As you choose a college or university as an international student, the most important criteria should include your budget, safety, and education and program quality. Once you’ve narrowed your list, it’s also important to think about what kind of community you’ll thrive in. Are you thinking of studying in Canada or in the United States? It is possible to study in beautiful places where sun and sand meet. Many of North America’s best colleges and universities are in coastal cities! Whether you’re a cold-water surfer, beach volleyball player, or happiest with an umbrella, book, and a blanket (when you’re not in class), check out our list of the best student cities by the beach in North America.
Not sure where you’d like to study abroad? Take our quiz to see which top study abroad destination fits your goals and personality!
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Los Angeles
When you think about beaches in North America, Los Angeles likely comes to mind. California’s largest city by population is home to some of North America’s most popular beaches. These include Venice Beach, Santa Monica, and Laguna Beach. As long as you don’t mind being around a lot of people, there’s lots to do!
Besides its beautiful coastlines, Los Angeles is home to world-class universities including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Plus, in 2022 Los Angeles climbed 18 spots to sit at the 37th most livable city in the world, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Global Liveability Index. No matter what you’re looking for, LA has a beach and school for you!
Curious about studying in California? Learn more about Los Angeles-area academic institutions here.
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Vancouver
Vancouver may not get as warm as cities in Southern California, but it’s still a great place to study and hit the beach. In fact, with the North Shore mountains nearby, sometimes you can enjoy sun, sand, and snow all in the same day! This west coast Canadian city has some excellent beaches, including English Bay and Kitsilano Beach.
Vancouver also ranked #5 on the EIU’s Global Liveability Index 2022, joining fellow Canadian cities Toronto and Calgary on the study’s top-ten-list of the world’s most livable cities. Vancouver also ranks high in education, scoring 100.0 on the EIU’s section index.
These six Vancouver-area schools should be on your study-abroad radar!
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Miami
When it comes to North American beach cities, Miami is hard to beat. Located in southern Florida, the state itself has year-round sunshine and over 825 miles of white and golden sand beaches. Miami is the warmest place to be in the continental US in winter, and a true cultural hub, with one of the most diverse populations in the United States.
Although it has earned a reputation as a party city, Miami is still a great destination for international students. The University of Miami is one of the oldest colleges in Florida, and has well-respected law, medicine, and oceanography programs. Florida International University is another top institution and is highly respected for its graduate research.
Have your sights set on Florida? Learn more about universities in Miami here!
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New York
Winters can be chilly, but in the summer, New York‘s one of the best student cities by the beach! You’ll have to travel out of town to see them, but New York City is located near some wonderful east coast beaches. Asbury Park and Rockaway Beach have classic boardwalks full of fun activities and tasty food. Want to travel a little further out? Go to Coopers Beach in Southampton. It was ranked the third-best beach in the US in 2022.
New York City is also widely recognized as one of the best places to study in the United States. Thousands of international students come to the Big Apple every year, drawn by its excellent academic institutions and vibrant culture. Could you be next?
New York is a bold and exciting city! It can also take time to get used to. Check out our guide for ways to adapt to a new culture as an international student.
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San Diego
California has lots of beach cities to study in, and San Diego is hard to beat when it comes to beach quality. San Diego has been called “America’s Finest City” because of its warm climate, and has over 70 miles of coastline. And it’s one of the safest cities in the US, with a crime rate 15% below the national average.
The city is home to the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego), whose postgraduate programs regularly rank in the national top-25 list published yearly by US News & World Report. Plus, their beach credibility is solid: in 2018, Surfer Magazine ranked UC San Diego as #1 on its list of Top 10 Surf Colleges. (Want to pick up surfing? Learn from the best: the university’s surf team has won six national championships!)
Are you a California dreamer? Learn more about San Diego-area institutions.
We hope this list has inspired you to start your study abroad journey! Whether on North America’s east, west, or southern coasts, there’s a student city by the beach that’s waiting for you.
Looking for study abroad support? Connect with the team at ApplyBoard; we’re here to help.
