Which Colleges Are Closest To The Beach? 17 Schools Within 10 Miles Of The Sand

There are a million different reasons to choose the college or university that is right for you with geography being one tiny factor in the larger equation. With that in mind, there’s something to be said with choosing a college in close proximity to the beach and other intangibles that can have a very real impact on one’s mood.

As an FSU alum, my alma mater is around 50 miles from Carrabelle Beach (which we never went to) and over two hours from PCB, which always felt odd because everyone in my life at FSU (myself included) grew up within a 5-20 minute drive of the beach. In hindsight, I think I would have really appreciated life at some of these schools below that rank among the closest colleges to the beach in the country.

Closest Colleges to the Beach: 17 Schools Within 10 Miles of the Beach

In ascending order, we have 17 of the closest colleges to the beach in America. It should come as no surprise that many are in Florida and California as both states have massive coastlines.

1. Texas A&M University — Corpus Christi

Arguably the closest college in the United States to the beach is the Corpus Christi campus of Texas A&M University. The campus has its own beach. In fact, they built that beach back in 2001 after much discussion around how the school was on the water but didn’t have a proper beach.

2. University of California — Santa Barbara

With less than a mile from the Campus Point Beach, the University of California at Santa Barbara is the second closest college in the country to the beach. You could make the argument that this school is smack dab on the beach, and I believe it is, but the powers that be argue it is within a mile.

3. Monmouth University

Sitting approximately one mile away from the Long Branch beaches is Monmouth University. This private New Jersey school has an 89% acceptance rate but is still ranked 13th regionally according to US News. Given that this is NJ, the beach certainly isn’t accessible throughout much of the actual school calendar but if there’s a will there is a way.

4. Point Loma Nazarene University

Sitting approximately one mile away from Kellogg Beach, Point Loma Nazarent University in California is the 4th closest college to the beach in the country. It is the #1 ranked Christian college in California and #6 Christian college in the US.

5. Florida Atlantic University

With the massive in-state university system here in Florida, FAU is often overshadowed by UF, FSU, Miami, USF, and UCF but FAU sits just 1.8 miles from Spanish River Beach and Palmetto Beach and it is in the heart of South Florida. Anyone looking for 300+ sunny days a year would be wise to check out FAU.

6. University of California – Santa Cruz

If the school has a surf team then chances are it is pretty close to the beach. That is true, of course, with UC-Santa Cruz which is two miles from Wilder Beach. In another timeline I would have absolutely loved to have gone to college in Santa Cruz.

7. Pepperdine University

One of the most beautiful (and expensive) colleges in the country, Pepperdine University sits approximately 2 miles from Malibu Lagoon State Beach. Pepperdine is a top 100 school in the US (#84 currently) and it consistently ranks in the top 20 most beautiful campuses in the United States.

8. University of Hawaii at Manoal

The University of Hawaii at Manoa is just 2 miles from Ala Moana Beach, and those are a short two miles. So much of Hawaiian life revolves around the water and it is hard to fathom a college experience at the University of Hawaii without being situated near the beach.

9. California State University — Long Beach

Just three miles away from the Long Beach City Beach sits Cal State Long Beach. It ranks #127 nationwide and #63 among public universities.

10. Hawaii Pacific University

Less than three and a half miles from the world famous Waikiki Beach sits Hawaii Pacific University. This school consistently ranks among the most diverse universities in the country with people coming from all over the country and globe to get their degree just a few miles from Waikiki.

11. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, often called just ‘Embry-Riddle,’ is located around 3.5 Miles from the Daytona Beach Boardwalk on Florida’s East Coast. Beach life is a huge part of everyday culture in this part of Florida and that is certainly accessible to every student at Embry-Riddle.

12. Lynn University

Lynn University in South Florida sits around 3.5 miles from the Spanish River Park and the South Beach Park beaches. Going a little bit further and you have pretty much every beach in South Florida at your finger tips. Lynn ranks among the top-5 most diverse schools in the US according to US News.

13. St. Mary’s College of Maryland

St. Mary’s College of Maryland sits around 4 miles from Elm’s Beach Park but is surrounded by water access in its unique location. It consistently ranks among the top liberal arts private schools in the country and is the #1 ranked small college in Maryland.

14. Eckerd College

Eckerd College in St. Pete, Florida is just a stone’s throw (5 miles) from the Don Cesar Hotel on St. Pete Beach and the beautiful white sand beaches of Florida’s Gulf Coast. To the East there’s Tampa Bay, to the South is the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. And I’ll be doing a triathlon just a few minutes away this time next month.

15. Loyola Marymount University

Loyola Marymount University sits around 6 miles from Playa Del Ray Beach in California. It is *this close* to the top 100 schools in the US, currently ranked #102. But going to school in Los Angeles certainly has its perks on top of being within skating distance of the beach.

16. College of Charleston

The College of Charleston is in the heart of Charleston but sits around 9-13 miles from multiple beaches. Sullivan’s Island and Folly Beach have that excellent Low Country Beach Vibe™ this part of the South is known for. C of C is a fantastic school choice for a thousand reasons, not least of which is the proximity to the beach.

17. Florida Gulf Coast University

Last but not least is Florida Gulf Coast University which is around 10 miles from Bonita Beach. Depending on the season, red tide might be an issue but that’s neither here nor there. Did I mention that there’s also a nearby park with a bar where you can bet on hermit crab racing? That’s as much as you could ask for in a college.

Bonus: Coastal Carolina University

I had to throw in Coastal Carolina University here as a bonus. It is only 11 miles from the sands of Myrtle Beach.