High school guidance counselors are great at providing insight for life after the 12th grade. They’re usually well versed on which colleges offer programs aimed towards your ideal career path. Sure, they can rattle off majors, tuitions, GPAs and SAT scores until they’re blue in the face. That’s all well and good for your parents, but chances are your real questions still go unanswered.

“How is the nightlife?” “Is the student body a lively bunch or are they all pocket-protector wearing nerds?” And, most importantly for us surfers, “Is there pumping surf nearby?”

Top 10 lists are a bit passé, but Surfline took the liberty of helping you in your search for higher education (and larger waves) by compiling the 10 best surf schools in America. Read on and make your decision wisely…after all, you only have four years (or more, depending) where you can create your own schedule.

Already graduated? Check out our list of the best jobs for surfers.

University of California, San Diego

PROXIMITY AND ACCESS TO SURF: As long as you can handle a hike and don’t have an incurable pointbreak fetish, you can ditch your car for a bike as long as you live on campus. UCSD is set back a few hundred yards from the cliffs overlooking Blacks Beach, widely regarded as one of the best sand-bottom A-frames in California.

SURF CLASS(ES): For sure. They’re offered through the Rec Department.

SURF TEAM: Oh yeah. The UCSD surf team holds multiple national titles.

SURFING PROFESSORS: Who says surfers are a bunch of dummies? UCSD has enough surfing MENSA candidates to clog up the lineup at Windansea, including: (now retired) Ed Hutchins, Beacons local, Professor of Cognitive Science, MacArthur Fellowship recipient and president of the UCSD Surf Club in 1968; Jim Hollan, Professor of Cognitive Science; the late Paul Saltman, former Professor of Biology and college provost; David Sandwell, Professor of Geophysics; Greg Mitchell, Associate Research Biologist; Ralph Keeling, Associate Professor of Geochemistry; Sam Iacobellis, Assistant Research Meteorologist.

SURFING ALUMNI: There’s at least one in every yearbook, but here’s a short list: Ricky Grigg, big-wave pioneer and Professor of Oceanography at the University of Hawaii; Rusty Preisendorfer, founder of Rusty Surfboards and Clothing; Tom O’Keefe, founder of Red X Fin Systems; Isabelle Tihanyi, founder of Surf Divas surf school; Mark Massara, Sierra Club figurehead; Bolton Colburn, current chief curator of the Laguna Art Museum; the late Chris Bystrom, surf filmmaker; Rob Gilley and John Bilderback, premier surf photographers; Benicio Del Toro (OK, he doesn’t surf, but the dude won an Oscar, for Pete’s sake); Geoff Rashe, shaper of M-10 surfboards in Santa Cruz; Charles Golden, PhD graduate in Marine Geophysics and current golf club designer at Taylormade/Adidas; Scott Bass, online editor at Surfermag.com; Allen Johnson; Garth Engelhorn; Holly Beck (former NSSA national champ); Sean Hayes (Ventura legend and Pipe charger); Jake Wormhoudt (Maverick’s charger); Evan Slater (former editor, Surfing magazine); Lewis Samuels (Surfline’s Power Rankers author); Rex Picket (writer, Sideways); Gerry Kantor (Leucadia Surf School); Loryn Wilson; Zach Plopper; Edward Graham; Tim Lynch.

HOW HARD TO GET IN: Comparable to a 6-foot triple-up behind the boil at Big Rock: good luck. Average high school GPA: 4.04 – 4.28.

KNOWN CURRICULUM: Everything that is right-brained. Biochemistry, Biology, pre-med… if you’re an aspiring numbers person, you’ll fit into the equation.

ANIMAL HOUSE/PARTY FACTOR: Compared to its crazy sister, San Diego State, UCSD is all highwaters, pocket protectors and Coke-bottle glasses.

MALE/FEMALE RATIO: 53/47

COST (in-state/out-of-state): $14,273/$28,014 (not including room and board).

EXTRA CREDIT: “It’s kind of weird,” says Allen Johnson, who transferred from Florida Institute of Technology and graduated from UCSD in 1990. “But the fact that Blacks is right there almost improves your work ethic. If you miss a good swell because of your studies, you always know that a good day of surf is right around the corner.”

DEMERITS: Due to the workload, missing that “good day of surf” easily can turn into weeks, months… even semesters. Remember: when in doubt, paddle out. There’s always summer school.

