains. Students can hike or drive down to the seashore at their leisure, no matter what time of year it is. The school prides itself on being only a short drive away from all of Malibu’s recreational hot spots. Whether you enjoy hiking, surfing, or just exploring the outdoors, Pepperdine has you covered.

The University of Hawaii at Hilo: This is not a surprising addition to the list–Hawaii is an ideal place to go to school if you’re looking for a beach. At the University of Hawaii at Hilo, students live supremely close to the ocean, so they’re able to head over to sun and surf all day long. The university also accommodates the needs of those who don’t want to leave campus to have a great time outside. Their Student Life Center comes complete with an outdoor pool!  Students can grab lunch and then dive in for a good time between classes. The school also provides free transportation to its students so they can head out into Hilo’s popular spots, including the beach.

The University of California at Santa Barbara: UC Santa Barbara is the ultimate beach school. The university has a 1,055 acre campus along the California coastline and is located just 100 miles north of Los Angeles. UCSB is also the only college in the United States with its own beach. On campus, you can find lots of pools, places to tan and tons of outdoor fun. The school is also right at the foot of the Santa Ynez Mountains, which makes for a great opportunity to hike and enjoy the outdoors beyond the beach. Santa Barbara is a great town for anyone interested in surfing, fun and sun.

The University of West Florida: Located in Pensacola, Florida, this school encourages its students to be outdoors as much as possible. Located super close to the Pensacola coastline, the university has lots of outdoor resources around campus. Students come from all over to study at UWF’s Hospitality, Recreation and Resort Management Program. The school’s location makes it a perfect place to learn about such a specific concentration. UWF also has a 1,600-acre wildlife refuge along the Emerald Coast for students to explore and enjoy. No matter what, you’ll spend lots of time outside if you go here.

If you love the sunshine and beach, definitely consider these schools and locations when thinking about college. Once you know where you’re going, find an insurance policy that tailors to your needs at whatever school you go to! And be sure to get outside as the nice weather approaches!

Photo credit: mboperator