It’s been cold at our Madison and Milwaukee locations, but other parts of the country (and their universities) have maintained much milder weather!
While factors like academics, social fit, and cost are huge considerations when researching colleges, location can also be an important part of building a college list. Some students include criteria regarding seasons, temperatures, and distance from home. If the current winter weather has you wishing for sun and heat, here are 5 colleges in warmer climates to consider.
College of Charleston:
Located in Charleston, South Carolina, the College of Charleston has a student body of nearly 11,000 undergraduates. It offers both the liberal arts/sciences and professional programs, with popular majors in biology, chemistry, psychology, and business. This urban campus is a great fit for students who want to experience “life in the city” during college, with great access to Charleston’s restaurants, shopping options, and rich history. The College of Charleston enjoys 209 sunny days per year and January average temperatures between 58℉ (high) and 39℉ (low).
University of Arizona:
The University of Arizona’s flagship campus in Tucson is a large public university with an enrollment of over 30,000 students. Reminiscent of UW-Madison without the snow, it has stand-out programs in astronomy, architecture, and biomedical engineering. Beyond offering out-of-state merit scholarships, Arizona’s warm temperatures (January averages between 39℉ and 66℉) and 286 sunny days per year are a big draw.
Tulane University:
Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, Tulane is known for natural science, environmental science, architecture, and the humanities. With 8500 undergraduates and proximity to a thriving arts and cultural scene, there are many reasons to consider Tulane. Service and social justice are important to Tulane, making it a great fit for those interested in community involvement. Students apply to the university generally and choose their major later, leaving room for exploration. New Orleans’ January average highs reach 62℉ with lows of 45℉ and a yearly average of 216 sunny days.
Occidental College:
When thinking of warm states, California jumps to mind! Occidental College offers the unique combination of a liberal arts education and a Los Angeles experience, one of the few small liberal arts colleges located in a huge city. It offers strong programs in economics, world affairs, psychology, and biology to its 1900 undergraduates. Those interested in post-undergraduate study should consider Oxy’s high acceptance rates at medical (89%), law, and graduate schools. Occidental’s 184 days of California sun and January average temperatures between 46℉-67℉ are hard to beat.
University of Miami:
Coral Gables, Florida is home to the University of Miami’s 12,000 undergraduates. Known for marine science, music, and business programs, UMiami provides access to Miami’s employers and beaches. The warmest school on this list, it experiences 249 days of sun per year and boasts an average January low of 61℉ and high of 75℉.
If warmer weather is calling you, use your next snow day to research these colleges and others in sunny locales!
Weather data from https://www.collegetransitions.com/dataverse/weather-data-by-college/.