ADDRESS/CONTACT: 9500 Gilman Drive 0021, La Jolla, CA 92093-0021; Phone: 858-534-4831; www.ucsd.edu or e-mail at [email protected]

Other top surfing colleges in the San Diego area include Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego State, Mira Costa College, and Cal State San Marcos.

University of California, Santa Cruz

PROXIMITY AND ACCESS TO SURF: Five minutes from high-performance hotbed Steamer Lane, 20 minutes from some of best reefbreaks in Central California and, if you’re really into higher learning, an hour’s drive from the coldwater behemoths of Maverick’s. It’s probably the single most diverse surf area in the state.

SURF CLASS(ES): You bet. UC Santa Cruz offers four beginner classes per quarter along with an intermediate class and a special spring break Baja Trip. You’ve got to be on it to register, though. As the Rec Department’s Kathy Ferrero says, “People show up as early as 4 a.m. for open registration — we open at 9 and all the spots are usually gone by 10.” The majority of registrants are women. Cost is $89 for the class, which includes transportation, wetsuit, booties and board.

SURF TEAM: For the last several years, the UCSC surf team has been doing quite well; in 2009, member Daniel Shea placed first at NSSA State Championships and the team competed at Nationals.

SURFING PROFESSORS: Joe Collins (Sociology professor and author, presently retired).

SURFING ALUMNI: Dan Duane, author of Caught Inside; Scooter Leonard, former editor Surfing Magazine; Wingnut, movie star, longboarder; David Giddings, former pro surfer; Sarah Gerhardt, Maverick’s hellwoman and grad student who got her PhD in physical chemistry; Jeremy Sherwin; Kim Mayer; Kyla Langen; Daniel Shea; Nate Zoller.

HOW HARD TO GET IN: Comparable to mid-size Middle Peak at Steamer Lane. Average GPA: 3.5.

KNOWN CURRICULUM: While UCSC’s known primarily for its fairly radical academic stance and liberal arts, surfers should also note it has a fantastic marine biology department, with marine labs along the very alive north Pacific.

ANIMAL HOUSE/PARTY FACTOR: Well, if you like psychedelic spinning through the redwoods on full-moon nights, then UCSC’s for you. You won’t find much of the Budweiser/Marlboro crowd, though — you need to go to the Lane for that.

MALE/FEMALE RATIO: 47/53

COST (in-state/out-of-state): $11,220/$37,902

EXTRA CREDIT: Apart from being right next to some of the best surf in the freaking world, let alone California, you get a progressive, democratic, self-directed education. As Scooter Leonard says, “You actually shop for classes — the first day, you can go around and check out 25 classes and then decide what you want.”

DEMERITS: Get used to hearing, “Go home, Slug!” — especially when all the Vermin are out at the Lane. And if you’re not a self-motivator, you may fall behind.

ADDRESS/CONTACT: 1156 High Street Santa Cruz, CA 95064; Phone: 831-459-0111; www.ucsc.edu

California Polytechnic State University

PROXIMITY AND ACCESS TO SURF: Head south fifteen minutes and Pismo Beach welcomes you with open arms. Head north fifteen minutes and the locals of Morro Bay might not be so inviting.

SURF CLASS(ES): Yep, learn to plow your own log in their shaping class. And if that’s not enough, some of the Central Coast’s heavier breaks will surely teach you a lesson.

SURF TEAM: Yep. Although not as competitive savvy as the UCSB or UCSD squads, Cal Poly’s teams compete in the NSSA Interscholastic divisions.

SURFING ALUMNI: Cayucos charger Chad Jackson; pro surfer/shaper/musician Shane Stoneman; Florida transplant Chris Baiata; Nick Cooper teaches the shaping classes.

HOW HARD TO GET IN: Not as easy as the gentle Pismo rollers. But like a Central Coast slab, it’s well worth the effort. Average high school GPA: 4.04.

KNOWN CURRICULUM: Just like the surrounding areas, Cal Poly is most known for their agriculture. But the business, engineering, science and liberal arts programs are gaining equal ground on the tree-huggers.

ANIMAL HOUSE/PARTY FACTOR: Downtown SLO has plenty of bars and a great local music scene. Stroll down Higuera Street on a sunny spring afternoon and there will be plenty of lovely co-eds shopping for their weekend attire.

