Coming in at no. five on Best College Review’s list of the 50 Best Colleges by the Sea, Florida Atlantic University is giving a whole new meaning to “making waves.”

“Going to a University that isn’t by the beach is like going to an 8 am class … It’s just not gonna happen,” said freshman electrical engineering major Max Wellnitz on the Florida Atlantic University Class of 2019 Facebook page.

Best College Review – an independent, online college review journal – judged each school on its proximity to a beach, marine educational centers, degrees and research facilities, along with recreational opportunities on the water.

FAU was beat out by Texas A&M at no. one, University of California Santa Barbara at no. two, along with University of California San Diego and Eckerd College coming in at third and fourth respectively.

“I think this is wonderful and spot on,” said Boca Raton campus governor Chris Ferreira, a senior political science and communications major. “My favorite beach is Palmetto.”

Located within five miles of several beaches, including Spanish River Beach and Palmetto Park Beach, FAU boasts having the only football stadium in the nation that you can see the Atlantic Ocean from.  

In 2006, the university opened the FAU/Harbor Branch Marine Sciences Building in Fort Pierce, Florida – a research institution offering courses ranging from marine biology to natural resources and environmental education.

Other Florida schools to make the list include Bethune-Cookman University, the Florida Institute of Technology, University of Miami, Flagler College and more (see below).

Emily Creighton is the features editor for the University Press. If you would like to contact her regarding this article or others, email her at [email protected].