MALE/FEMALE RATIO: 53/47

COST (in-state/out-of-state): $9,432/$21,312

EXTRA CREDIT: If you have the time and the gas money, Central California has plenty of rideable waves to be found. And if the surf is flat, there are countless outdoor activities to keep you occupied.

DEMERITS: Springtime is windy and freezing and the summers aren’t anything to hang around for. If pick-up truck driving farmers give you the creeps and wide-open farmland isn’t appealing, head to a more urban school.

ADDRESS/CONTACT: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, (805) 756-1111

University of California, Santa Barbara

PROXIMITY AND ACCESS TO SURF: Well, there’s Campus Point right fricken there, Rincon 30 minutes away and Central Coast beachbreaks in 60 minutes or less.

SURF CLASS(ES): You bet. UCSB offers History of Surfing, Geography of Surfing, and (get this) Field Study in Surfing. These classes fill up very rapidly.

SURF TEAM: Heck yes. Learn more here.

SURFING PROFESSORS: Kip Fulbeck, Asian-American studies/Art; Michael Arntz, Art; Mike McGinnis, Coastal Management; Nancy Clayton, Rec Department; Horia Metiu, Chemistry; Patrick Johnson, Biology.

SURFING ALUMNI: Steve Hawk, former Editor of Surfer Magazine; Jon Roseman, Tavarua Resort owner; Lance Harriman, Maverick’s hellperson; Jack Johnson, Backdoor charger, talented musician, surf media darling; Ron Triplett, Monterey Bay local, marriage and family therapist; J.J. Rhodes, stylish vegan goofyfoot; Josh Pomer, Videographer, Shawn Kelly, Oxnard-based grad student, former semi-pro; Sean O’Toole; Rory Rever; Bart Templeman; Liz Clarke; Sean Walker; Todd Walsh, inventor of Surf Stronger.

HOW HARD TO GET IN: Comparable to 6-foot, low-tide Rivermouth at Rincon — if you persevere, you’ll usually score. Average GPA: 3.96.

KNOWN CURRICULUM: Marine Biology program; it’s also known for Business Economics.

ANIMAL HOUSE/PARTY FACTOR: “Everyone rides bikes around and surfs…it’s a really kick-back place,” says Sean O’Toole. Plus, Isla Vista’s been known to host the occasional keg party.

MALE/FEMALE RATIO: 47/53

COST (in-state/out-of-state): $14,409/$42,423 (not including room and board).

EXTRA CREDIT: Alexis Copeland, UCSB alumni who’s now working at Monterey Peninsula College says, “Well, apart from being able to live within view of Campus Point, it’s great ’cause Isla Vista’s actually a college town; you don’t really get that on the West Coast.”

DEMERITS: “It’s flat a lot,” Ron Triplett says. “You’ve gotta be prepared to do some driving if you want to surf all the time.” Rory Rever adds, “Surfing on campus can be… troublesome, with all the folks just learning to surf and stuff.”

ADDRESS/CONTACT: 1210 Cheadle Hall, Santa Barbara, CA 93106; Phone: 805-893-2881; www.ucsb.edu

University of Hawaii

PROXIMITY AND ACCESS TO SURF: Biking distance to the lefts at Publics; an hour car ride to the waves of your life on the North Shore.

SURF CLASS(ES): There are learn-to-surf classes, Ben Finney covers Polynesian and surfing history in one of his Anthropology classes and Ricky Grigg covers surf forecasting in an Oceanography class. Dr. Steven Businger has been known to teach surf forecasting labs from time to time as well.

SURF TEAM: No official surf team, but as former student Casey Morris points out, “There’s the Hui — thank you for sharing your Island and your waves.”

SURFING PROFESSORS: Ricky Grigg (Oceanography); Roger Lucas (Oceanography); Eric Firing (Oceanography); Ben Finney (Anthropology), Dr. Steven Businger (Meteorology).

SURFING ALUMNI: Fred Hemmings, State Senator; Paul Strauch, ’60s stylist; Peter Cole, North Shore legend; Nainoa Thompson, Regent and Polynesian Navigation expert, Sean Lopez (Gerry’s nephew); Sue Brown; the Kanialii family; Leilani Patacchia (Fred’s sister); Mike and Peter Miller.

HOW HARD TO GET IN: Comparable to 6-foot, West Peak Sunset Beach: it takes commitment but it’s manageable. Average high school GPA: 3.5.

KNOWN CURRICULUM: International Business classes are superior, so is their Meteorology department; they also have a solid law school program, a great art program.

ANIMAL HOUSE/PARTY FACTOR: Did someone say, “luau?” They sell beer on campus and you can even use your meal card for it.

MALE/FEMALE RATIO: 46/54

COST (in-state/out-of-state): $11,732/$33,764 (not including room and board).

EXTRA CREDIT: You’re right in the cradle of surfing civilization and an hour from the North Shore. Be sure to take a field trip to the Bishop Museum. Oh, and the food’s good, too. As Casey Morris says, “the L&L Chicken Katsu plate lunch is all you need.”

DEMERITS: Those post-exam trips to Femme Nu have a tendency to burn up the limited finances faster than a struggling dot-com. Plus, you’re still trying to shatter stereotypes — even in Hawaii. “There’s an elitism in academia that’s unfortunate,” says Ricky Grigg. “If you’re a surfer, you almost have to work harder to prove yourself.”

ADDRESS/CONTACT: 2600 Campus Road, SSC Room 001 Honolulu, HI 96822; Phone: 808-956-8975; www.uhm.hawaii.edu

University of North Carolina, Wilmington

PROXIMITY AND ACCESS TO SURF: Welcome to Mid-Atlantic surfing’s most-happening epicenter. Although Ben Bourgeois was never a student, the former WCT pro raised the bar for all the surf-hungry students who flock to UNCW, turning the area’s warm, inconsistent and crowded coastline into a serious talent pool just 10 minutes from campus; a soul-filled weekend of Hatteras barrels waits four hours away.

SURF CLASS(ES): Not unless you’re skipping.

SURF TEAM: Yep, and a club for those non-competitive types.

SURFING PROFESSORS: Dr. John Bennett, Physical Education; Bill Atwell, English professor; Wade Watanabe, Marine Aquaculture research professor.

SURFING ALUMNI: Matt Beacham, Outer Banks charger and photo pro; Johnny McDanel, uses his MBA as a Mid-Atlantic surf rep; Surfrider Foundation’s National Environmental Programs Manager Mark Rauscher; Research Associate and diver for Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology Katie Lang; Marine Geologist Chris Freeman; East Coast surf journos Matt Pruett (Surfline) and Anne Beasley-Weber; plus a slew of renowned NC rippers like Dean and Pat McManus, Ben Szafron, Tony Butler and Cameron Pearson, Mitch Baker; John Dodson; Pete Viele; Trent Barkley; Jed Galloway; Justin Brown; Brian Braithwaite; plus surf photog D.J. Struntz was there to record all the action.

HOW HARD TO GET IN: Just like Wrightsville Beach: lots of people fighting for space, but if you got the goods, you’ll make the cut. Average GPA: 3.80-4.43.

KNOWN CURRICULUM: Marine Biology department is world-renowned; Environmental Science and Recreation are popular with surfers; Cameron School of Business is noteworthy. “We [Surfers] all start as Marine Biology majors and then after a week we realize how smart you have to be and how long you have to go to school and then we switch to PE or something really weak like English or Journalism.” — Matt Pruett, Surfline

ANIMAL HOUSE/PARTY FACTOR: Although UNCW has outgrown its party reputation in many cases, there’s still plenty of bar-brewed debauchery, mostly polarized between downtown Wilmington — which provides celebrity sightings courtesy of the local movie studio — and the beach strip’s separate block of favorites for the surfing populace.

MALE/FEMALE RATIO: 38/62 (“The most beautiful girls in the world live in Wilmington.” — Matt Pruett)

COST (in-state/out-of-state): $7,048/$21,064 (not including room and board).

EXTRA CREDIT: “UNCW has everything — a beach, a killer downtown, an artsy side and dance clubs, and a large group of young people. Plus, there’s all kinds of girls surfing there.” — Anne Beasley-Weber.

DEMERITS: “Crowds are a problem in the warmer months, and it’s expensive to live right on the beach.” — Jason Carlisi

ADDRESS/CONTACT: 601 South College Rd., Wilmington, NC 28403; Phone: 910 962-3000; www.uncwil.edu

University of Rhode Island

PROXIMITY AND ACCESS TO SURF: When there’s swell, you’re looking at a 25-minute drive to Ruggles, one of the best righthand points on the East Coast.

SURF CLASS(ES): Sorry, you’re on your own.

SURF TEAM: There’s a surf club consisting of 30 surfers who meet, watch videos when it’s flat and take a spring break trip to Hatteras.

SURFING PROFESSORS: Gerry Krause, Marine Affairs.

SURFING ALUMNI: Mark Sackett, San Diego KUSI news camera guy; Tim Swart, Marketing Director, Zoo York; Charlie Donadio, founder of URI surf club and owner of the Block Island High Speed Ferry; John Capobianco, Manhattan real-estate agent; Henry Payne; Jay Brown; Nick Papa.

HOW HARD TO GET IN: Comparable to a head-high day at Point Judith: not free, but easy. Average high school GPA: 3.45.

KNOWN CURRICULUM: Excellent pre-professional programs. Psychology, Pharmacology, and Human Development/Family Studies are most common.

ANIMAL HOUSE/PARTY FACTOR: In the early ’90’s, URI was ranked by Playboy as the second best party school in the States, but now it’s a dry campus. But when asked, an anonymous sophomore deadpans: “Yeah, we party here.”

MALE/FEMALE RATIO: 46/54

COST (in-state/out-of-state): $13,792/$30,042 (not including room and board).

EXTRA CREDIT: The East Coast’s best pointbreaks are within easy striking distance, and it’s not bogged down in academia. “If you’re an average student who wants to live and surf on the East Coast, URI’s not a bad choice,” says Tim Swart.

DEMERITS: “Some of the older Narragansett locals don’t like college blow-ins so much,” says Warm Winds surf shop’s Brian Kelley. And if the locals aren’t icy enough, the mid-winter water temps will certainly do the trick. Can you say, “brain freeze?”

ADDRESS/CONTACT: 8 Ranger Road, Suite 1 Kingston, RI 02881-2020; Phone: 401-874-1000; www.uri.edu

Pepperdine University

PROXIMITY AND ACCESS TO SURF: Perched on the hill between Malibu and Zuma, Pepperdine is a private “Christian institution” and central headquarters for Los Angeles’ good side. You’re a five-minute drive from Third Point, a five-minute run up the PCH from the bonecrunchers at Westward and Zuma and — since many northwest swells ignore the immediate area — you’re only 30 minutes from Ventura County beachbreaks and 40 minutes away from Rincon.

SURF CLASS(ES): Surfing classes offered as physical education.

SURF TEAM: Like most things in LA, the team has seen its ups and downs; it was up in the ’90, down towards the early 2000s, and brought back to life by Jacob Boone and Brian Dapelo in 2003.

SURFING PROFESSORS: The soccer coach, Tim Ward, is a surfer.

SURFING ALUMNI: Richard Woolcott, founder and CEO of Volcom clothing; Paul White, former International Sales Manager for Volcom clothing; Allen Sarlo, Real Estate agent (Sarlo transferred after two years); John LaLane, pool cleaner; Takuji Masuda, Japanese artist/longboarder/surf magazine publisher; Mika Rutiz; Graham Monroe; Zack Nielsen; Austin Trujillo; Matt Ryan; Larry Birnbaum; Jeremy Black.

HOW HARD TO GET IN: Comparable to an Oxnard beachbreak on a strong Santa Ana day. Average high school GPA: 3.59-4.0.

KNOWN CURRICULUM: They get down to business at Pepperdine. With its reputable law school, Pepperdine also is famous for churning out a lot of lawyers.

ANIMAL HOUSE/PARTY FACTOR: “Compared to UCLA or USC, we’re pretty quiet,” says Pepperdine alum/surfer Mika Rutiz. “But we had our parties. The girls get sick of all the frat guys and came to us.”

MALE/FEMALE RATIO: 41/59

COST: $49,770 (Gulp).

EXTRA CREDIT: If you have an affinity for the birthplace of California high-performance surfing, there isn’t a better school. Plus, with few breaks during the academic year, your summer vacation starts on April 25.

DEMERITS: A frequently polluted Santa Monica Bay and three required religion courses are definite buzz kills, but the price tag tends to be the biggest downer. “A lot of kids will contact me, asking about the school and its surf team,” says Hahn. “But as soon as I tell them about the tuition, they’re, like, ‘Uhhh, never mind.'”

ADDRESS/CONTACT: 24255 PCH, Malibu, CA 90263-4392; Phone: 310.506.4000; www.pepperdine.edu or e-mail at [email protected]

Humboldt State University

PROXIMITY AND ACCESS TO SURF: You can see the ocean from campus, but you have to drive a half-hour either north or south to score coldwater pits.

SURF CLASS(ES): Yep. The new surfing class has become the Center Activities’ most popular time slot.

SURF TEAM: Nope. “If you want to wear a jersey and hang out on the cliff with all your bros, you might as well stay in Santa Cruz,” remarks one anonymous source. “It’s the NorCal code of silence.”

SURFING PROFESSORS: Richard Langford, Psychology.

SURFING ALUMNI: Marcos Cortez, teacher, SF Bay Area; Anders Olson, UC Santa Cruz employee; Mike Kew, freelance surf journalist; James Harkins.

HOW HARD TO GET IN: Comparable to a sunny, shoulder-high, offshore Fall day at an unnamed NorCal beachbreak. Average high school GPA: 3.22.

KNOWN CURRICULUM: Known primarily for Natural Resources, Forestries and Fisheries.

ANIMAL HOUSE/PARTY FACTOR: “Hello,” laughs alumnus Vibeke Seymour. “I mean, HIGH…” One local who wishes to remain anonymous adds, “Everybody’s pretty low key up here, because everybody grows dope. Really good dope.”

MALE/FEMALE RATIO: 44/56

COST (in-state/out-of-state): $7,494/$19,374 (not including room and board).

EXTRA CREDIT: “When there’s no swell or it’s too big, you can just go for a walk through one of the redwood forests — they’re amazing,” says Seymour.

DEMERITS: “When I was there, I heard about people getting chased out of the water by white sharks — WEEKLY,” says Cortez.

ADDRESS/CONTACT: 1 Harpst Street, Arcata CA, 95521-8299; Phone: (707) 826-3011; www.humboldt.edu

Florida Institute of Technology

PROXIMITY AND ACCESS TO SURF: You’re only 35-40 minutes away from the most recognized break in East Coast surfing, Sebastian Inlet. (Actually, catching a wave at First Peak may take significantly longer.)

SURF CLASS(ES): There’s a Surf Engineering Analysis course, Meteorology and Oceanography programs; but there are also plenty of informal lessons going down at Sebastian.

SURF TEAM: FIT’s surf team competes in the NSSA South/NE conference, and typically makes it all the way to Nationals.

SURFING PROFESSORS: Most of the Ocean Engineering faculty including Drs. Geoff Swain, Eric Thosteson (adjunct since 2007); and Dr. Rob van Woesik in Biological Sciences (Marine Bio); plus Dr. David Hott, PhD (Business).

SURFING ALUMNI: Three-time US National Team Member Albert Munoz, Chris Harmon, Matt Vecere, Jesse Spooner, Pat Rafter, Sander Banta, former East Coast Champion Barry Pasonski; surf photographer Donald Cresitello; Surfline forecasters Charlie Hutcherson, Katie Spagnolo, and Surfline Science Manager Sam Wilson.

HOW HARD TO GET IN: Not quite a First Peak bomb, but you’ll still have to show some skills — and some dough. Average GPA: 3.63.

KNOWN CURRICULUM: Meteorology; aviation management; electrical engineering and computer engineering are most popular. Ocean Engineering is a favorite among surfers with lots of classes in waves and wave theory.

ANIMAL HOUSE/PARTY FACTOR: “There’s a huge international community, so there’s a lot of small French and Spanish parties, a few off-campus bar scenes. You basically end up meeting a close group of friends and hanging with them for a long time.” — Donald Cresitello. There’s also nearby downtown Melbourne, if you’re looking for night out on the town.

MALE/FEMALE RATIO: 70/30 (“Freshman year, you still think you have a chance with the girls, but you wake up pretty quick.” — Albert Munoz.)

COST: $36,696 (not including room and board).

EXTRA CREDIT: If you’re still determined on scoring a surfing career past the age of 18, Sebastian’s the best spot on the East Coast to make a name for yourself. And if that fails, you can always — eeek! — fall back on your education since most of FIT’s students find quality jobs, especially in the coastal engineering and oceanography departments.

DEMERITS:“There’s a lot to go in the anti column: the amount of time you spend looking at a book is one, but it’s mostly the party scene. There’s only 3000 people here, so we’ve narrowed it down to getting all the kids into a single room so they can have fun.” — Albert Munoz.

ADDRESS /CONTACT: 150 West University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901-6975 ; Phone: 321-674-8000; www.fit.edu

Know a college worthy of making this list? Drop it in the comments below.